Photo: Maria Orlova

What type of front door is cheapest?

Firstly, consider buying a door in uPVC. It is the cheapest option, but it is still a robust and attractive material to use. You can also buy a door set and fit the door yourself – the kit comes with the front door already hung inside the frame.

householdquotes.co.uk - Front Door Costs: How Much for a New External Door in 2022?

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If you’re thinking of selling your home in the future, then replacing a shabby front door will be a great investment. It will tell potential buyers you care about your property, and this might just put you ahead of the competition.

In this guide, we’ll be looking at:

How much new front doors cost

What affects the cost of new front doors

How you can save money on new front doors

What the process for installing a new front door is

How to find and hire a professional joiner to take care of the job for you If your home’s front door has seen better days, keep reading to find out the most cost-effective way of replacing it.

How Much Does a New Front Door Cost?

The table below gives you an idea of what to expect when having a new front door fitted. The price of each door can vary by a huge amount due to the many styles and different quality materials available, particularly hardwood timber and bespoke doors. Door Material Estimated Supply Cost Estimated Labour Cost Time Required Total Estimated Cost uPVC (unglazed) £300 to £600 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £450 to £1,600 uPVC (glazed) £550 to £800 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £700 to £1,800 Composite (unglazed) £800 to £1,200 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £950 to £2,200 Composite (glazed) £750 to £1,100 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £900 to £2,100 Hardwood timber £500 to £1,300 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £650 to £2,300 Timber (unglazed) £550 to £1,300 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £700 to £2,300 Timber (glazed) £550 to £1,800 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £700 to £2,800 Bespoke Victorian-style £1,000 to £4,000 £150 to £500 1 to 2 days £1,150 to £5,000 Let’s start with uPVC front doors, the cheapest in our selection. For a standard-size uPVC unglazed door, you can expect supply costs of £300 to £600, while a glazed option will be between £550 to £800. Composite doors combine different materials together to create a durable substance – and with that, a higher price than uPVC. An unglazed composite door can range from £800 to £1,200, while the glazed option is between £750 to £1,100. You may want to opt for an ultra hard-wearing material like hardwood timber, for which you’ll want to set aside between £500 to £1,300 for the door, depending on the exact type of wood you choose. For other types of timber, you can expect costs of between £550 to £1,300 for unglazed, and £550 to £1,800 for glazed. Finally, if you’re wanting something that’s not readily available off-the-shelf, a bespoke Victorian-style door can cost between £1,000 to £4,000 depending on your specifications. The labour charges will also vary from door to door. The simplest fitting is where an existing frame is utilised, and this will save time and labour costs, while the complete removal of an old frame and the fitting of a new one will be more labour-intensive and increase labour costs. We estimate that door replacement can take between one to two days, depending on the amount of work needed. Are you ready to replace your front door? HouseholdQuotes can help you find the right joiner. Click the button below to compare quotes from multiple tradespeople near you, and potentially save money on your project:

Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:

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What Affects the Costs of a New Front Door?

Several factors can affect the cost of a new front door. We break these factors down below so you have an idea of what to keep in mind when it comes to budgeting.

Door Material

There is a range of different door materials on the market. Take a look at the list below to help you decide what kind of door material would work best for your home. uPVC: these are usually the most affordable doors on the market. You don’t get to paint it, but if you don’t mind a white door that needs almost no maintenance, then uPVC will suit your needs Composite: these doors are made from glass-reinforced fibre. It makes them strong and durable, and this means they often cost more. Most composite doors are around 44mm in thickness with a hard foam insulating or solid timber core Hardwood: these doors are solid and attractive. Most doors are around 41mm in thickness and can be painted whenever you want a colour change Softwood: pine is usually sold in the same thickness as hardwood. The difference is that softwood isn’t as strong and so it won’t last as long as hardwood You can see from the table above how door costs range in price depending on the material used. The most expensive material is composite.

Style

The style will also affect the cost – you can have a solid door, or one with glazing. A door with glazing is a more expensive option because you can choose to have the glass double- or triple-glazed. There is a wide variety of glazed front doors. Some are half-glazed, whilst others only have glass at the top or a glass strip running down the full length of one side of the door. The cheapest glazed versions are only single-glazed. You will pay more for double and triple glazing.

