Highlights
- Composite Door Costs: Composite doors in the UK range from £550 to £2,500, with installation costs adding to the total expense. Expect to pay between £1,000 and £2,000 for a complete installation.
- Factors Influencing Price: The design, materials, glazing, size, and additional features all impact the cost of a composite door. More elaborate designs and high-quality materials typically increase the price.
- Budgeting Tips: Set a target price, get multiple quotes, and consider supply-only options to reduce costs. Don’t forget to account for potential extra costs like door removal and frame adjustments.
- Affordable Options: Options include solid core, pre-painted, glazed, ex-display, and privacy glass composite doors, with prices ranging from £300 to £1,300.
- Benefits of Composite Doors: These doors offer enhanced security, low maintenance, energy efficiency, and improved aesthetics, making them a worthwhile investment despite the higher initial cost.
With composite doors becoming more and more popular, the decision to have one fitted to your home is probably becoming an easier one to make. They’re stylish, secure, and will last for years and years, with minimal maintenance. If you’re on the fence, the deciding factor could be price. Just how much is a composite door fitted in the UK, in 2024? At Celestial, fitting composite doors is our bread and butter – so in this article. We’re going to explore the factors affecting composite door costs, compare different options, and look at the cost of fitting.
Factors Affecting Composite Door Costs
Several factors can influence the cost of composite doors. Knowing these gives you a better handle on your budget and how much you can expect to spend.
The Design
Unsurprisingly, doors with more elaborate designs cost more than their simple alternatives. For instance, doors with interlaid wood and synthetic materials will be more expensive than pure uPVC. Similarly, those with mouldings or attractive detailing, such as brass knockers, will set you back more.
The Materials
The materials in the unit will also affect how much you pay for a composite door fitted in the UK. Affordable outer layer options include uPVC and, in some cases, fibreglass. However, you can also get doors made of composite wood that cost more to manufacture.
Interior materials also differ. Timber is more expensive than foam, but both provide decent insulation. Some doors are uPVC all the way through, bringing down the cost.
Glazing
Standard clear glazing is the least expensive. However, it still adds to the price of doors beyond their basic composite construction.
Double- or triple-glazed elements further add to the cost because of the complexities of manufacturing and installing them. Various types of privacy or coloured glass add to the price further, but not significantly.
The Size
The size of the door also plays a role in its price. The larger it is, the more the basic materials cost to procure, and the costlier it will be. For this reason, exterior doors tend to be more expensive than their interior counterparts. They must cover a larger span and are often thicker as a security precaution.
Installation costs can also be higher due to the physical challenges of moving doors. Firms may increase their labour costs to cover the added hassle.
Additional Features
Finally, extra features like handles, knockers and waterproofing treatments increase door costs. Doors with sophisticated in-built locking mechanisms bump the price because of the additional hardware and manufacturing steps involved.
Comparing Prices of Composite Doors in the UK
How much you pay for a composite door will vary significantly from one brand to the next. Therefore, estimating the actual price you are liable to pay is challenging.
Most composite doors range from £550 to approximately £2,500 for the hardware. This expense covers the cost of sourcing the materials and manufacturing the unit.
Then, you pay for the installation, which varies depending on your location. Homeowners in London will likely pay more than those in Scotland, Wales, and northern England.
When exploring costs, ask the installer to provide a breakdown of where your money is going. See how the contractor divides the price between the labour cost of installing the door and the unit price. (You may also see additional charges, such as callout fees. Include these in the cost of labour when comparing quotes).
Also, ensure you compare like with like. Don’t compare companies that offer different services or products.
Finally, don’t consider price in isolation. Consider the quality of the firm supplying the doors. Cheaper contractors might not have the necessary skills to provide a quality installation.
Budgeting for a Composite Door Installation
Composite door installation can seem costly. But budgeting correctly can help significantly.
Start by setting a reasonable target price for the installation, including the unit and labour. Most homeowners can expect to pay from £1,000 to £2,000, depending on the factors outlined above.
Door unit prices are straightforward to find – just search online. Labour costs will require applying for quotes from local fitters in your area.
To reduce risk, consider purchasing the door from a retailer. This approach prevents installers from adding margin to the product, costing you more.
Also, double-check that the service you want to use will include the price of removing the old door in your quote. Some don’t.
Finally, create a buffer for unexpected costs. While most door installations are straightforward, you might encounter issues with the frame. Correcting these can be costly and, sometimes, impossible.
Affordable Composite Door Options
Some composite door options are expensive. However, there are numerous inexpensive options on the market worth considering.- Solid core composite door. These doors are simple and attractive and work well with rustic or traditional homes. You can expect to pay anywhere from £400 to £850 to install one of these.
- Pre-painted composite door. These doors are similar to solid-core composite doors but have an attractive painted finish, making them ideal for townhouses. Again, doors have composite material throughout, with comprehensive installation prices ranging from £750 to £1,000.
