Patio doors are one of the most cost-effective ways to bring light into your home and create access to your garden. A standard 2-panel uPVC sliding patio door costs £895–£1,730 installed – 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 installer quotes. All prices include the current 0% VAT rate on energy-saving materials.
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- Standard uPVC sliding doors start from £800 - 2-panel configuration offers most affordable entry point for garden access
- Premium aluminium options reach £3,500 - triple glazing & custom sizes drive costs up 300% versus basic models
- French doors cost 15-25% more than sliding - inward opening mechanism & enhanced security features justify price premium
- Installation adds £300-600 to total project - professional fitting essential for weatherproofing & warranty compliance
- Bifold doors cost 40% more but save space - better choice for smaller patios despite £1,200+ price difference
How Much Do Patio Doors Cost in 2026?
Patio doors cost £630–£3,550 installed, depending on type and material. uPVC French doors are cheapest (from £630), uPVC sliding patio doors start at £800, and aluminium or timber options command a premium.
| Door Type | uPVC Installed | Aluminium Installed | Timber Installed |
|---|---|---|---|
| Sliding Patio | £800–£2,600 | £1,165–£3,075 | £1,345–£3,550 |
| French Doors | £630–£1,900 | £700–£2,500 | £916–£2,800 |
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 2-panel uPVC sliding patio door costs £895–£1,730 installed. Aluminium slides start at £1,165 but offer slimmer frames and smoother operation. Wider 3-panel and 4-panel configurations are available up to 4m.
| Material | 2-Panel Installed | 3-4 Panel Installed |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £895–£1,730 | £1,500–£2,600 |
| Aluminium | £1,165–£2,200 | £2,000–£3,075 |
| Timber | £1,345–£2,400 | £2,200–£3,550 |
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 double 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 20–40% more than standard inline sliders but offer better thermal performance due to tighter seals when closed.
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French Door Prices
French doors are the most affordable patio door option, starting at £630 installed in uPVC. Both doors open outward (or inward) giving 100% of the opening width – ideal for standard 1.2m–1.8m doorways.
| Material | Installed Cost | Best For |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £630–£1,900 | Budget replacement, standard openings |
| Aluminium | £700–£2,500 | Modern aesthetics, slimmer sightlines |
| Timber | £916–£2,800 | Period properties, conservation areas |
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 – for an additional £200–£500 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, the cost of structural work (lintel, making good) adds £500–£1,500 to the total. For a straight replacement of an existing French door, installation is typically a single-day job costing £400–£700 for labour.
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 15–20% more than the North.
| Factor | Impact |
|---|---|
| Material upgrade (uPVC → aluminium) | +30–50% |
| Wider/taller opening | +£300–£800 per extra metre |
| Structural work (new lintel) | +£500–£1,500 |
| Triple glazing upgrade | +10–15% |
| Low/flush threshold | +£100–£300 |
| Colour/RAL finish | +£100–£400 |
| Widening doorway | +£500–£700 |
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. Budget £1,500–£2,500 on top of the door cost for this work.
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 24:2016 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 minimum 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 10–15% more but can bring U-values down to 0.8 – worth considering for north-facing or exposed openings.
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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.
| Feature | Sliding Patio | French Doors | Bifold Doors |
|---|---|---|---|
| Starting price (installed) | £800 | £630 | £1,950 |
| Typical cost (3-bed semi) | £1,200–£1,800 | £900–£1,400 | £3,000–£5,000 |
| % opening when open | 50% | 100% | 90–100% |
| Max practical width | 4m | 1.8m | 6m+ |
| Swing space needed | None | Yes (1.2m+) | Panels stack to side |
| Best for | Standard back doors | Traditional homes | Extensions, garden rooms |
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.
Use our free Double Glazing Cost Estimator to get a personalised cost estimate based on your specific requirements.
Energy Savings with New Patio Doors
Replacing old single-glazed or draughty patio doors with modern double-glazed units can save £100–£200 per year on heating bills. A-rated patio doors with argon-filled cavities and low-E coatings provide the best thermal performance.
Modern patio doors with an A+ energy rating can reduce heat loss through the opening by up to 70% compared to single-glazed alternatives. Look for doors with a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or lower. Check our double glazing grants guide to see if you qualify for funding.
Triple-glazed patio doors cost 15–25% more than double-glazed but offer superior insulation – worth considering if the doors face north or are exposed to prevailing winds. The payback period is typically 8–12 years through reduced energy bills.
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 vary by 30–50% 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 typically quote 20–30% less than national brands
- Check FENSA registration – self-certification saves you £200–£500 on building control fees
- 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: 0% VAT applies to all energy-saving materials including patio doors when installed in residential properties (until March 2027). Your installer should not be charging VAT. On a £2,000 patio door job, this saves £400 compared to the standard 20% rate. 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 windows covers the key specifications.
