uPVC Doors: How Much Do They Cost?
Many people don’t give too much thought into their front doors, and so long as it gives you the privacy and security that you need, there’s no problem. But, nothing lasts forever, so this article if about how much replacing your door is roughly going to cost, and what to look out for.
Some people are unwilling to uPVC since they think it is plastic so it either won’t last or it isn’t worth the cost. This is, however, not true since uPVC is much stronger than regular plastic, and it is customisable (most companies will let you do this) to create the perfect front door for your home. There is plenty that you need to know about uPVC doors if this is an option that you are considering so read on to find out more, also if you can fit it yourself.
What are the uPVC front door costs?
Given the nature of the material, uPVC is a lot cheaper than most options you may choose for your front door. It is less expensive than timber and composite doors which are some of the more popular options. However, the material holds up well, and you can quickly get more than 25 years from it, with the standard ten-year warranty. If you’re looking for a maintenance-free door, then uPVC and composite are the one’s I’d recommend. As nice as wooden doors are, they tend to need more work.
Many factors affect just how much you will pay for your front door but for getting the materials needed expect to spend anything between £250 and £350. However, this is just an average figure so that it may vary depending on the following factors.
| Type of UPVC Front Door | Cost of Supply |
| Single Door | £300 |
| Single Double Glazed Door | £450 |
| French Doors | £550 |
Additional Accessories
If you want any other hardware to improve how your door looks, then that will increase the overall cost. Whether it is a pet flap, knocker or spy holes, these will increase the cost. Some of these accessories such as the spy hole are important so when budgeting have a little extra for these, especially for your front door. I can’t imagine a reason you’d have that in any other door??
Colours and Finish
One reason that many people won’t consider uPVC front doors is because when they hear the name, they think white tacky looking doors. However, a lot has changed since and there are so many colours from which to choose. The options are available to help you to match your door to your outside décor hence it is easier to increase your curb appeal.
You can also choose what you need from a wide selection of finishes with the most popular being wooden finishes such as Golden Oak. This will increase your cost between £100 and £200. You’d be surprised how many doors look like wood, that aren’t actually.
It’s worth noting, if going for a wood effect, make sure to go for the higher end. Nothing is worse than a cheap door pretending to be wood, it doesn’t work.
Energy Conservation
If you have double or triple glazed windows, then you may want to think of doing the same with your doors. Just because it is one entryway doesn’t mean it doesn’t let out too much warmth from your home. This is why you shouldn’t just get the cheapest door possible, you want something that isn’t going to let the heat out, not only will it increase your heating bills, but it will annoy you, who wants to deal with a draught?
The rating for doors is from E up to A++ so for the best option, try to get as close as you can to A++. Glazing isn’t cheap, and if you are not ready to spend on it then you have the option to use sealing tape or warm bars that cost no more than £10.
Choice of Glass
As you would expect, transparent glass is the cheapest, but it doesn’t give you much to work with. You have the option to customise your choice of glass by picking what suits your house best. It can be coloured, tinted, bevelled or engraved; the price will be higher depending on how complex it is. The cost can go up to £50 or more so consider this.
I wouldn’t recommend getting clear glass on your front door, typically it will put people off if you ever want to sell your home. Although it won’t directly affect the value of your home, it can harm its overall saleability.
Installation
Who you choose to install the door will determine how high the overall cost will be. Many contractors charge exorbitant prices which is why many people opt to DIY. However, you can check a few installers in your area and compare prices to get the best deal. It is a quick job that shouldn’t take more than half a day so have that in mind when getting your quotes.
Types of uPVC Door
The design you choose also has a lot to do with how much your total bill will be. While you can get the designed customised for you, three models are conventional:
- French doors. They are quite common since they are beautiful and less expensive than some options. These have two panels that open either in or outwards.
- Bifold doors. These are a series of door panels that fold into one another. Usually, there are about two panels on each side. They are not very common since they don’t work with most house designs, but if they do, they are unique.
- Sliding Doors. These are another popular option since they are simple. They have two separate panels that slide both forward and backward.
uPVC Front Door Pros and Cons
There is a lot to love about uPVC doors, but they have their fair share of disadvantages. Here is a summary of the main points you need to know.
Benefits of a uPVC Front Door
The good in uPVC doors outweighs the bad, which is why they are a great option looking for something new for their house.
Affordable
Compared to composite and timber front doors, the price of uPVC options is almost half of these. Therefore, if you need a new front door and you are on a budget, your best option is uPVC then you can customise it in whichever way you prefer.
