HOW MUCH DOES A NEW FRONT DOOR COST?

If you're searching for new front door costs because you want to replace your front door then you need to consider exactly what you need.

You might see other websites offering a list of front door prices but there's a lot of factors to consider that you need to know before you can start to compare quotes from suppliers.

A new front door cost is dependent on many factors ranging from material, style, size and custom made options.

Looking at industry standard prices, a new front door cost would be:

• For supply only of a basic white uPVC door* the new front door cost is £250+*
• For supply and installation of a basic white uPVC door the new front door cost is £800+*
• Timber and composite doors can cost anything from £1,500 to £2,000 and more.

*Note, these are average industry prices for a door not including the frame and not Everest list prices.

The most important thing to consider when searching for new front door costs is what are you actually getting for your money?

Most quotes for front door prices will only cover the door slab - that means just the basic door. It doesn't include any door furniture (letterboxes), frame or even the hinges.

Our front door prices cover a full door set - that means you get everything from the frame to a choice of furnishings and even a spare set of keys for the multi-point locking system.

How to choose a front door

As you start your search for a new front door, you might be wondering what type of door would best suit your needs. Every home is different with specific requirements: 'one size does not fit all'.

The first thing to consider is the aesthetic of your home as the wrong style of door can actually devalue a house.

Fitting a contemporary design, or a fully glazed door in a traditional period property would be a mistake as buyers demand traditional timber doors in black, red or dark blue.

Read about what are the best front door colours for different styles of houses.

When choosing a new front door we recommend taking expert advice from a specialist supplier – local joiners or handymen are not always the best people to offer style tips!

Cost to replace front door UK 2020

Although other websites offer lists of premade front door prices we don't list prices because there are so many variables in size and style combinations. We don't sell off-the-shelf sizes because every door we make is custom fit to ensure a precision fit with no tolerance for gaps that cause draughts.

To achieve this perfect fit, when we supply a door it includes the full frame as standard - known as a door set. So, when you compare costs, make sure the front door price is for a door set.

We recommend that you only consider a new front door cost from a reputable supplier that has been to your property to survey your needs and produced a quote specifically for your needs.

To answer the question, how much does a new front door cost, we've provided a guide that shows you how different options affect the cost of a new front door.

uPVC door prices

Unplasticised PolyVinyl Chloride (uPVC) in white is the most economical choice of material for a front door.

When uPVC doors were launched in the UK in the eighties, they became vastly popular and widely adopted as the front door of choice – mainly due to the maintenance-free nature as the first real option to replace timber.

The reputation of earlier versions of cheaper uPVC doors suffered because of a flaw with their locking system (that has since been replaced) but with issues resolved they continue to be a widely popular choice of front door.

Just beware of cheaper uPVC that is inferior quality and will discolour and warp over time.

uPVC door prices start at an average of £250 supply only or £800 including installation (door only, not including the frame).

Composite door prices

Composite doors are constructed from a combination of materials to make a strong door that doesn't weather and needs no maintenance. They've become the most popular alternative to uPVC. Read more about What is a composite door?

Composite doors are made from a skin of Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) also known as fibreglass that is fused to a double internal frame of uPVC and hardwood. GRP is used on fishing boats so it's super resilient and hard-wearing.

One of the benefits of composite is the thermal properties that come from their polyurethane foam injected into the core that make an energy-efficient door.

Are composite doors more expensive than uPVC? Yes, composite door prices are more expensive than uPVC, but if you balance the expected lifetime of 35 years then over time, a composite door is worth it and a solid investment.

Composite door prices are 50% more than white uPVC.

Other options that affect new front door costs

Apart from the material the front door is made from, there are other options and extras that impact on the front door cost.

