Installing patio doors is currently one of the most popular upgrades made to houses in the UK. You might already know what is a Patio door, but do you also know its advantages? Patio doors allow more natural light to flood your home, improving thermal and energy efficiency. They increase ventilation, spaciousness and property value.
Although patio doors have a high return on investment (ROI), you’ll want to consider cost before making your final choice. Everything from size, style, and material contributes to patio door prices. Additionally, you’ll also need to budget for the installation as well as future maintenance and repairs.
From french doors to bifold doors to sliding patio doors, your options may seem infinite while your budget remains slightly less limitless. We’ll guide you through your options so you can make an informed and budget-friendly decision.
Patio Door Materials
uPVC
uPVC patio doors are the most cost-friendly option on the market. The maintenance on uPVC is also less compared to timber doors that require treatment with the passing of time.
A decrease in price means a decrease in quality. If you’re worried about safety, but an entirely aluminium door isn’t in your budget, consider installing hybrid patio doors with an aluminium core and uPVC exterior.
It is common to compare PVC and aluminium sliding patio doors to see which is better, as the long-term effects of both can be very different.
Timber
Timber door prices vary depending on the quality of the wood. High-quality engineered timber patio doors may seem more expensive at first, but installing cheaper softwood-engineered frames will cost you in the long run. Softer wood tends to warp after too much exposure to moisture and heat.
Aluminium
Although aluminium patio doors cost around the same as timber, aluminium tends to be the better investment. The installation prices are lower and the maintenance less. Whereas timber needs to be treated and cared for, aluminium simply needs a good wash now and then. At Aluminium Bifold Co., we offer a bespoke range of aluminium products.
Steel
Steel patio doors are easily the most expensive choice. These luxury doors are a favourite due to their chic industrial design, durability and safety. These doors are three times stronger than aluminium and have a life expectancy of at least 50 years. If safety is your priority, consider welding burglar bars to the frame. Prevention is often cheaper than replacement.
Patio Door Styles
There are various patio door types available, each with its own benefits and prices. Being thoroughly aware of all your options will help you choose a door that doesn’t compromise your budget or aesthetic preferences.
Sliding patio doors
Sliding patio doors are perfect for conserving floor space in small, restricted homes. Featuring two panels of glass, one movable and the other fixed, sliding patio doors move horizontally instead of opening in or out.
Depending on the size and material, you can expect to pay anything from £500 to £1500. Aluminium is the most popular choice of material as its flexibility allows for bespoke designs and sizes. Sliding patio doors usually only have a simple locking mechanism, so you might want to budget for additional security features, such as anti-lifting tracks or security bars.
French patio doors
French patio doors are a set of hinged double-opening doors with an elegant and classical style that swing out or in from the centre. These doors fit a smaller doorway but require more space than horizontally operating sliding doors.
French patio door prices range from anywhere between £500 and £1500. French doors offer both single-door access as well as the option of opening both doors for increased air circulation during the summer, which will enable you to cut costs on air conditioning.
Bifold patio doors
Bifold patio doors resemble concertinas with foldable panels of glass pleating back onto each other. These doors are new to the patio door market but have proven efficient in replacing large sections of walls. The transition between outdoor and in begin to blur with bifold patio doors offering unobstructed views when open.
Bifold doors fall into a price range of £1000 and £4000. Although they are generally the more expensive option, they feature multi-point locking systems that reduce the security risks associated with the single-point locking point on sliding patio doors. Timber, aluminium, and uPVC are all suitable materials that can either raise or lower costs.
Sliding and french doors are better suited for smaller doorways, so as soon as your opening exceeds 2500mm, you’ll want to opt for bifold doors.
Additional Features
There are a whole host of additional features you’ll want to consider when installing patio doors. Double and triple glazing companies can charge up to £6000 for their services, but the advantages of noise reduction, climate regulation and burglar safety could be a worthwhile investment.
If you’re renovating and want your doors to match your interior decor, painting the patio door frames can contribute to curb appeal and won’t cost you more than £500.
If safety is a concern, you’ll want to budget around £150 for outdoor security lighting, £30 for an anti-lift device, and £4000 to have integral blinds fitted. If you can’t afford a patio door with a 5-point multipoint system right now, find out if you can purchase a set of patio doors that can have their locking mechanism updated in the future.
For around £20 to £100, you can install a hydraulic door closer to automatically close the door behind you after opening it. This device avoids the slamming of doors (by people or wind) and will increase the durability of your patio doors.
Patio Door Installation Costs
Although most of your budget will be dedicated to the patio door itself, you’ll need to factor in installation and labour costs.
