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myCost of French Doors
At a Glance
- The average cost to install French doors is £1,200.
- It will take roughly 2 days to complete.
- A breakdown of pricing information for different types of French doors.
- How long the job will take and a general overview of what the job entails.
- How to find and hire a French door installer.
- Any additional or hidden costs.
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Do you want to find out how much French doors cost to install?
In the following price guide, we’ll break down the average cost of French doors.
This guide will also delve into relevant topics such as upvc French patio doors, double glazed French doors, additional costs, and labour fees and timeframes.
Looking for a French doors installation quote from a tradesperson?
Well, we've got you covered there too! Take a look at our local French door installers who will be happy to give you a free quote!
For more information, take a look below!
£1,200
Table of Contents
- How Much Are French Doors?
- French Door Prices
- Supply Cost of French Doors
- Additional French Door Costs
- French Door Fitters Cost & Timescales
- Factors That Impact French Door Installation Costs
- What's Involved in Installing French Doors?
- Choosing French Doors
- Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install French Doors
How Much Are French Doors?
Let's dive straight in...
It costs about £1,765 to £2,165 to replace existing French doors. However, if you’d like to turn an existing window into new uPVC French doors, expect a total cost of £2,365 to £2,665.
What about creating an entirely new opening?
To create a new opening and install these types of doors would set you back roughly £3,100 to £3,400.
What about the cost of different types of French doors?
For fixed French patio doors, they would cost about £1,000 to £1,700 to fit. Sliding patio French doors would probably cost between £1,440 and £1,600 to install.
Let's look at the different materials and glazing costs...
In general, the cost to fit French doors that are made of uPVC will land about £1,000 to £1,200. If you’d like to have aluminium French doors installed, expect to pay around £1,300 to £1,500.
The French door installation costs land about £2,100 to £2,400 for solid oak laminate French doors and £1,350 to £1,750 for softwood French doors.
Should you wish for them to be triple glazed, expect an installation cost of about £1,500 to £1,700.
A significant cost factor is the size of the doors.
Depending on the material chosen, installing 1200 x 2100 French doors will probably cost between £1,000 and £1,500. The cost would rise to approximately £1,000 to £1,600 for 1500 x 2100 French doors or £1,100 to £1,700 for 1800 x 2100 French doors.
What other cost factors can affect the overall price?
Additional cost factors are the type of door opening, the state of the installation area, ease of access and where your property is located (as door fitters charge different rates across the UK).
What's the best type of lock for French doors that open outwards?
"Hi Assuming you have upvc/plastic doors, then the previous answer is correct. If you have timber doors without multi point lock (lift handle to lock), then you might need a 5 lever sash/dead lock. It is important to measure the centre of the leading edge of the door (lock location).
These can range from 2 to 3 inches, taking the rebate into consideration if it has it. If it has, then a rebate kit to suit will be required. If you have a period building, then a French lock might be preferable (bolt that runs the full length of the door located in the top frame and bottom threshold). If you Google my terminology, then you will get a better picture.
Good luck"
These can range from 2 to 3 inches, taking the rebate into consideration if it has it. If it has, then a rebate kit to suit will be required. If you have a period building, then a French lock might be preferable (bolt that runs the full length of the door located in the top frame and bottom threshold). If you Google my terminology, then you will get a better picture.
Good luck"
French Door Prices
Let's take a closer look at some French doors prices, sorted by material, size, and number of doors:
French Door Installation Prices by Type/Material
| Type/Material | Labour Costs | Supply Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard | £400 – £700 | £1,300 – £1,700 | £1,700 – £2,400 |
| Sliding | £840 – £900 | £600 – £700 | £1,440 – £1,600 |
| uPVC | £250 – £350 | £700 – £900 | £950 – £1,250 |
| Solid Oak Laminate | £400 – £500 | £1,700 – £1,900 | £2,100 – £2,400 |
| Aluminium | £200 – £300 | £1,000 – £1,100 | £1,300 – £1,500 |
| Softwood | £250 – £350 | £1,000 – £1,400 | £1,350 – £1,750 |
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French Door Installation Prices by Size
Let's take a closer look at the prices for different sizes, from narrow French doors to the standard French door size:
| Size | Labour Costs | Supply Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1,200 x 2,100 | £750 – £1,250 | £250 | £1,000 – £1,500 |
| 1,500 x 2,100 | £750 – £1,350 | £250 | £1,000 – £1,600 |
| 1,800 x 2,100 | £800 – £1,400 | £300 | £1,100 – £1,700 |
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French Door Installation Prices by Number of Doors
In this table, we look at the installation cost based on the number of doors, including double French doors. However, it's also worth noting the increase in price with larger installations may vary if substantial structural support is required.