• Frame – it's preferable to install a new frame and door at the same to get a perfect fit, for the integrity of the locks and longevity.
• Design – there's a wide variety of options for front doors and a plain basic slab door will cost less than a stable door or a door with decorative glazed panels.
• Furniture – prices quoted online often don't take into consideration the extras such as letterboxes, door knockers and handles.
• Colour/finish – plain white is the basic cheapest option for a door and other colours can cost more. A woodgrain effect on a uPVC door is also an additional cost.
• Glazing – all glazing is not the same and you should look out for the WER rating of A, A+ or even the triple glazed A+++ that measures the energy efficiency. A lot of cheap front doors might only quote on B rated glass.
• Locking – again there's a lot of variety with locking systems. SmartLocks use keycards, key fobs or your phone app to open the door. A uPVC door should have anti-snap locks and any door should be accredited with the Secured by Design standard that means it passed a stringent 15-minute forced entry attempt.
• Installation – most quotes for a new front door cost will only cover a supply only cost. Fitting a front door isn't straightforward and it's not always advised to DIY. To get a guaranteed precision fit you should use a specialist supplier registered with a competent person scheme.

Are glass front doors safe?

Aluminium doors have a slim frame and a large area of double glazed glass – they look like mini patio doors. Usually used for back doors or side entrance doors, some people do choose to have a glazed front door.

uPVC and composite doors both can have the options of glazed portals, half-glazed door, double panel glazing or a full panel glaze.

The main worry about a glazed door is how strong is the glass? A double glazed panel can withstand a considerable amount of force and triple glazed portals are even more difficult to break. Building regulations also state that any glazing in a door less than 1500mm from the floor must be toughened glass for safety reasons.

The other area of risk is having a window adjacent to the door (or in the door) where the glass can be broken and then the lock operated from reaching round. Double cylinder locks can't be opened in this way.

A glass front door is safe if it's double or triple glazed and has a PAS24 locking system or a Secured by Design standard.

Do front doors need to be fire rated?

As a rule, a front door for a house that is a direct route to the outside doesn't need to be fire rated. BUT, this can be dependent on the proximity of the boundary and the distance of adjacent buildings. We recommend reading here.

Apartments, flats and properties accessed through a common area must have fire rated front doors to stop the spread of fire between properties. They must also have a thumb-operated lock on the inside of the door for means of escape.

Front door fitting cost

Most lists online for new front door costs will be a supply only price of the door and it's important to also consider the front door installation cost.

When fitting a new front door, you have several options:

• Use a local joiner or handyman - from £25 per hour
• Do it yourself - free
• Use a door manufacturer who installs - can be free with a door set

A local joiner might be the first consideration for most people at a reasonable cost but they will be purchasing an off-the-shelf door and then retrofitting to the space you have.

Properties usually shift over time and door frames drop or twist and this means the space to fit the door isn't a neat opening with square corners.

Timber doors are more forgiving for fitting as they can be trimmed with a plane to get an accurate fit.

uPVC and composite doors are much less forgiving as they can't be trimmed to fit with a plane.

A company who measures and makes your door to fit will ensure your door will open and close perfectly, not rattle in the frame and not have any gaps that let in draughts.

A front door fitting cost for a local joiner would be from £25 an hour but they can take considerably longer to fit the door than a specialist company who manufacture the door and frame offsite.

DIY can seem like a cheap option, but fitting a front door isn't always the straightforward job you might think. Your door must be fitted properly to be fully secure and to ensure you don't have future problems if the door drops and won't open and close properly.

A specialist door fitting company will offer a front door cost that includes a survey, a bespoke door made to measure and installation. Often, the installation will work out free if you factor in the cost of the materials.

How long does it take to fit a new front door?

If you're having your main front door replaced, it's unacceptable to be overnight without a door for obvious reasons. And, this would be the main reason to not try and replace the door yourself.

Delays to fitting a new front door happen when problems with the sizing of the door arise and this is where enthusiastic DIY'ers can come unstuck.

A specialist supplier will survey your property, measure the space and custom build the door and frame offsite before they install. This reduces any margin for error and installation very rarely comes up against a serious issue that would leave you without a front door for more than a day.

To fit a new front door should take a few hours, between half a day up to a full day for a complicated installation. But never overnight.

Does the door frame need to be replaced at the same time?

When replacing a door into an existing frame, you can struggle to get a perfect fit. Frames drop and warp over time and this makes it a challenge to introduce a new door.

No - if the frame is in good condition and replacing a door like-for-like then fitting a door without a new frame could be an option. But, you might need to move hinges or door latches and this could leave large ugly gaps in the frame. These can be filled and painted but they might compromise the integrity of the frame.

