Patio Doors Cost UK 2026: Sliding, French & Aluminium Prices

Patio doors are one of the most cost-effective ways to bring light into your home and create access to your garden. A uPVC sliding patio door costs from £850 installed (average £900 on MyJobQuote) – significantly less than bifold doors (which start at £1,950) while offering a similar amount of glass and natural light.

The main decision is sliding vs French: sliding doors need no swing space and offer wider glass panels, while French doors open fully and suit traditional homes. Both are available in uPVC, aluminium, and timber, with prices varying by up to 3x depending on material and size.

This guide covers 2026 prices for every patio door type, compares materials and styles, and explains what to look for in double glazing installer quotes. All prices in this guide include VAT at the standard 20% rate.

How Much Do Patio Doors Cost in 2026?

Replacing patio doors costs £750–£2,500 installed, depending on type and material. uPVC French doors start from £750, uPVC sliding patio doors from £850, and large aluminium sets average £3,000.

The wide price ranges reflect the difference between a basic 2-panel uPVC replacement and a large multi-panel aluminium installation with structural work. For a straightforward replacement of an existing patio door opening, expect to pay towards the lower end. Creating a new opening or upgrading to aluminium pushes costs towards the upper range.

Sliding Patio Door Prices

A uPVC sliding patio door costs from £850 installed (average £900). Large aluminium sliding sets average £3,000 but offer slimmer frames and smoother operation. Wider 3-panel and 4-panel configurations are available up to 4m.

Sliding patio doors are the most practical choice for most UK homes. They need zero swing space – the door panel slides behind the fixed panel on a track – making them ideal where furniture or planting is close to the opening. Modern inline sliding doors use multi-wheeled carriages for smooth, near-effortless operation even on larger panels.

The main limitation is that only 50% of the opening is usable at any time (one panel is always fixed). If you want a fully open wall, bifold doors are the better option – though at roughly 2-3x the price.

Lift-and-slide doors are a premium variant worth considering for larger openings. The panel lifts slightly off the track before sliding, which reduces friction and allows heavier, wider panels (up to 3m per panel). They cost more than standard inline sliders but offer better thermal performance due to tighter seals when closed.

French Door Prices

French doors start from £750 installed in uPVC (average £900 on MyJobQuote). Both doors open outward (or inward) giving 100% of the opening width – ideal for standard 1.2m–1.8m doorways.

French doors suit homes with standard-width door openings where you want maximum airflow when open. They work particularly well in cottages, period properties, and anywhere a traditional two-leaf door looks appropriate. The trade-off is that they need swing clearance – you will need at least 1.2m of clear space on whichever side the doors open towards.

Most French doors open outward as standard (inward-opening options are available but less common in the UK due to weather sealing concerns). You can add sidelights – fixed glass panels either side of the doors – at an extra cost per panel, which increases light without increasing the opening width. French doors with sidelights are a popular alternative to patio doors for homeowners who want the traditional aesthetic but more glass.

If you are converting a window into a door or widening an existing opening, a new opening, lintel included, costs £1,900–£3,500 in total on MyJobQuote’s figures. For a straight replacement of an existing French door, installation is typically a single-day job.

What Affects Patio Door Costs?

Material choice, door type (sliding vs French), opening size, structural work requirements, and your UK region are the five biggest cost factors. London and the South East typically cost more than the North.

If your current opening is a standard single back door (approximately 900mm wide), converting to a patio door means widening the wall – this is where costs escalate. A structural engineer (£50–£90/hour) needs to calculate the lintel size, and the builder needs to open up the wall, install the steel, and make good. MyJobQuote puts a new opening, lintel included, at £1,900–£3,500 in total.

Security Considerations

Patio doors have a reputation as a weak point for home security, but modern doors are significantly more robust than older designs. Look for multi-point locking systems (standard on most new installations), anti-lift devices on sliding doors, and toughened or laminated glass. Doors with a PAS 24:2022 or Secured by Design accreditation have been independently tested against forced entry attempts. Most major insurers now accept modern patio doors without a premium increase, but check with your insurer before installation.