| Number of Doors | Labour Costs | Supply Costs | Total Cost |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2 Doors | £300 – £600 | £1,465 – £1,665 | £1,765 – £2,165 |
| 4 Doors | £300 – £600 | £3,230 – £3,730 | £3,530 – £4,330 |
| 6 Doors | £300 – £600 | £4,295 – £5,895 | £5,295 – £6,495 |
| 8 Doors | £300 – £600 | £6,760 – £8,060 | £7,060 – £8,660 |
Supply Cost of French Doors
Supply costs are the cost of French doors, excluding any labour fees. So, if you're considering installing French doors yourself - these estimations are for you!
The following table provides a general cost guide by size for the supply cost of a standard French door, although prices may vary depending on the style and material used:
| Door Size (mm) | Cost Range (£) |
|---|---|
| 1,200 x 2,100 | £700 – £1,300 |
| 1,500 x 2,100 | £750 – £1,350 |
| 1,800 x 2,100 | £800 – £1,400 |
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The following table gives an idea of the door style by average supply cost based on the material type for a standard size door:
| Door Style / Material | Cost Range |
|---|---|
| Sliding patio French doors | £600 – £700 |
| uPVC French doors | £700 – £900 |
| Aluminium French doors | £1,000 – £1,100 |
| Softwood French doors | £1,000 – £1,400 |
| Triple glazed uPVC French doors | £1,250 – £1,400 |
| Standard French door sizes | £1,300 – £1,700 |
| Solid oak laminate French doors | £1,700 – £1,900 |
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Additional French Door Costs
When you're having new French doors added, you may find that it’s a good chance to get some other work out of the way. In this section, we’ll take a closer look at some relevant additional jobs you may want to get done at the same time:
Front Door Replacement Cost
If you have French doors installed inside your home, you may want to upgrade your home's external doors, too. Replacing your front door costs around £1,000 and will take about 2 to 5 hours to fit.
Though a standard front door installation will likely cost between £500 and £2,500, a custom-made door will cost closer to £2,000 and £4,500.
Window Replacement Cost
Your property's windows can also leak a lot of heat - especially if they're broken, damaged, or single-glazed. If you want to upgrade your windows to double glazing from single glazing, you can expect to pay £4,500 for the cost of fitting double glazed windows, with an individual small uPVC window costing £100.
If you live on a particularly loud road or are living by the sea with harsh elements, you may want to switch out your existing frames for triple glazing, where three glass panes are set within a sealed frame. Installing triple glazing costs around £4,000 on average.
Window Repair Cost
However, if just one of your home's windows has been damaged, you can simply get this replaced at a much lower cost than an entirely new set. Replacing a blown window costs £70, with higher costs associated with larger panes of glass.
Skip Hire Cost
You'll need a way of getting rid of all your project's debris. Skip hire costs depend entirely on the size of the skip and the waste you're removing, but are generally around £220.
It's important to ask your trader if the cost of hiring a skip is included in their quote, or if it's something extra you'll need to account for, as this can come as an unexpected expense.
My children have a habit of slamming the French doors to our garden, despite telling them not to. Are there any mechanisms we can fit to prevent them getting damaged?
"Yes, there is a door closer product that can be fitted to the door."
French Door Fitters Cost & Timescales
On average, the total labour cost of having French doors installed will land between £250 and £450. Although this is based on needing no more than 2 people working on the installation, whereas in some circumstances (such as larger projects) an additional labourer may be required for heavy lifting or helping with structural work.
The labour costs and timescales may also vary depending on if any additional preparation work is required, the location of the property (with London and the South East being more expensive) and should adverse weather conditions prolong/postpone the completion of the job.
While it may only take less than an hour to remove an old window or to start knocking down a wall, installing French doors can usually take anywhere between 2 to 8 hours to complete the job. However, larger or more complex projects can take a couple of days - especially if there's structural work required at the same time or any unforeseen issues along the way.
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Factors That Impact French Door Installation Costs
Let's break down the cost factors for fitting French doors in more detail to help you budget for your project:
Type of French Doors
One of the key cost factors is the type of French doors you’d like to have installed.
Sliding patio doors are often the more affordable option, with an average cost of around £600 to £700, whereas standard French doors may cost between £1,300 and £1,700.
To keep your French door costs down, opt for simple mechanisms.
Size of French Doors
As with most home renovation jobs, the larger the size, the higher the price - and the same is true with French door installation costs.
