Creating space in your budget for new front door costs is a must if you're building a new home – and definitely worth considering if you're renovating an old one.
Certain features such as front doors, windows and external finishes can really make or break the entire look of a building. After all, you never really get a second chance to make a good first impression and the same goes for your home. You may have the interior of your dreams, but if your kerb appeal is lacking, it's the first and last memory visitors will have.
That said, it isn’t always necessary to spend a fortune on a new front door as there are plenty of stylish cost-effective options available. Whether you choose a bespoke option or a standard off-the-shelf model, or even decide to head to your local reclamation yard to hunt down a period front door, there are plenty of different choices to suit a whole range of budgets.
In this guide, we explain what you can expect to pay for your new front door costs so that you know how much to set aside.
Why do new front door costs vary a lot?
When you start shopping around front door ideas, you will notice that there are huge variations in what they cost. In general, this is down to security, performance and design.
And while the visual appearance of your front door is clearly important, Elizabeth Assaf, designer at Urban Front tells us you should ask yourself the following list of questions to help guide you in the right direction.
What security do I need?
Do I have gates?
Do I use the front door or the side door more?
Do I want a door that I can open remotely?
Does the door need to have extra security or be on fingerprint entry?
Has the door been security tested and does it meet Secured by Design or other security certifications?
Who is using the door?
How do I want this door to perform for me?
Does it need to have high insulation, high acoustic values and be beautiful?
Does it need maintenance? And if so, is it doable?
Design wise, does the door need to make a big statement? Or do I want it to blend into the exterior?
What materials do I have on my exterior that could affect how the door is chosen?
Do I need to match?
Is the design and finish going to make impact but also work well with all the different materials I have?
Does the style of the house mean I’m limited to a certain design?
Design, security and performance will all impact on your new front door costs(Image credit: Urban Front/Chris Snook Photography)
Elizabeth Assaf
Elizabeth Assaf and her husband Nabil formed Urban Front back in 2005. Even today the doors are all handmade in the UK and signed off with their careful attention to detail and design.
New front door costs usually exclude installation
Depending on where you decide to buy your new front door from, you may find that installation will be included in the purchase price – but this won’t always be the case so do ask before settling on a quote.
It is rare to find that off-the-shelf front doors will include any kind of installation service, in which case you will need to seek out a local carpenter or joiner to come and fit it. Some people do choose to fit front doors on a DIY basis, but given that this is an element of your house that your insurance company will have security requirements for, it's not a job to be attempted unless you are 100% confident of your skills.
The type of door you choose will have an affect on installation costs. Checkatrade suggest you allow for £500 upwards, although more complex designs, such as pivot doors or those that feature lots of glazing, could cost well into the £1,000s to fit.
Pivot doors or over-sized models will cost more to fit than standard off-the-shelf front doors(Image credit: Urban Front/Andy Stagg Photography)
Wooden front doors
Wooden front doors are hugely popular for a reason - not only do they come in a massive range of styles to suit any house type, but they are also an option for pretty much any budget. Timber doors can be picked up in standard sizes from DIY warehouses or be made to order. Not only do they suit period homes, but they also come in some highly contemporary designs too.
Softwood front doors lie at the cheaper end of the price scale, but avoid very cheap products as they can be prone to twisting, splitting and warping over time. Hardwood doors can also be prone to movement, so whichever wood you choose, you will need to ensure it has been properly primed and treated. Some will come pre-treated, while others will require you do to this yourself – ask your supplier what preservatives they recommend.
However, if you are opting for an off-the-shelf version, be sure to check it is "comparable with other security-tested doors that are currently on the market," says Elizabeth Assaf.
Heat-treated woods, such as Accoya will offer better stability, but are more expensive. Engineered timber doors will also be far less prone to movement than solid wood designs.
Cost: Solid softwood timber doors, such as this unfinished LPD Doors External FL&B Redwood Door from Jewson are available for around £200 but it is unfinished will require more work before it can be used.