Preparation
Before the patio door can be fitted, the opening needs to be prepared. Most patio doors need to be supported by a load-bearing lintel which requires a consultation with an architect or structural engineer. Securing the door structure before installation is essential to preventing future damage, avoidable replacements and unnecessary costs.
If you are having new patio doors fitted, you may need to create a new wall opening enlarge an existing one. The reconstruction can take around a day and cost you anything between £300 and £1000. If you’re simply planning to replace patio doors, the frame will have to be removed before any installations can take place.
Installation
With tradesmen charging between £20 and £25 per hour for labour, you can expect to pay between £100 and £200 per day for the actual installation of the patio doors. Installing sliding doors and french doors generally take around 4-6 hours, while bifold doors need at least a full day. Factors that influence patio door installation time include:
- how accessible your patio, garden, or balcony is
- the condition of your patio, garden, balcony
- how complex the patio doors are (with sliding doors generally being the easiest and bifold doors the most intricate)
- whether or not there are current patio doors that need to be removed first
Finishing
After the doors have been installed, secured and tested, it’s time for the finishing touches. The labourers will clean the doors and give you the option of additional decoration before leaving for their next job.
uPVC finishing
Your standard uPVC patio doors are made from white plastic, but that doesn’t mean they have to stay that way. You can select from up to 15 different coatings that include a variety of solid colours or wood grain finishes. uPVC is given colour with either liquid dip, vinyl wrap, or spray paint.
Liquid dip
Liquid dip is a canned rubber coating that can easily be sprayed onto plastic surfaces. This air-drying finish is flexible, easy to remove, and often used on cars. Liquid dip is the popular choice for the DIY fanatic as it’s easy to apply and even easier to remove if you’ve made any mistakes that need fixing.
Despite liquid dip application being straightforward, it’s an expensive rubbery finish that doesn’t always deliver the most aesthetic result. The material also isn’t as durable as vinyl wraps or higher-quality spray paint.
Vinyl wrap
Vinyl wrap is another material that originated in the automotive industry. Today, people use vinyl wraps to add colour to their uPVC door frames. Vinyl wraps offer a variety of colours and use strong adhesives to make them stick. The doorframe wrapping paper also requires less preparation compared to the surface preparation involved with spray paint.
Vinyl wraps come in rolls and several different sizes. You’ll need to take careful measurements to calculate how much you’ll need and how much it’ll cost. High-quality vinyl can easily cost you £100 per roll, but the investment will result in a longer lifespan and less maintenance.
Patio doors can take about 4-8 hours to wrap, so you’ll also want to consider labour costs before investing in vinyl.
Spray paint
High-quality spray paint applied by a professional hand is not only durable and aesthetic but affordable. For an average of £250, you can completely transform and personalise your uPVC doors. From a standard white to a large variety of colours. Popular colours include:
- RAL 7016 Anthracite Grey: a neutral dark grey finish that changes from a lighter grey in bright light to black when it gets darker.
- RAL 9016 Traffic White: this classic colour is perfect for a patio door makeover. Your old uPVC doors will look brand new after the paint has dried.
- RAL 3028 Pure Red: this royal red is sure to attract attention to your patio doors and highlight the open living space created between your indoor and outdoor spaces.
- RAL 6020 Chrome Green: green is associated with both nature and prosperity and has become an increasingly popular choice.
Spray paint and uPVC are the perfect match, as the adhesive firmly binds with the plastic, and prevents the paint from chipping or peeling from weathering and frequent use. Professionally spray painting uPVC doors ensures the application is long-lasting and flawless.
Spray painting is the more cost-effective and durable option, but you’ll want to have it done professionally to ensure it lasts.
Aluminium finishing
The variety of colours available for an aluminium finish is nearly endless. To add colour to aluminium patio doors, powdered plastic is melted onto the surface. The use of heat bonding results in a weathering-proof finish that will significantly elevate your patio door appearance.
Waste Removal
Whether you’re replacing old doors or breaking down a wall for new patio doors, you’ll need to take waste removal into consideration. The waste product includes the old doors you’re getting rid of as well as the wood, glass and rubble caused by renovations.
You can expect to pay anywhere from £100 to £200 to rent a waste skip, but if you’re hiring a tradesman to install your patio doors, waste removal should be included.
DIY
Patio door installation isn’t a recommended DIY activity, but the hardcore do-it-yourselfer might be able to make it happen. At the very least, you’ll need to consult an architect or structural engineer regarding the lintel. Lintels support your home’s structure, and failing to install it correctly will cost you plenty in repairs and replacement.
