New Front Door Cost by Material (Supply and Fit)
Prices below are for a standard 2,100 x 920 mm door supplied and fitted including basic hardware, a letterbox, and disposal of the old door. Sidelights and bespoke dimensions will add cost.
| Material | Supply only | Supply and fit | Lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £350-£700 | £600-£1,200 | 20-30 years |
| Composite (GRP skin) | £550-£1,400 | £900-£2,000 | 30-35 years |
| Hardwood timber | £900-£2,200 | £1,500-£3,000 | 30-60+ years |
| Aluminium | £1,000-£2,800 | £1,500-£3,500 | 40-45 years |
| Steel security door | £800-£2,000 | £1,200-£2,800 | 25-40 years |
Prices are UK averages for 2026. Bespoke sizing, glazed sidelights, or heritage ironmongery will increase costs. London/South East: add 15-25%.
What Affects the Cost of a New Front Door?
Several factors can move your quote significantly from the averages above:
- Material choice — uPVC is the most affordable; hardwood and aluminium command a significant premium for aesthetics and longevity.
- Door size — non-standard or oversized openings require custom manufacturing, adding £200-£600+.
- Glazing — decorative or privacy glazed panels, leaded lights, or double-glazed sidelights add £150-£600 depending on complexity.
- Security specification — multi-point locking systems, anti-snap cylinders, and door chains add £50-£200 but are strongly recommended.
- Frame condition — if the existing frame is rotten or damaged, a full frame replacement adds £300-£700 to the job.
- Ironmongery — heritage brass furniture, smart locks, or letter cage/draught excluders all carry extra cost.
- Location and access — narrow passages or scaffolding required for unusual configurations increases labour costs.
- Conservation areas — timber may be required to match the street scene; check with your local planning authority before ordering.
Composite vs uPVC vs Timber: Which Is Right for You?
uPVC front doors are the most popular choice in the UK thanks to their low price, minimal maintenance, and decent thermal performance. Modern uPVC doors have improved considerably in appearance, with woodgrain foil finishes available, but they can look plastic-y on period properties and typically offer less rigidity than composite or timber alternatives.
Composite doors have a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) outer skin bonded to a solid timber or polyurethane foam core. They look more like a traditional door, are extremely low-maintenance, resist warping and fading, and typically achieve U-values of 1.0-1.5 W/m²K — better than most timber doors. They represent the best all-round value for most homeowners.
Hardwood timber doors, particularly oak or hardwood engineered options, offer unrivalled traditional aesthetics and can last decades with proper maintenance (oiling or painting every 3-5 years). They suit period properties well, but will warp if neglected and are significantly more expensive than composite alternatives.
Aluminium doors offer a slim, contemporary profile with excellent strength and corrosion resistance. They are increasingly popular on modern builds and extensions. Powder-coat finishes are highly durable, and thermal break technology has closed the energy efficiency gap with composite options.
Security and Energy Efficiency
Regardless of material, look for doors that meet PAS 24 enhanced security specification — this is required for Building Regulations compliance on replacement external doors in England and Wales. PAS 24 doors feature multi-point locking, reinforced hinges, and tested glazing where applicable.
Energy performance is measured by the door's U-value. Current Building Regulations require replacement external doors to achieve a maximum U-value of 1.4 W/m²K for the whole door set. Many modern composite and aluminium doors achieve 1.0-1.2 W/m²K. A well-sealed, thermally efficient door can reduce draughts noticeably and improve your EPC rating.
Smart locks are increasingly popular and cost £100-£400 fitted. They allow keypad entry, remote unlocking via an app, and integration with smart home systems. They are compatible with most multi-point locking frames.
Do You Need Building Regulations Approval?
In England and Wales, replacing an external door requires compliance with Part L (energy efficiency) and Part Q (security) of the Building Regulations. In practice, buying a certified door from a registered FENSA or Certass installer covers this automatically — they self-certify and notify the local authority on your behalf. If you use a general builder or buy supply-only, you will need a local authority building notice and inspection, which adds cost and delay.
Use Our Planner to Budget Your Refurbishment
Our planner helps you set a realistic refurbishment reserve before you buy. A new front door is one of the highest-impact, lowest-cost cosmetic upgrades you can make — factor it in alongside windows and insulation improvements to get a complete picture of your home improvement spend.