While it can be as little as £700 for 1,200 x 2,100 doors, it can be as much as £1,400 to have 1,800 x 2,100 French doors installed.
Opting for standard French door sizes can help to keep your costs down instead of getting custom French doors made to order.
Number of Doors
As you'd expect, the more doors you’d like to have installed, the higher your supply expenses will be - and the more the final bill will be.
Materials Used
French door materials also impact your overall costs. uPVC is usually the more budget friendly option, with uPVC French doors costing about £700 to £900. On the other hand, solid oak laminate French doors cost almost £2,000 on average. Although there are trade-offs depending which price bracket you choose, while the price for aluminium and softwood French doors usually fall somewhere in the middle.
If you want a higher-quality French door material, consider having the doors as a smaller feature in your home to keep your overall costs down.
Location of Property
Door fitters charge about £14 an hour, but their rates vary depending on where you live. In London and the southeast in general, labour rates tend to be higher than the rest of the country.
The cost of hiring a door fitter is generally lower in Scotland, the north of England, and Northern Ireland due to the lower cost of living.
Ease of Access
How accessible the area is could also play a role in the total cost of this work. This relates to the fact that the easier it is for a labourer to work, generally the quicker the work will be, and this would mean a lower labour cost.
Though this might not be the case if, for example, a company/contractor charges a set labour rate for a job regardless of how long it takes.
What's Involved in Installing French Doors?
It's not recommended to attempt fitting French doors yourself, especially due to the level of expertise required to ensure they are installed correctly. Especially given the job is not only physically demanding, but may need additional work done such as adding structural support to the walls and your property in general.
With this in mind, MyJobQuote can help locate French door installers in your area, so that you can gain several quotes without any commitment to hire.
To give you an idea of the French door installation process, here are the steps involved:
Before
- Choosing the Doors — Firstly, you’ll need to decide what design, size, and type of French doors you’d like, as well as the material. By deciding on a budget, you can narrow down your choices and go from there.
During
- Remove the Existing Doors or Windows — On the day of the installation work, the first practical step will be to remove what is currently present. This might mean removing existing doors or an existing window or making a new opening by knocking down part of a wall.
- Take out the Hinges and Frame — Assuming that existing doors are being removed, this will start with the removal of the hinges. Next, the frame should be removed before the opening is checked to ensure that it is clean and smooth.
- Replacing Damaged Elements — If the opening isn’t clean and smooth, some old elements like rotting timber should be replaced.
- Install the New Doors — Regardless of the type and size of the door and the materials it’s made from, each set of doors will come with its own instructions.
After
- Cleaning Up — After the installation is complete, the work area will be cleared of any debris, dust, and leftover materials. This should be included within the cost, but if in doubt check before proceeding.
Are French doors or sliding doors safer?
"The locks all meet full locks standards, but French doors do tend to be a little more secure."
Choosing French Doors
For many homeowners, there are 3 main reasons for choosing to install French Doors:
- Aesthetics - Allows natural light, creating the illusion of more space and better integrating indoor and outdoor areas.
- Functional — Make better use of your space by opening up the room, French doors help to maximise interior areas efficiently.
- Security - High-quality installations can enhance your home security and reduce the risk of a break in.
To help you make a decision, we’ll now look more closely at the different types of French doors based on their design/style and the materials used:
Standard French Doors Cost
Regular French doors simply open outwards. Sometimes, they can open inwards or even both, but this is uncommon. If they are external French doors, as is usually the case, they lead outside and generally into a garden.
Standard French doors will feature large glass panels designed to allow plenty of natural light to brighten the home. This will prove particularly beneficial if the doors lead into your kitchen, adding an extra flair to the room and bringing it to life. Most standard French doors cost about £1,300 to £1,700.
Pros
- ✔ Generally easier to install.
- ✔ Let in lots of light.
Cons
- ✖ May not be considered as stylish.
- ✖ Do not use space as effectively as sliding doors.
- ✖ More expensive than sliding French doors.
Sliding Doors Cost
A more affordable alternative to French doors are doors that slide open along a track. The classic style of a sliding door is appealing to some homeowners, with the main advantage being that they use up less space, as they don't need to protrude outwards.
Unlike many standard sliding patio doors, you can choose a design where neither side is permanently fixed. This style of patio door usually cost between £600 and £700.
Pros
- ✔ Often more affordable than French doors.
- ✔ Uses the space more effectively.
Cons
- ✖ May be more difficult to install.
uPVC French Doors Cost
Unplasticised Polyvinyl Chloride or uPVC is always a popular choice when it comes to French doors, as the price point of around £700 to £900 is often lower than the alternatives. uPVC French doors are still a great way of insulating your home.
uPVC is a durable and long-lasting material, and if you already have plenty of uPVC windows throughout your home, uPVC French doors would be a good fit. That said, they lack some of the aesthetic qualities that other materials can offer.
