French doors cost £1,000–£2,500 installed in the UK in 2026, depending on material and installation complexity. uPVC french doors are the most affordable at £700–£1,200 installed, while aluminium costs £1,300–£2,500 and timber £1,350–£2,800. These prices are for a standard like-for-like replacement – converting a window to french doors or creating a new opening in a wall costs significantly more.
We compared pricing from UK door installers and manufacturers, cross-referencing quotes with trade cost databases. This guide covers french door costs by material and size, installation scenarios, how french doors compare to bifold and patio doors on price, planning permission rules, and how to get the best value from your quotes.
The biggest cost variable is not the door itself but the installation. A straight replacement where a door already exists costs £1,000–£1,500 total. Creating a new opening in an external wall adds £1,500–£3,000 for structural work, making the total £2,500–£5,000 or more.
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- Average installed cost is £1,000–£2,500 - uPVC from £700, aluminium from £1,300, timber from £1,350 (like-for-like replacement)
- New wall opening adds £1,500–£3,000 - structural work including lintel, temporary support, and making good pushes total to £2,500–£5,000+
- French doors are the cheapest external door option - 40–60% less than bifold doors and 10–20% less than sliding patio doors
- Timber lasts 50–75 years but costs 3–4x more to maintain annually than uPVC (£100–£200/year vs £20–£60)
- No planning permission needed for most replacements - but listed buildings, conservation areas, and new openings in front elevations may require consent
French Door Costs by Material
French door prices vary significantly by frame material. uPVC is the budget choice, aluminium offers slim modern sightlines, timber suits period properties, and composite provides a timber-look with lower maintenance. All prices below include supply, professional fitting, and disposal of old doors.
| Material | Supply Only | Installed | Lifespan | Annual Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £400–£900 | £700–£1,200 | 25–35 years | £20–£60 |
| Aluminium | £1,000–£1,500 | £1,300–£2,500 | 40+ years | £20–£50 |
| Timber (softwood) | £1,000–£1,400 | £1,350–£2,000 | 50–75 years | £100–£200 |
| Timber (hardwood/oak) | £1,700–£2,200 | £2,100–£2,800 | 50–75 years | £150–£250 |
| Composite | £1,200–£2,000 | £1,500–£2,500 | 35–50 years | £30–£80 |
uPVC is the most popular choice for budget-conscious buyers. Modern uPVC french doors are available in woodgrain foil finishes that closely mimic timber, and they require virtually no maintenance beyond occasional cleaning. Lifespan is 25–35 years before the plastic begins to degrade.
Aluminium is growing in popularity because it allows much slimmer frame profiles than uPVC – maximising the glass area and light. Powder-coated finishes are available in any RAL colour, with anthracite grey (RAL 7016) the current favourite. Lifespan is 40+ years with minimal maintenance.
Timber is the premium option, offering the best aesthetics for period and traditional properties. Softwood (typically Scandinavian redwood) is more affordable but requires repainting every 3–5 years. Hardwood (oak, meranti, accoya) is significantly more durable but costs 50–70% more. Timber french doors are often required in conservation areas where uPVC would be refused.
Composite uses a timber or foam core with a GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) skin. The result looks like timber but requires only uPVC-level maintenance. It is the best compromise between aesthetics and practicality, though it costs more than uPVC.
French Door Costs by Size
French doors are available in standard widths from 1,200mm to 1,800mm. Standard sizes are significantly cheaper than bespoke because they use stock profiles and glass units. Prices below are for uPVC double glazed french doors, supply and install.
| Width | uPVC Installed | Aluminium Installed | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200mm (4ft) | £700–£1,000 | £1,300–£1,800 | Narrowest standard; tight spaces |
| 1,500mm (5ft) | £850–£1,100 | £1,500–£2,100 | Most popular width |
| 1,800mm (6ft) | £1,000–£1,200 | £1,800–£2,500 | Widest standard size |
| Bespoke (non-standard) | £1,200–£1,600 | £2,200–£3,000+ | Add £150–£400 + 2–4 week lead time |
Height is typically 2,100mm (standard door height). Taller doors for high-ceiling properties are available as bespoke orders. If your opening is a non-standard size, check whether a slightly smaller standard door with an infill panel would work – this is often cheaper than a fully bespoke door.