Types of Glazing

The most common types of glazing you will see in a front door are doubled or triple-glazed: Clear glass: if your front door is away from the street, you might prefer clear glass in your front door to give you more light in your hallway. Frosted glass: frosted glass lets the light in, but you keep your privacy because people can’t see beyond the glass door. Stained glass: stained glass is made up of coloured glass, lead and copper foil. They are popular with householders who own Victorian and 1930s properties. Those periods were when stained glass was the most popular. Etched glass: this is popular whether you like traditional or modern designs. Most of the glass is opaque, but part of it is an etched pattern in clear glass. The glass you choose can also be toughened which means if it breaks it shatters into small pieces, or you can have laminated glass which doesn’t fall out of its frame if it is shattered which makes it safe.

Bespoke Doors

If you want a particular design, for example, a Victorian-style front door, you can have it made for you by a joiner. This option isn’t as cheap as buying a mass-produced front door, but of course, you will get a unique design. You can expect to pay between £1,000 and £4,000 for a bespoke designed Victorian-style front door.

New Frames

When you remove your front door, you may see that the door frame is in bad condition – i might be cracked or warped. In this case, it would be better to replace the door frame, too. If you’re buying a new door frame it is usual to use the same material as your door. Although you can use a uPVC door on a composite frame, and vice versa. If you’re going to buy the door frame separately, the cost depends on the size of your door frame and the material. An example of costs for this is that you could buy an oak frame designed to fit a door size up to 2113 mm by 962mm from an internet supplier for £205.

Choice of Door Features

Once you’ve chosen your door you can also add on extra features, such as:

Handles

Letterbox

Doorknocker

House number

Key plate

Spyhole and cover

These features also come in different styles and materials. Popular materials include:

Nickel

Brass

Copper

Porcelain

uPVC

Composite

Aluminium

Chrome

Stainless steel

The price you pay for door features depends on the type of material you choose. For example, a door handle in aluminium and steel might cost you around £10 in a high street DIY store, or you could decide to buy brushed polished chrome from Italy, online for around £121 a pair.

Location

Prices are always influenced by your location. Expect to pay more for goods and services in London and the South East especially.

Disposing of the Old Door

If you’ve changed the door because you want a different design, the chances are it is still in good condition. If it is, then you can either give it away or sell it. If you want to get rid of it immediately, you can contact your local council which may have a scheme where they collect your door for a fee. The fee is usually between £40 and £70. You can add a light outside your front door or on your porch for convenience and security. The lights are around £26, but if you buy a camera light then you’ll be looking at around £160. Video doorbells range from around £50 to £230 if you buy one from a high street DIY store. You’ll then need an electrician to wire in your lights or camera. The price you pay for an electrician’s services depends on where you live. For example, in the South East of England, an electrician will charge between £45 and £65 an hour. In the North of England, this should be cheaper. Depending on the complexity of the equipment you’ve bought, installation should take between one and four hours.

How Can I Save Money on a New Front Door?

Comparing quotes is a great way to potentially reduce the cost of your front door replacement. HouseholdQuotes can help you get quotes from multiple joiners near you, so that you can find someone that suits your budget.

Click the button below to get started:

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Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:

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There are a few tips and tricks you can use to save money on purchasing a new front door. Firstly, consider buying a door in uPVC. It is the cheapest option, but it is still a robust and attractive material to use. You can also buy a door set and fit the door yourself – the kit comes with the front door already hung inside the frame. You will still need to get your measurements right, but installing the door is much easier because all you need to do is attach it to the old frame, as long as the old one is in good condition. Have a look at second-hand front doors, especially if you want a genuine Victorian door or something retro. You can take a look online on second-hand websites and find adverts for front doors at cheaper prices than new ones – you might also find door handles and letterboxes on second-hand sites which can help to minimise your supply costs. It’s also worth considering shopping during sale or promotional periods to maximise your spending power. If you can, wait until seasonal sale periods come around to help you to get a little more for your money.

Which Type of Front Door Is Right for My Home?

When you decide to buy a front door, there are a few things to consider:

Firstly, do you want a door you need to maintain, or would you prefer something maintenance-free?

Would you rather have a sustainable material like timber rather than man-made uPVC?

Would you like a door you can paint so that you can change the colour now and again?