Pros
- ✔ Lower material cost.
- ✔ Durable.
- ✔ Long-lasting.
- ✔ Fits well with uPVC windows.
Cons
- ✖ Not the most aesthetically pleasing.
What's the cost to take out a window and replace it with uPVC French doors? Rough measurements are width 2,380mm x height 1,200mm.
"The cost of supplying and fitting uPVC French doors and taking out the old window would be roughly £1,400 due to a secondary survey on the property."
Solid Oak Laminate French Doors Cost
One material worth considering is solid oak laminate, specifically with clear glazing. This material is more durable and resistant to scratches and moisture than timber. However, any laminate material is still prone to water damage in the long run and is at risk of losing its shape over time.
Solid oak laminate also lacks the aesthetic quality of real wood. The main drawback of solid oak laminate French doors is that they cost about £1,700 to £1,900, making them particularly expensive.
Pros
- ✔ Durable.
- ✔ Resistant to scratches.
- ✔ Resistant to moisture (up to a point).
Cons
- ✖ Costly.
- ✖ Can become misshapen.
Aluminium French Doors Cost
A less common but notable choice are aluminium French doors. With an average cost of £1,000 to £1,100, these doors are actually not always as expensive as you might imagine. However, plenty of aluminium doors will be significantly more expensive than the average price range. Among the benefits of these doors are their strength, durability, and stability.
However, aluminium French doors are susceptible to water staining. Since the UK is prone to rain and some areas more so than others, aluminium doors may not be the most suitable option for homeowners here.
Pros
- ✔ Not overly expensive.
- ✔ Strong.
- ✔ Durable.
- ✔ Stable.
Cons
- ✖ Prone to water staining.
- ✖ Not the most suitable option for UK homeowners.
Timber French Doors Cost
Softwood French doors are very common, although hardwood French doors also exist. The key advantage of timber French doors is how they look. They are the most popular choice among homeowners, and most would lay this down to their rustic and traditional appearance.
They can also be painted to match the exterior of your home if you’d like. On the other hand, timber is prone to rot and moisture damage. They do require quite a lot of maintenance compared with other materials, and they are not as durable. Most timber doors cost about £1,000 to £1,400.
Pros
- ✔ Relatively cheap.
- ✔ Commonplace.
- ✔ Rustic and traditional aesthetic.
Cons
- ✖ At risk of rot and water damage.
- ✖ Not as durable as most.
- ✖ Requires a lot of maintenance.
What would it cost to remove the brickwork below the current lounge window, and insert standard uPVC French doors? Approximate space would be 2,100mm X 2,100mm.
"It's difficult to give an exact price for this, but I would say between £2,000 and £3,000."
Checklist: Hiring Contractors to Install French Doors
Here is the checklist you’ll need to find the right contractor to fit French doors:
- Experience - The most important thing to consider is how experienced the labourer(s) are. After all, if you’re choosing not to fit the doors yourself due to a lack of experience, you’ll want to hire someone who has a good background with door fitting.
- References - You should ask for references when hiring a door fitter. This is to ensure that their previous work was rated well by customers.
- Accreditation and Qualifications - You might also want to ask about any accreditation and qualifications that they have.
FAQs
Can I Install French Doors Myself?
Only if you have extensive joinery knowledge and experience. Otherwise it's safer to hire a professional so you avoid mistakes, damage to your property, injury and a poorly executed job.
Can You Adjust French Doors?
To adjust a French door, you need to turn the corner bearing the adjusting screw. In order to do this, you’ll need to check the distance between the frame and leaf of the French doors before removing the plastic covering that is on the corner bearings. The exact approach required will vary depending on the design of the doors.
How Long Do French Doors Last?
French doors last on average 30 years.
How To Clean French Patio Doors?
One approach is to use warm and soapy water. Use a damp sponge and run this mixture along the frame. Ensure that you wipe off any leftover moisture. A soft brush can be used to get rid of any particularly dirty parts of the doors.
What Types of Locks Are Best for French Doors?
Multipoint locking systems are highly recommended for added security. While modern French doors will often include key-operated locks as standard, additional locks at multiple levels (top, middle and bottom) will make them much harder to open and can deter potential intruders.
Can French Doors Increase the Value of Your Home?
Yes, French doors can add features that are often attractive to potential buyers by improving natural light, enhancing access to outdoor spaces, and increasing overall aesthetic appeal.