French Door Installation Costs
The installation scenario is often the biggest cost variable – a like-for-like replacement costs half the price of creating a new opening. Labour alone runs £300–£650 for standard work, with structural modifications adding significantly more.
| Installation Type | Total Cost (incl. door) | Labour Only | Duration |
|---|---|---|---|
| Like-for-like replacement | £1,000–£1,500 | £300–£500 | 1 day |
| Converting a window to french doors | £1,700–£2,500 | £500–£850 | 1–2 days |
| New opening in non-load-bearing wall | £2,500–£3,500 | £800–£1,200 | 2–3 days |
| New opening in load-bearing wall | £3,500–£5,000+ | £1,200–£2,000 | 3–5 days |
Creating a new opening in a load-bearing wall requires a steel or concrete lintel (£150–£500 for the lintel itself), temporary support during construction (Acrow props), and making good to the surrounding brickwork and render. A structural engineer’s report (£300–£600) is needed to specify the correct lintel size. Building Regulations approval is mandatory for any new opening – your installer can handle this via FENSA/CERTASS, or you can apply directly to your local authority (£200–£400).
Additional French Door Costs
Beyond the door and installation, several common extras can add £200–£1,500 to your project depending on your choices and property.
| Item | Typical Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Triple glazing upgrade | £300–£800 | 30–50% premium over standard double glazing |
| Decorative glass / Georgian bars | £100–£300 | Internal bars cheapest; authentic astragal most expensive |
| Multipoint lock upgrade | £100–£300 | PAS 24 or Secured by Design accreditation |
| Threshold ramp / level access | £50–£200 | Low threshold for wheelchair/pushchair access |
| Glass replacement (per pane) | from £150 | If only glass is damaged, not the frame |
| Painting timber doors | £150–£400 | Professional repainting every 3–5 years |
| Scaffolding | £300–£600 | Upper floors or restricted access only |
For triple glazing, the main benefit for doors is noise reduction and thermal performance. Standard double glazed french doors already meet Building Regulations (Part L requires a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better), so triple glazing is an upgrade rather than a necessity. It is most worthwhile for north-facing doors or properties near busy roads.
French Doors vs Bifold Doors vs Patio Doors
French doors are the most affordable external door option, costing 40–60% less than bifold doors for a similar opening width. The trade-off is that french doors provide a narrower clear opening – the two leaves swing open to give roughly 80% of the frame width, versus almost 100% for a fully-opening bifold.
| Door Type | uPVC Installed | Aluminium Installed | Clear Opening | Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| French doors | £700–£1,200 | £1,300–£2,500 | ~80% of frame | Budget, traditional style |
| Patio doors (sliding) | £800–£2,600 | £1,165–£3,075 | ~50% of frame | Space-saving, wide views |
| Bifold doors (4-panel) | £1,950–£4,240 | £3,150–£7,200 | ~90–100% of frame | Maximum opening, modern |
Choose french doors if you want the best value, a traditional look, and a standard-width opening (1.2–1.8m). Choose patio doors if you want wide views without losing floor space (they slide rather than swing). Choose bifold doors if you want the maximum possible opening and are willing to pay 2–3x more. For a full comparison, see our guides to patio door costs and bifold door costs.
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French Door Security
French doors are often perceived as a security weak point because they have a central meeting rail where the two leaves join, rather than a solid frame edge. Modern french doors address this with multipoint locking systems that engage bolts at the top, bottom, and middle of both leaves – making them as secure as a standard front door when properly specified.