Easy maintenance
uPVC is not regular plastic as mentioned, so it holds up well for longer with the proper cleaning. They don’t require any repainting or staining like wood nor are they affected by weather elements such as moisture or even insects. They are much stronger; hence they can easily last you more than two decades providing you take good care of it, there is a reason they come with such long warranties.
Insulated
Front door uPVC is well insulated that not only adds to how durable it is but whether or not you choose to glaze the glass; it still does a great job of keeping your home warm.
Better security
It is not easy to take down a well-installed uPVC door since it is enhanced using galvanised steel, so it is firm. This should help you rest assured that nothing will happen to your home when you are away or even in with your family. It is important to note, getting cheap doors for the sake of being cheap the security is one of the main aspects that goes downhill, usually.
Highly Resistant
Very few things can affect UPVC front doors, so you are sure that it is hazard proof. The material doesn’t easily ignite or burn and it keeps insects such as termites at bay, unlike wood. It doesn’t get affected by the changing seasons and will maintain the great look for years.
Unlimited options
The material is highly customisable, and so you have so many choices in terms of design, colour, and finishing. If you find a well-stocked supplier then you will be spoiled for choice. You are sure to get so many alternatives that will work for your home, so there is a lot to work with.
Cons of uPVC Front Door
There are a few disadvantages that may make you rethink using uPVC. However, the problems are not terrible so they shouldn’t discourage you.
It is cheap
This is both a pro and a con and not because it is not durable. uPVC front doors are not the best for old houses that are loved for their history and character. This is because uPVC is cheap which brings down the value of the home and also takes away some of that character.
It may discolour over time
UV rays, rain, and snow may cause the colour to fade or become discoloured hence reducing the aesthetic. The worst part is that you cannot repaint as you would wood.
Not flexible
While you can get it in every colour and finish, uPVC is not as customisable as wood or even composite. There is the risk of your home looking just like every other house in your area since there is only so much you can do with it.
Should you DIY fit a uPVC Door?
For the lovers of creating and building things alone, you can complete this small project on your own. I’ve gone ahead and added a video at the bottom on how you do it.
On the plus side, it means that you will have full control of every aspect of your door and it will cost less, and you get to save up to £250. However, this is not a one-person job; therefore, you will need some help unless you intend to struggle alone and to be honest, it will be very stressful trying to align everything on your own.
DIY uPVC Door Installation Guide
If you plan on taking the DIY route on installation, here is what you need to know.
Make Sure You Have everything
Ensure that you get everything right when ordering the materials. Make sure that you do your initial measurements before getting what you need and ensure that you check that it is correct when received. Open the package and make sure that nothing is missing since this can mess up your work. Triple check all the measurements before removing your old door, you don’t want to be stuck with no door!
Carefully remove your door
You don’t want to mess with the existing frame that may, in turn, affect your doorway so installation will be more difficult. Carefully remove the existing door and clean up the hole to make sure your new frame fit nice and snug.
Fit the door
Try fitting the door on the space and make markings where adjustments are needed. This is why the job cannot be done by one person alone since you need someone to hold it in place as you make corrections. Ensure that you correctly align the door, and if no adjustments are required, you can seal it in using silicone.
Make sure you’re drilling into solid block or brickwork, you don’t want any movement, Spax bits are ideal as they will grip to just about anything.
Secure the door
Drill as needed and secure the door in place. Before moving on, be sure that it is working as it should by swinging the door and seeing how it works. Sometimes you may need to remove it but don’t do this too often since it will damage your frame and door.
Adjust as needed
You may still need some final fixings to get it into the correct position. Once this is done, you can clean up and fully seal the door. Remember to do one last check for whether the door is swinging, sliding and locking correctly. You should buy some window fitting spacers, this will make the job a lot easier, especially if you had a bit of trouble getting it out and the frame isn’t perfect.
For something like your front door, you need to do your research before settling on anything. You cannot change your uPVC door every other day so ensure you have the full details and compare so you can get the best deal.
Check that you get a certified and reputable door installer so you can get the best service. These doors last long, and you shouldn’t have anything to worry about after installation. However, a poorly done job will have you buying new materials for a new door sooner than you would have hoped. Finally, take your time and get as many quotes from recommended suppliers and installers as you can then decide on who suits you best.
Top Tip:
If you really want to save money it is worth checking out eBay and Gumtree, you’ll be surprised how many builders have spare one’s lying about so you might just grab yourself a bargain.