Finally, do you need natural light in your hallway?

If you want a door that is strong and secure, then composite and uPVC do this job well. If you’re thinking more about aesthetics, then timber might be the best choice for you, because it is a natural material, and you can change the colour easily if you want a new look. The table below considers the advantages and disadvantages of each type of material.

-Lasts more than 30 years

-Virtually maintenance free – just needs cleaning

-Secure option -Can become discoloured and brittle over time

-Doesn’t come from a sustainable resource Composite -Extremely strong, so best for security

-Virtually maintenance free – just needs cleaning

-Reduces noise

-Good thermal efficiency

-Lasts up to 30 years -More expensive than any other door material

-Easily repaired and repainted

-You can change the colour as you want to over the years -More expensive than uPVC

-Will only last around 20 years

-Can be affected by the weather

-High maintenance Hardwood -Oak or mahogany are more expensive than uPVC or pine

-Natural material

-Easy to make the door smaller by planning

-Can be painted to change the colour -More expensive than uPVC

-Must be maintained to protect it from weathering

-Could warp

-Mahogany should be re-stained and sealed to keep it looking attractive

As we have already said, uPVC is by far the cheapest option available, lasting for 30 years if well-maintained and is almost maintenance-free. The downsides are that they aren’t as aesthetically pleasing as other door types, and can become brittle over time. Composite doors are growing in popularity – but they are far more expensive than uPVC, for example. You can benefit from greater security with a composite door, as well as having good thermal efficiency and long-lasting benefits. When looking at timber doors, you can choose from soft or hardwood. Hardwood is more expensive but has a rustic charm that is appealing to some homeowners, while softwood is cheaper and can be repaired easily and painted to suit your home’s exterior.

What’s Involved in Replacing a Front Door?

When it comes to replacing your front door, the top, middle and bottom of the door opening will be measured from wall to wall, and the height measured on both sides. The joiner will reduce the measurement slightly if they are all the same. By doing this, they have room to square the frame and the opening. Most house walls aren’t level so this needs to be done to ensure a good fit. The joiner will now measure the new door again to make sure your previous measurements were correct. They will then remove the new keys from the new door, tighten the hinges and put the handles on. Now, the old door is ready to be removed – the joiner will unscrew the hinges and lift the door away. Next, the frame will be removed using a flat bar, hammer, and saw. The joiner will lever the frame away from the brickwork and cut through the wood. They will start at the bottom side piece, and work up to the top of the door frame – this is done on each side, then they’ll work on the top piece and the bottom piece. When the frame has been removed, the brickwork is cleaned so there’s no old cement, paint, or dust. The joiner will then place the bottom door sill on the floor using adhesive foam. The door frame will be already fitted onto the new door, so it has to be placed into the door opening. There should be a person lifting the door and another person on the other side to keep the door open for safety. Next, the joiner will fix the frame into the brickwork, screwing in nails above and below each door hinge. They will do the outside first and then the inside, using a spirit level to make sure the frame is level. Once the door has been fitted, any gaps are filled with foam. The trim is added, and any other gaps are filled using silicon. They’ll then give the door a once-over, ensuring it opens and closes properly, as well as locks correctly.

What Sort of Lock Should I Choose for My Front Door?

The basic standard for front doors is the British standard five-lever deadbolt.

You can have these two types of locking systems on your front door:

Rim lock

Mortice lock

A rim lock, or yale lock as it’s sometimes called, is operated by putting the key in the lock on the outside and turning the small knob on the inside. You can also lock the door from the inside so that it can’t be opened with the key from the outside which is called a deadbolt. A mortice lock is slotted into the interior of your door. The key that comes with the lock turns the levers to undo a bolt. They are often found on external doors that want extra security when the house is empty. Insurance companies usually ask householders to fit mortice locks with five levers for added security. You should look for BS – 3621 or EN 13309. You can then add a lock to the system, and this can be:

A round lock

An oval lock

Euro lock

Most uPVC doors have euro locks. If you have an older uPVC door you might want to replace the euro lock with a new cylinder lock which is anti-snap.

How Do I Find and Hire a Joiner?