PAS 24 is the British Standard for enhanced security doors. Doors meeting PAS 24 have been tested against physical attack (crowbars, drilling, lock snapping) and are recommended by police under the Secured by Design scheme. Most quality uPVC and aluminium french doors meet PAS 24 as standard; check the specification before ordering. Upgrading to PAS 24 on a basic door adds £100–£300.
Anti-snap cylinder locks, hinge bolts on the hinge side, and laminated glass on the lower panes all improve security further. If security is a priority, aluminium doors with multipoint locks and laminated glass are the strongest option – stronger than timber, which can be forced at the meeting rail with sufficient leverage.
Do French Doors Need Planning Permission?
Replacing an existing door with french doors of the same size does not usually require planning permission – it falls under permitted development rights. However, there are important exceptions.
Planning permission IS likely needed if: you are creating a new opening in an external wall (especially front-facing), your property is a listed building, your home is in a conservation area, or you live in a flat (permitted development rights are more restricted). The planning application fee is £206 in England (2026), with a typical 8-week decision period.
Building Regulations always apply to new or replacement external doors, regardless of planning permission. This covers energy efficiency (Part L – U-value 1.4 W/m²K or better), safety glass (Part N – toughened or laminated glass is mandatory in doors), and structural integrity if walls are being altered. A FENSA or CERTASS-registered installer can self-certify Building Regulations compliance, saving you the cost of a separate building control application.
French Door Energy Efficiency
Modern french doors meet or exceed current Building Regulations for thermal performance. Standard double glazed uPVC french doors achieve a U-value of around 1.2–1.4 W/m²K, while aluminium and timber options can achieve 1.0–1.2 W/m²K with thermal break technology.
If you are replacing old single-glazed or draughty timber doors, new french doors can save £100–£200 per year on heating bills simply by eliminating draughts and improving insulation. The energy savings are proportionally larger for doors than windows because doors are larger openings and old doors often have significant air leakage around the frame.
For maximum efficiency, specify argon gas fill and Low-E coated glass (standard on most quality doors), warm-edge spacer bars, and a low threshold with compression seals. Triple glazing upgrades the U-value to 0.8–1.0 W/m²K but adds £300–£800 – see our triple glazing cost guide for whether this premium is worthwhile. For available funding, check our double glazing grants guide.
How Long Do French Doors Last?
French door lifespan depends primarily on the frame material and maintenance. uPVC doors last 25–35 years before the plastic degrades and the frame loses structural integrity. Aluminium doors last 40+ years – powder-coated finishes resist corrosion and fading with virtually no maintenance beyond cleaning. Timber doors can last 50–75 years but require repainting or restaining every 3–5 years to prevent rot.
The sealed glass unit inside the door typically lasts 20–25 years before the perimeter seal fails and the unit mists up. Replacing a blown sealed unit costs £150–£250 per pane – see our double glazing repairs guide for more detail. Hardware (handles, hinges, locks) usually needs replacing or adjusting every 10–15 years, at a cost of £50–£200 per item.
How to Save Money on French Doors
French doors already represent excellent value compared to bifold and patio doors, but you can reduce costs further with these approaches.
Buy supply-only and hire a local fitter separately. Supply-and-fit quotes from national brands include a 20–30% markup on installation. Buying the doors directly from a fabricator and hiring a local FENSA-registered installer saves £200–£500 on a typical job.
Choose standard sizes. Standard widths (1,200mm, 1,500mm, 1,800mm) are stocked or quickly manufactured. Bespoke sizing adds £150–£400 and extends lead times by 2–4 weeks.
Install in autumn or winter. Most glazing companies are quieter from October to February. Some offer 10–15% discounts to fill their schedule during the off-season.
Get at least three quotes. Prices for the same specification can vary by 40% between installers in the same area. Always compare like-for-like: check whether quotes include VAT, disposal of old doors, and making good to the surrounding wall.
For a broader comparison of window and door options across your property, see our complete double glazing cost guide, or use our free cost estimator for an instant price estimate. For vetted installer recommendations, see our best window companies guide.
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