Yes - if your door frame has become damaged (for example, after a forced entry) you must replace the frame. The frame is integral to the strength of the door and contributes to its resistance so it's essential to maintain the integrity of the door.

If you're changing a door, it's far better to have the door and frame changed at the same time for perfect fit, aesthetics, security and durability.

Yes - changing your door from timber to uPVC or composite or changing from an old uPVC door to a new one, or even a different manufacturer will always need a new frame. uPVC and composite doors are manufactured as a complete door set of door slab and frame with unique hinges, so it wouldn't be possible to fit the door without its frame.

Do I need planning permission to move my front door?

No - To replace a front door to the same size doesn't need planning permission.

Maybe - to move a front door might need planning permission if you're moving from the side of the house to the front-facing a road or significantly changing the size of the door portal.

No - Adding a porch to a front door doesn't need planning permission as long as it's less than three metres of floor space (including wall footprint).

Restrictions - if you live in a listed building, within designated land, or in a leasehold property check with your local authority, or your lease, as usually, as there might be limitations on the style of the door and sometimes the colour you can paint it.

Read more about planning permission for doors.

How long should a front door last?

Composite and uPVC front doors will last a minimum of 30-35 years with little maintenance. A timber front door should also last up to 50 years but this depends on how well the door has been maintained.

Ultimately, the lifespan of the door is dependent on how much of a battering it gets from the weather.

If the front door is facing south, it can take a lot of heat from the sun and the constant thermal expansion/contraction ages a door more than anything else.

If your door is in an especially exposed area, such as facing the coast this will reduce the life of the door.

If your door is sheltered under an overhang or small roof, then this will dramatically increase the life of the door beyond the 30-year lifespan.

Does a new front door add value to your house?

If you're thinking of selling your house and want it to look at its best then replacing your front door can make a huge difference to its kerb appeal. And that's key when selling your home – first impressions count.

Effectively, a new front door could increase the value of your property, if it makes it more desirable against others in the area.

Your front door is an indication of what to expect inside the property so a scruffy front door could form a negative impression before a buyer even steps in the house.

What should my new front door cost quote include?

If you do want to consider a new front door cost then make sure you're comparing like-for-like. As we mentioned at the beginning of this article, be aware of what you're actually getting - is it a full door set (like we offer) or is it just the door slab?

A complicated installation can also affect the price - for example, a door frame that has dropped. For this reason, don't accept a new front door price until the supplier has surveyed where the door is to be installed.

So that you can compare door-for-door, your front door cost quote should include:

• A technical survey
• Full details of the product
• Any extras, and door furniture
• Door handles
• The locking system
• The energy rating for any glass
• Does it include painting for timber doors?
• When will the door be fitted?
• Guarantees of the product and installation
• Company details and their accreditations
• Disposal of your old door (many people forget this)

Are there any standards to look out for when buying new front doors?

In some cases, you might need building regulation compliance when changing a front door – usually for a door with glazing. To meet requirements, you can use a trusted supplier who is registered with a competent person scheme such as CERTASS or FENSA.

For a front door, you also want to make sure the locks meet security standards, you can read more about what is the best front door for security here.

Standards for door locks:

• BS 3621 or EN 13309 for five-lever mortice locks
• TS 007 3* or SS 312 diamond for an anti-snap euro lock

Standards for a front door:

• BSI PAS 24 standards
• Secured by Design

Standards for a front door installer:

• Competent Person Scheme (CERTASS)
• Fenestration Self Assessment Scheme (FENSA)

How much does a front door cost? (recap)

The average cost of a white uPVC front door is from £250* supply only or £800* including installation. Considering an average-sized door, without any complication or any extras for the door.

*Industry average prices for a door only, not including the frame

At Everest, we only quote for a full door set that includes everything. From the door slab, furnishings, locks and keys to the frame and cill.

If you're looking for a new front door, simply fill in the form below and we can offer a full survey with 100s of options to configure the perfect door.

All our doors meet PAS24 and Secured by Design standards. Plus we offer a full 7-day no-quibble price promise if you see the same product cheaper somewhere else.

We've made and fitted millions of front doors over the last 50 years. Fit the best.