Finding the right joiner can be challenging. At HouseholdQuotes, we can connect you to joiners in your area. Click the button below to tell us more about your project, and we’ll help you find someone quickly and easily:

Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:

Click To Get Quotes

Always ask people you know. It might be that they have recently had work done, or they have a joiner in the family. Personal recommendations should come from family, friends, or work colleagues. If you’re considering a glazed door, you may want to seek out a FENSA-approved installer. Any door or window installer registered with FENSA is assessed regularly. This is to make sure they comply with building regulations and provide a high-quality installation service.

Ensuring the Professional Is the Right Fit

When searching for a suitable professional to take on your job, it’s a good idea to make sure that each quote you are given is the same. If you add additions on some and not others, the quotes will be harder to compare. You should always ask for a written quote to enable easy comparison, but also to ensure that the quote won’t unexpectedly rise at the end of the job with ‘forgotten’ or ‘hidden’ fees. It’s worthwhile researching your chosen trader and taking a look at any photographs, videos or customer testimonials to verify their work style and ethic. It’s always useful to know if they are a well-established company or they are just starting out, as you might find that a newer company is slightly cheaper, but you may prefer to pay more for the experience. While it mightn’t be the first thing you think of, it’s worth finding out if they are a member of FENSA. Trade associations will only grant membership to tradespeople with a good work record, and they also need to have high standards of workmanship, which can help to verify the trader’s credentials. Similar to our last point, you’ll want to ask if they have insurance in place. Public liability insurance is vital for all tradespeople as it protects them and you from any injury or damage claims should an accident occur during the installation of your front door. Finally, you should double-check to see if their work and the materials used come with any guarantees or warranties, as this can help to add value to a specific trader when comparing quotes.

Final Checklist

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Use the checklist below to make sure you know the process for purchasing a new front door:

Decide what type of material you want for the front door

Consider your safety concerns, and if a certain material will be better than another given your environmental factors

Choose a solid or glazed door

Pick your door furniture

Find a suitable trader, making sure to get a written quote and compare quotes with other companies Be sure to find out if waste removal is included, or if you need to hire a skip separately

Enjoy your newly-secured home!

Use HouseholdQuotes to find local joiners and potentially save money on your front door project.

Comparing Quotes Could Save You Up To 40%:

Click To Get Quotes

Frequently Asked Questions

Are There Any Building Regulations That Affect Front Doors? Yes, fitting an external door comes under controlled fitting, so you must comply with the rules set out in the building regulations. The regulations include rules about: Thermal heat loss

Safety glazing

Ventilation

Fire safety

How Do I Know if I Need to Replace My Front Door? You’ll need a new front door if: Your door or the frame is damaged It could be cracked or warped which can occur over time. If your door is warped or cracked it means it isn’t as secure as it should be and if it isn’t repairable, should be replaced. It doesn’t open or shut easily. This might be a problem with the door or the hinges. Either way, it will be better to have it replaced before it breaks completely It’s draughty. Wooden doors in particular can expand and contract. This may lead to gaps around the door or at the bottom. If you have draughts coming in it means your home isn’t as energy sufficient as it should be. A new door can help to insulate your home and save you money on your heating bills. You won’t need to turn up the thermostat because of draughts, you will probably be able to turn it down a degree or two. You only have single glazing. Single glazing isn’t a very good insulator. It’s also easier to break than double glazing so you might have a security problem. Double glazing is more secure, it insulates better, and you’ll get better soundproofing. What Is the Competent Person Scheme? The competent person scheme is open to certain trades like plumbing, heating, gas and window and door installers. When a tradesperson belongs to the scheme it means they can self-certify their work, which saves you from having to apply for building control. The scheme is covered by warranties and it has a complaints procedure if you need to use it. FENSA members are window and door installers who are part of the competent person’s scheme. A FENSA certificate demonstrates that your door was installed by an approved installer and that: It is backed by a guaranteed insurance