Energy Efficiency

All new patio doors sold in the UK must meet Building Regulations Part L, which requires a maximum U-value of 1.4 W/m²K for doors. In practice, most modern uPVC and aluminium patio doors achieve A-rated or better performance, especially when fitted with argon-filled double glazed units (now standard). Triple glazing upgrades cost more but can bring U-values down to 0.8 – worth considering for north-facing or exposed openings.

Patio Doors vs Bifold Doors: Which Should You Choose?

Choose patio doors for standard openings and value. Choose bifold doors when you want the widest possible opening and have the budget – they cost 2–3x more but fold away completely.

For most UK homes with a standard patio door opening, a sliding patio door offers the best balance of cost, light, and practicality. Bifold doors are worth the investment if you are building an extension, converting a garage, or creating a dedicated garden room where the indoor-outdoor flow is central to the design. See our bifold doors cost guide for detailed pricing.

A useful rule of thumb: if your opening is under 2m wide, French doors are the best value. For 2m–3.5m openings, sliding patio doors balance cost and function. For openings wider than 3.5m, bifold doors become the practical choice because standard sliding doors struggle with the weight and track length at that width. For front entrances rather than garden openings, a composite front door is the standard choice – more secure and better insulated than uPVC panel doors.

Energy Savings with New Patio Doors

Replacing old single-glazed or draughty patio doors with modern double-glazed units can cut draughts and heat loss, with savings depending on the size of the opening and how poor the old doors were. A-rated patio doors with argon-filled cavities and low-E coatings provide the best thermal performance.

Triple-glazed patio doors cost more than double-glazed but offer superior insulation – worth considering if the doors face north or are exposed to prevailing winds. Payback through energy savings alone is slow, so the stronger case is comfort and condensation control rather than bill savings.

Maintenance and Lifespan

uPVC patio doors last 20–30 years with minimal maintenance – an annual clean and silicone spray on the tracks is all that’s needed. Aluminium frames last 30–45 years. Timber doors require repainting or resealing every 3–5 years but can last 50+ years if well maintained.

Budget £50–£150 per year for timber door maintenance (paint, sealant, hardware adjustments). uPVC and aluminium are effectively zero-maintenance beyond cleaning.

How to Get the Best Price on Patio Doors

Start by using our free double glazing cost estimator to get a ballpark figure for your project. Then get at least three written quotes from local installers to compare.

Get at least three quotes from FENSA-registered installers, include a local independent, and time your purchase for winter. Prices can vary widely between installers for the same specification.

• Get 3+ quotes – always compare like-for-like (same material, size, glass specification)
• Include a local installer alongside Anglian or Everest – local firms often quote less than national brands
• Check FENSA registration – self-certification avoids the cost of retrospective building control approval (around £700 if you need it later)
• Time your purchase – winter and early spring are quieter, and installers are more willing to negotiate
• Be wary of dramatic same-day discounts – get comparable quotes first so you know the real market price. See our Safestyle review for more on this tactic
• Check for grants – you may qualify for help towards the cost. See our double glazing grants guide for the full list

Remember: patio doors are standard-rated at 20% VAT – they do not qualify for the 0% energy-saving-materials relief (GOV.UK Notice 708/6), so the prices here include 20% VAT. You may also qualify for government funding – see our double glazing grants guide for the full list of current UK schemes.

For a full breakdown of window pricing, see our double glazing cost guide. If you are considering a larger opening, our bifold doors cost guide covers aluminium, uPVC, and timber options with pricing by panel count.

Not sure which installer to choose? Compare the best double glazing companies in the UK. If energy savings are your priority, our guide to energy-efficient windows covers the key specifications.

Laura Bennet

Home Energy & Sustainability Editor

Laura leads coverage on home energy, heating, and sustainable living. With over 12 years in the UK energy sector, she writes about boilers, solar panels, insulation, and eco-friendly upgrades that reduce household costs.

Reviewed by

Tom Reynolds

Business Energy Specialist