- Glazed composite door. These doors allow more light into your hallway and let you see who is on the other side without a peephole. Expect to pay anywhere from £950 to £1,200 for one of these installed.
- Ex-display doors. Sometimes, you might find ex-display doors that are almost new and have only been in showrooms. Most come in good condition with a full warranty for anywhere from £300 to £1,000.
- Composite doors with privacy glass. Finally, these doors offer privacy while allowing light to flood your home. It’s a decent compromise for anyone who likes to keep things bright but doesn’t want people in the street looking at them. Expect to pay £900 to £1300 to install one of these.
Reducing costs further requires opting for a supply-only option. Here, you use your DIY skills to install the door yourself.
Tips for Getting the Best Deal on Composite Doors
Celestial offers the best value for money composite doors within the North East. We offer high quality products, made to your spec, at fair prices. We’re able to offer the best value doors, due to our ethical and fair approach.
Our Staff
Qualifications are not a legal requirement for door installers. However, they indicate quality (letting you know you are getting more for your money). Our staff undergo extensive training and have list qualifications/recognitions here
Get Financing
Finally, explore your financing options. Spreading the cost of your new doors can bring down the immediate cost.
Some suppliers work with interest-free financing services. These help to reduce the price further.
Understanding the Composite Door Pricing Structure
How much you pay for a composite door depends on the factors discussed above. Manufacturers use these to determine the door’s cost. Then, contractors add their fees on top of these.
Here’s a quick rundown of how composite door pricing works:
Step 1: Start With The Base Price
Manufacturers begin with the base price of the door slab itself. Companies can work this out because their wholesale suppliers quote costs by area and thickness. Timber cores are more expensive than plastic uPVC, while larger slabs are more expensive than smaller ones.
Step 2: Calculate The Cost Of Additions
The next step is to calculate the cost of additions, such as accessories or complexities involved in the design. For example, manufacturers might estimate the cost of double-glazing elements or brass knockers.
Step 3: Add A Manufacturer’s Warranty
After that, add the warranty. The cost of this will depend on the quality of the materials already embodied in the door and the craftsmanship. Warranties can be expensive if manufacturers don’t have confidence in the underlying unit.
Step 4: Installation And Door Disposal Costs
Finally, contractors consider the installation and door disposal costs. Removing doors is usually more straightforward than fitting new ones because the frame already accommodates them. Installers use simple tools to detach them.
The main cost of door removal is hiring a skip to dispose of it or transporting it to a waste disposal site. Door fittings become expensive when they require changes to the frame surround. Making successful alterations can involve quite a bit of trial and error, fudging, and the use of hand tools.
Is a Composite Door Worth the Investment?
As we have seen, investing in a composite door isn’t always cheap. However, we argue that it is still worth the investment.
We know the downsides of composite doors – their higher initial cost and weight – but the benefits can be significant.
Security Enhancements
For example, composite doors can improve the security of your property. Units often contain robust, multi-latch elements that prevent forced entry. Manufacturers also layer materials to make them more resistant to break-ins, increasing strength around the door handles and frame where you need it most.
Low Maintenance
Another reason composite doors are worth the investment is their low maintenance. Unlike conventional wooden doors, you don’t need to stain or repaint them regularly.
The plastic content of many units makes them storm and weather-resistant. uPVC can remain exposed to direct sunlight for 30+ years with the proper UV-resistant formulation, meaning you may need to change it less often than your roof.
Other composite door materials are similarly robust. Units can resist warping, rusting and rotting, owing to their unique material combinations.
Energy Efficiency
You might also want to invest in composite doors because of their superior energy efficiency. Manufacturers make them to prevent air transfer, complementing any existing glazing.
For example, most uPVC doors have a soft foam interior. This lattice traps pockets of air, preventing drafts.
Conventional wood composite doors do something similar. Tiny air pockets in the wood trap air like a blanket, preventing excessive heat exchange.
Aesthetics
Finally, consider the aesthetics of composite doors in the UK. Manufacturers improve their processes annually, creating evermore stunning designs that look less synthetic.
Ultimately, deciding whether a composite door investment is worth it is a personal decision. You will need to consider your budget to see if your finances will let you make the purchase.
You should also consider your existing door’s condition. If it’s okay, you might want to delay composite door installation to a later date. Some people wait a few years before replacing existing doors, or simply remove and sell them, putting the proceeds toward the cost of the new door.
Now You Know How Much A Composite Door Fitting Costs In The UK
You should have a clearer picture of how much a composite door fitting costs in the UK. We discussed how much it is likely to cost, what the average person spends on composite doors, and the benefits any installation brings.
We also looked at how to get the best deals on composite doors. While the average person might spend £1,500, you could secure a better deal using the tips outlined above.
The exact price will be individual to you, based on your requirements and desires. We do offer financing options, and would like to remind you that while composite doors may be more expensive, they last longer and require less maintenance, meaning you will save money in the long run.
Contact the Celestial team today or visit our showroom to find out how much a composite door will cost you.