Complies with building regulations

Is registered with the local council

Do I Need a FENSA Certified Installer? You don’t, but it might make life easier. As we have said previously FENSA tradespeople can self-certify their work which saves you the bother of dealing with building control. A FENSA installer is registered under the competent person scheme. This means they will carry out the work in compliance with building control. When your door is installed, you’ll receive a certificate that demonstrates the work was carried out by a registered installer. If you do the work yourself, or you use an unregistered installer you will need to get approval from building control before the work is started. They will check that your door is compliant and then issue you with a certificate of compliance. How Long Should a Front Door Last? Timber softwood can last up to 15 years and hardwood five or 10 years longer. Composite will last more than 30 years and uPVC up to 30 years. Will I Need a New Door Frame? Not necessarily. If your door frame is in good condition and you are fitting a timber door, you could use your existing frame. Does a New Door Add Value to Your Home? Surprisingly such a small change can make a difference. You can add between £2,000 and £4,000 to the value of your property. If you’re selling, it will also give you the edge over other sellers who haven’t made an effort to spruce up their home’s exterior. The average price for a new uPVC front door is between £250 and £380. You can pay more if you include options such as imitation wood. If you want to read more about the cost of uPVC doors, have a look at our guide. Does a Front Door Need to Be a Fire Door? No. Fire doors are normally required when a house has a door leading into it from an internal garage if you have a loft conversion or a house with three storeys. If you are renovating your property an architect can advise you about fire doors. To find out how much architects cost, read our guide. How Much Do Locksmiths Charge for Changing a Lock? If you need a locksmith, you can expect to pay between £65 to £90 depending on the style and quality of the lock, as well as your location. To learn more about locksmith services, visit our guide. What Do Emergency Locksmiths Do? Locksmiths will also carry out emergency work which apart from changing locks includes making a smashed window safe, getting you back indoors if you’ve locked yourself out and retrieving broken keys from your lock. What Are Composite Frames Made Of? Composite frames are a mixture of PVC, wood glass-reinforced plastic and insulating foam. The outer frame often has reinforced steel, and the inner frame is made from hardwood. It is this mix of materials that give a composite door its strength. Are There Other Ways I Can Secure My Front Door? You can install a spy hole in your door so that you can see who is standing at the door. You can also install a door chain which means you don’t have to open the door fully to talk to someone on the doorstep. You can consider putting a cage on your letterbox to stop someone from reaching in and unlocking the door. You should also think about installing external security lights. You can read more about external lights in our guide. Another security measure is to install a video doorbell with a camera. This will record who comes up to your door and you won’t need to open it to speak to them, you can use your phone or a screen inside your home to see and speak to people you don’t know. How Do I Maintain My Front Door? Maintaining the outside of your property is just as important as maintaining the inside. If you want your property to look well cared for then you’ll want to: Look after your driveway or garden

Clean up any rubbish that gets swept in from the road

Keep windows clean

Keep the front door clean and paint it if necessary

How Long Do uPVC Doors Last? If well-maintained, uPVC doors can last in excess of 20 years. This means that any safety or insulating properties can last this long, making replacement doors a sound investment from a safety and energy efficiency point of view. Are uPVC Doors Cheaper Than Composite Doors? While an unglazed uPVC door can cost in the region of £250 to £500 for supply costs, composite doors can cost between £500 to £700 for the same glazing type. The cost difference is due to the composite door being made up of more than one material, thus giving greater durability. For more information on composite doors, take a look at our dedicated page on external door costs. How Much Do Composite or Timber Doors Cost? Composite doors can cost between £500 to £700 for unglazed options, and between £600 to £1,100 for glazed, while timber can cost between £500 to £1,300 for unglazed, and £300 to £1,800 for glazed options. There are differences in price depending on the exact material you choose – timber doors can vary from hardwood types – and for more information, you can take a look at our dedicated page. Can uPVC Doors Crack? Yes, uPVC doors can crack – but the good news is that they’re relatively easy to repair if this does happen. Due to the material cracks shouldn’t be too common, but they can happen over a door’s lifetime. Are uPVC Doors Prone to Swelling or Expanding in the Heat or Sun? Despite uPVC doors having a galvanised iron frame, the uPVC sections can expand and retract in different weather conditions, leading to warping. If you have a black uPVC door, for instance, and have it in a position that makes it in the sun’s path during summer, you can expect an amount of expansion during the hotter months. Can uPVC Doors Fade in the Sun? Yes, as with most other door materials, uPVC doors will fade in the sun. While it’s not possible to re-paint in the same way you would a timber door, for example, there are heat-resistant treatments you can add to the door to preserve the colour over the years. Click the button below to get quotes from local tradespeople who can help you get the job done:

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