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 want before you can compare costs.

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.

As a short answer, a new front door cost would be:

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

*Note, these are average industry prices and not Everest list prices.

As a long answer, read our guide that tells you what you need to know about front door prices.

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.

How to choose a front door

If you're thinking about replacing your front door and wondering where to start, the first thing you should think about is the aesthetic of your home and consider a door that fits the style.

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

We recommend taking expert advice from a specialist supplier – local joiners or handymen are not always the best people to offer style tips!

How to pick a front door colour

The colour of your door will have the most impact and what a visitor will see first before they focus on the details of the material and style. This is an area to consider very carefully and not be swept away by your own favourite colour but to consider what's sympathetic to the property.

A bright yellow front door is going to make a bold statement but not necessarily the right one!

Composite doors offer a wide range of contemporary colours that don't fade and always look fresh and these are suitable for certain properties, especially terraced houses that want to stand out.

A black front door is very popular for traditional houses, along with red, and offers a timeless appeal. Read about why you should consider a black front door.

What is the best type of front door?

The best type of front door is one that meets all your needs and this is different for everyone. Whilst a black timber door is right for one property, a partially glazed composite door might be better for another.

As you research a new front door cost, consider the following:

• Do I want low maintenance?
• Do I want to see visitors through the door?
• How important are extra security features?
• Do I need a bespoke size?

What is the most secure front door?

A front door is your barrier to stopping unwanted visitors entering your home to keep your family safe and the exit doors are the most targeted area for a house break-in.

A door is only as secure as its lock, so making sure you have the right door lock is the first thing to consider. Then you should think about the material the door is constructed from and the frame it sits within.

Composite and uPVC doors offer high security if they come with PAS24 and Secured by Design standards.

Are composite doors more expensive than uPVC?

Yes, a composite door is more expensive than uPVC and this is down to the quality of materials and production of the door. A composite door usually costs 25% more than a uPVC door.

A composite door is made from a combination of materials that all offer their unique properties and benefits whereas a uPVC front door is constructed from a singular material.

Composite doors look better than uPVC, they're moulded to have a realistic wood grain finish and come in a wide variety of vibrant colours. They also tend to be more secure due to the solidity of the door from the combination of the materials and a reinforced steel internal frame.

Read more about What is a composite door?

Cost to replace front door UK 2020

Although other websites offer lists of pre-made 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.

We recommend that you only look at 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.

As a guide to the question, how much does a new front door cost, we've set out a range of prices so that you can consider what 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) and 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Most people choose obscure glass in a front door but you can have clear panels or portals for security so that you can see who is at your door before you open it.

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. Only single glazing is a real security risk on a front door.

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.

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.

• 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 of 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.

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 fitting cost.

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

• Use a local joiner or handyman
• Do it yourself
• Use a door manufacturer who installs

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.

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?

As long as the frame is in good condition, replacing a door like-for-like shouldn't need to change the frame and will keep your costs to a minimum.

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 need a new frame. uPVC and composite doors are manufactured as a complete unit of door slab and frame with unique hinges, so it wouldn't be possible to fit the door without its frame.

If your door frame has become damaged (for example, after a forced entry) you must consider that the frame of the door is integral to the strength of the door and contributes to its resistance and in this case, you have to replace the frame to maintain the integrity of the door.

Do I need planning permission to move my front door?

To replace a front door to the same size doesn't need planning permission.

However, to move a front door might need planning permission depending on 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.

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).

There might be other restrictions on your property that cover your front door such as, if you live in a listed building, within designated land, or in a leasehold property. If you do, check with your local authority, or your lease, as usually, there will be limitations on the style of the door and sometimes the colour you can paint it.

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 the same time 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.

A door can also take a lashing from rain and wind.

If your door is in an especially exposed area, such as facing the coast or in exposed countryside 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 and can be way beyond the 30-year lifespan.

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. There are a lot of variables with a new front door, such as style, extras and sizing. Your price can also be dramatically affected if you have a complicated installation and for this reason, it's essential to get a full survey by a specialist company at quote stage so you're comparing real front door costs.

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 about what is the best front door for security here.

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

For a front door:

• BSI PAS 24 standards (explained here)
• Secured by Design

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

We’ve made and fitted millions of front doors over the last 50 years

We do a full survey of your home and offer 100s of options for the perfect front door. All our doors meet PAS24 and Secured by Design standards.

Then we offer a full 7 day no-quibble price promise guarantee, so you won't pay less for the same product anywhere else.

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