French doors cost UK 2026 — materials, sizes, installation
Two outward-opening glazed doors side by side — the UK’s most popular rear-of-house garden door. Real 2026 prices by material and size.
French doors — two outward- or inward-opening glazed doors side by side — have been a British garden-access standard for more than a century. They remain the most popular rear-door choice for UK terraces and semis, partly because they’re cheaper than bi-folds, partly because they suit period properties where bi-fold’s modern look would jar.
Typical UK French doors prices in 2026 (installed, ex-VAT)
| Material | Standard (1.5m) | Wide (1.8m) | Oversize (2.0m+) |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £1,100 – £1,700 | £1,300 – £2,000 | £1,600 – £2,400 |
| Aluminium | £1,600 – £2,400 | £1,900 – £2,800 | £2,300 – £3,400 |
| Composite / GRP | £1,800 – £2,700 | £2,100 – £3,100 | £2,500 – £3,700 |
| Engineered hardwood | £2,200 – £3,400 | £2,600 – £4,000 | £3,200 – £4,800 |
Add sidelights (narrow fixed glazed panels beside the doors) and you’re looking at an extra £400-£800 per sidelight. A full French-doors-plus-two-sidelights unit typically runs £2,500 – £5,000 installed.
What drives the price
- Material: uPVC cheapest; aluminium mid-range; timber/composite premium
- Size: 1.5m fits most Victorian terrace rear elevations. Wider openings often require structural work (new lintel) adding £500-£1,500
- Glass: A-rated double glazing baseline. Triple glazing adds 15-20%; laminated security glass adds 10%
- Panel style: full single-pane (modern) or Georgian-bar paned (traditional). Paned adds £100-£250
- Opening direction: outward-opening standard. Inward-opening adds ~5%
- Threshold: flush threshold (accessibility-friendly, adds £200-£400) vs weathered
- Hardware: multi-point locking standard. Digital locks, premium handles add £100-£400
French vs bi-fold vs patio — which is right?
| Feature | French doors | Bi-fold | Patio (sliding) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical cost (2.4m opening) | £1,700 – £3,000 | £2,400 – £4,500 | £1,900 – £3,200 |
| Opening width when open | Full opening | Full opening | ~50-70% |
| Frame sightlines when closed | Moderate | Thick | Slim |
| Best for | Period + budget | Modern, max openness | Minimal frames |
See our dedicated bi-fold doors cost guide for full bi-fold comparison.
Hidden costs to budget for
- Structural work if widening the opening — £500-£1,500 for new RSL lintel and builders’ work
- Making good — internal plaster reveals + exterior rendering typically £300-£600
- Security glass upgrade — for street-visible doors, specify laminated glass. Add ~10%
Frequently asked questions
Are French doors more secure than a single back door?
A properly-fitted modern French door set with multi-point locking on both leaves is actually more secure than a single back door — four locking points per leaf vs two on a typical single door. Specify laminated glass on the outer pane and PAS 24 certification if security matters.
How long does French door installation take?
Like-for-like replacement (same opening size): 4-6 hours. New opening in a solid wall (needs lintel): 1-2 days including structural work. Lead time from order to install: 4-6 weeks for standard uPVC, 6-8 for aluminium, 8-12 for timber.
Can I get French doors with built-in blinds?
Yes — integral blinds (blinds sealed between the glass panes) add roughly £400-£600 per door leaf. Maintenance-free, operated by a magnetic slider. Worth it for south-facing rooms; unnecessary for north-facing.
Which is cheaper — French doors or patio sliding?
For comparable sizes, French doors are usually 15-25% cheaper than a sliding patio set. French doors have simpler mechanisms and cheaper hardware. Sliding wins on slim sightlines; the price gap is real.
Get four French door quotes
Compare 4 FENSA-registered local installers for your French doors — free, no obligation, 2 minutes.
Sources
- FENSA installer register
- PAS 24 security-door certification standard
- UK aluminium & uPVC door market data 2024-2025
From homeowners like you
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Conservatory roof replacement in Solihull. Four quotes ranged £6,800 to £11,500 for identical spec. Went with the middle one — 30% cheaper than I'd been quoted by a national brand.