The adamant DIY fanatic will need the following equipment:
- an electric screwdriver
- a measuring tape
- a bubblehead
- blueprints
- construction foam
- flat head screwdrivers
- screws that fit the frame
- aluminium foil to be used as a vapour barrier
- pen or pencil
You might be under the impression that fitting patio doors yourself will save you money, but if done incorrectly, it’ll end up costing you way more. Make sure to do your research thoroughly before taking on the challenge.
Maintenance and Replacement
Taking care of your patio doors is a sure way to increase their lifespan and decrease future repair costs. Proper maintenance ensures that your doors remain safe, secure and functioning.
Maintenance
Repainting
Paint doesn’t last forever, and a chipped or peeling finish can negatively affect your curbside appeal. Depending on the size of the doors, you can expect to pay around £250 to have them repainted.
Weather treatment
Your doors are inevitably going to be exposed to nature, but you can decrease the hammering they take with proper weather treatment. There are many treatments available, including oil, wax, varnish and water-based treatment. Wooden doors are most susceptible to weathering, but your other materials might need attention every now and then.
Weather treatment is priced around £15 to £35 per litre, and hiring a professional will cost you an additional £14 to £18 per hour.
Cleaning tracks
Taking care of the door tracks is an easy and simple way to keep your sliding doors clean and functioning. Running a vacuum cleaner along the tracks regularly will prevent a build-up of dirt and debris. If the door rollers seem to be the problem, you can remove them to be cleaned with denatured alcohol.
If the doors are still struggling to slide smoothly, consider hiring a professional for around £15 to clean the doors for you.
lubrication
Lubricating the door rollers is another way to help the door rollers slide more smoothly. Applying a silicone spray to the rollers and the tracks with a final application of paraffin wax is a great way to improve the opening and closing of sliding doors.
Silicone spray will cost you between £6 and £8, and you can expect to pay £5 to £10 per kg of paraffin wax. Hiring a professional will cost you an additional £12 to £20 per hour.
Removing Patio Doors
If your patio doors have been damaged beyond repair, you’ll need to remove the doors before installing new ones. To remove patio doors, a professional must first take off the cap at the bottom of the door. After that, the screws will be loosened, and the door carefully lifted from the frame.
Before a new frame can be fitted, the old ankle brackets, stationary panel and frame will need to be removed. As soon as waterproof flashing has been applied, you can move on to installing your new patio doors. When replacing patio doors, you’ll need to consider the additional labour costs of removing the old doors as well as the extra waste the process will make.
FAQs
Should a patio door open in or out?
Most people fit their french doors to swing outwards to avoid taking up space and colliding with furniture. However, outward-opening french doors are more exposed to the weather and can lead to higher maintenance costs. You’ll want to secure your french doors properly to prevent strong winds from slamming them shut and damaging them.
Inward-opening french doors are the better choice when it comes to safety and security concerns. In the event of a fire, rescuers will find it easier to break through an inward-opening door than their outward-opening counterparts.
These doors also have their hinges protected from intruders, although modern outward-swinging patio doors have been updated to protect outer hinges as well. Inward and outward-opening doors are both viable options. At the end of the day, it’s up to you.
How do patio doors increase property value?
Most homeowners are looking for bright and open spaces, which patio doors provide. Sliding doors have a high return on investment (ROI) as they increase home appeal and resale value.
Patio doors are a great way to increase the amount of natural light in your home, which is an attractive home resale quality. The attractive indoor-outdoor transition is key to increasing property value.
How long do patio doors last?
Patio doors generally last between 20 and 30 years, although several factors will influence their lifespan:
- the material of the frame: aluminium and steel frames have a higher life expectancy than uPVC and timber ones
- the type of glass: is the glass double-glazed, triple-glazed, or made from toughened glass?
- maintenance and care
- exposure to the elements
- the quality of the door handles and locking mechanisms
A high-quality steel patio door can last you up to 50 years.
How much do patio doors cost in the UK?
If you’re living in the UK and looking to invest in a set of patio doors, you are likely wondering how much a sliding patio door is right now.
You’ll need to budget between £500 and £3000, depending on your preference for style and materials. This won’t include the cost of installation, waste removal, maintenance, and additional features.
What is the cheapest patio door option?
Your cheapest patio door option will be a standard-sized uPVC set of sliding doors with standard glass and no additional features or finishings. You can expect to pay a minimum of £500 for the doors and £200 for the installation. Our blog provides an extensive guide to choosing the perfect patio doors.
What is the most expensive patio door option?
The most expensive patio doors on the market are customised steel frames with triple-glazed, toughened glass and a number of additional features for both safety and luxury living. Steel doors will cost you a pretty penny, and you’ll want to get a quote from a patio door company before making your final decision.
