External doors are essential for both home security and personal comfort. Whilst they allow us to enter, unwanted guests stay locked out. They also form a vital barrier against the outside elements. This final layer of insulation keeps the warmth in and the cold out, saving on energy bills.
Whilst there are many types of doors available, uPVC doors win hands down when it comes to value for money. These “plastic doors” are the cheapest but still offer reasonable durability.
Compared to the classic wooden doors they offer vastly increased weather resistance with less upkeep. They do not warp with weathering and only require light surface cleaning. Average life expectancy is up to 25 years and 10-year manufacturer’s warranties are commonplace.
The multi-point locking systems used are considered very secure. They use a combination of hooks, latches and deadlocks for convenient security.
There are a number of online stores around the UK selling made-to-measure doors, they allow custom designs and a wide choice of accessories.
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Click To Get QuotesHow Much Are uPVC Doors?
The average uPVC doors price list ranges between £250-£380. Front, back and side doors are very similar in price. However with front doors, you may consider using extra panels/windows.
These are fully made to measure uPVC doors, designed and built to your requirements.
Final prices for uPVC doors will depend on the following factors:
– Colours. White is usually standard with uPVC doors, but there is a wide variety of colours choices. Even wood imitation such as Rosewood and Golden Oak are available. These options can add up to £150 onto your final door price.
– Glass. Plastic doors price will rise depending on your choice of glass. Across the range of clear, tinted, decorative and safety, expect the additional costs to creep up to £50.
– Door grids. Having Georgian bars and other decorative grids will push prices towards the higher end of the scale.
– Accessories. Any additional accessories will need to be added to the total price for your door. Examples of prices include letter-plates for £10-£20, Knockers £15, Spyhole £10, Custom Sills £10.
– Insulation. Additional insulation within your door may cost around £20. Then you may choose to take it further with sealing tape (£5) or warm edge spacing bars (£10).
How Much is a Double Glazed Front Door?
Doubled glazed uPVC doors are typically priced between £275-£400. Triple glazed windows are also an option but expect the price to increase by £20+.
Click To Get QuotesConsiderations for DIY Enthusiasts
Fitting new external doors often best left to professional carpenters or joiners. It’s a fiddly job that requires a number of tools, joinery equipment, patience and experience.
Another factor to consider, external doors are a “controlled fitting”. This means any work will require consent from your local building authority. If workers are not FENSA registered you will need to pay for an inspection. If you cannot obtain a certificate of compliance, you may encounter a problem when trying to sell.
To prevent future headaches, you should consider hiring professional tradesmen who are FENSA registered to fit your door.
Fitting uPVC Doors
Fitting a single door is a two-man job. It may only take half a day to fit the new door, yet allow a full day for removing and disposing of the existing door/frame. See below for a rundown of the basic procedure:
– Take precise measurements of your space. Take three vertical measurements and three horizontal measurements. Always deduct 1cm from the smallest to allow for fitting tolerances. Measurements are to be taken from brick to brick. Now you can order a new door/frame.
– Collect/Receive your new door. Remove all packaging and double check the condition and dimensions.
– Remove your existing door. Use a hammer, chisel and pry bar to extract the old frame from the wall. Be careful not to damage existing brickwork. Clean away old silicone and mastic from the surface.
– Fit sill (if required). Make sure it has been positioned correctly using a spirit level. Align the sill with packing and shims, and then secure it with silicone.
– Attach all fixings to the new door. It may be easier to remove your new door from the frame, take it to one side and fit the handles and cylinders.
– Position the new door/frame in the opening. Check the bottom is level and swing open the door. Drill holes down through the frame and brickwork, secure the frame with anchors and bolts. Check to ensure the door is still level.
– Drill and secure each side. Hinged side first, then the lock side. Check the door still closes parallel. If the top or bottom is sealing first, adjust the lock side.
– Position the plastic packers. The hinge side requires one vertically and one horizontally from the bottom. The lock side requires one vertically and one horizontally from the top
– Check the door closes and locks. Then fill in beads and tap down using a soft hammer.
– Make final adjustments. Use a screwdriver to adjust the door latch to remove play. Adjust the hinges until they provide smooth operation.
– Lay the final seal. Clean the frame and seal it to the brickwork using waterproof silicone sealant.
uPVC Doors Prices Fitted
Having a new uPVC door fitted is a definitely two man job. The minimum labour charged will be half a day, but in most cases it will require a full day.
Typical worker day rates:
Carpenter £150 per day
Labourer £100 per day
Example of typical uPVC front doors fitted:
Labour cost £250
uPVC door cost £350
Additional costs £50
£650 Total
For an additional side panel fitted next to your door, expect to pay an additional £200.
If you need to have a uPVC backdoor fitted, the job is quite similar. In most costs the total cost may end up being slightly lower at due to reduced door prices.
uPVC front doors fitted should also include removal and disposal of your existing door.
Before going ahead and ordering a new uPVC front door, consider having a qualified carpenter come round for a quick survey. Their accurate measurements will ensure your new door fits. If they are going to be fitting your door too, make sure they are FENSA registered.
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