Westbury Windows & Joinery for example, have a starting price of £2,869 & VAT (excluding fitting) for an Accoya hardwood timber door.
A good quality hardwood door may suit older properties more than a contemporary one(Image credit: Sophie Allport)
Aluminum front doors
Aluminium front doors are fast becoming popular for a number of reasons, says Graham Lindsay, managing director of Weru UK.
"Many homeowners are now choosing a stylised aluminium door, with unique features such as auto locking, bespoke RAL colour tones and LED lighting. It's a higher-value option," says Graham, "but it is an investment for life.
"Aluminium doors are among the best in the market for their insulation properties," he adds, "and due to the nature of aluminium, they are faff free too. Unlike other materials, they don’t need painting, or weather resisting, they are strong and durable and won’t rot or peel.
And while they work well with contemporary homes, Graham says there has been a surge in demand for them being used on renovation projects too.
Cost: "You should be able to buy an aluminium door from £1500," says Elizabeth Assaf but this will be an off-the-shelf version. Origin aluminium front doors start from £6500 + VAT, which doesn’t include fitting. Weru UK offer a wide range of custom made aluminium front doors starting from £3,850 & VAT (excluding installation).
Although this can seem expensive compared to other options, bear in mind that their low-maintenance requirements offset the initial outlay.
Aluminium doors combine good-looks, thermal efficiency and great security making them a long term investment(Image credit: Weru UK)
Graham Lindsay
Graham Lindsay has over 30 years of experience in the industry, having set up the UK arm of Weru in 1985. His vast amount of knowledge on doors and windows is widely shared with customers and staff alike.
Composite front doors
If you've heard the term but aren't sure what is a composite front door, it has an insulating core of solid timber or rigid foam and can be covered in various materials, such as timber or glass reinforced plastic (GRP).
This is a good option for most styles of property, whether you are looking for a maintenance free traditional timber-look front door, or a contemporary design. They are also cheaper than uPVC.
Cost: When it comes to prices, you can expect to pay £750 upwards for your new front door costs . If you're looking for a traditional timber design, as an example, Door Superstore has this Crystal Fully Finished 6 Panel Black Composite Glazed Front Door available for £833, although some complete door sets can cost as much as £2,500+.
Composite front doors are a great low maintenance alternative to timber and can suit traditional or contemporary homes(Image credit: Thames Valley Windows)
Brighten up your entrance with these front door mats
Welcome Pink Fan Doormat
A textured rectangular doormat with fun pink design
Doormat Triple Stripe Large Forest Green
A rich forest green doormat with triple stripe design
John Lewis Diamond Scraper Door Mat
Clean your shoes easily with this scraper door mat
uPVC front doors
As one of the more budget-friendly front door options, uPVC front doors have come a long way in both design terms and energy efficiency over recent years. Available in a wide selection of designs, colours and finishes, they could also be a solution if you are looking to avoid new double glazing costs and want a front door that matches existing windows.
Cost: As with any door you purchase from a DIY store or merchant, installation costs won't be included. If you're seeking a contemporary finish, B&Q have this Fortia Curral Frosted Glazed Anthracite LH External Front Door set for £397 which includes the frame, as well as more traditional options. If you want to add sidelights, expect to pay closer to £900+. Door hardware and fixings may also need to be purchased separately.
Worried that if you choose a white uPCV door you may want to change the colour eventually? Follow our guide to painting a uPVC door to get the best finish and choose the best front door colours to enhance your exterior.
A new uPCV door may match your existing windows and help save on overall renovation costs(Image credit: John Keeble/Getty Images)
FAQs
How much do reclaimed doors cost?
This will totally depend on the material, condition and style of door you are after. Door types that are not as sought after, such as 1960s doors, may cost less than authentic Georgian designs. You could pay as little as £30 for a door in poor condition with hardly any features, although between £60-£100 is more common.
You will also need to factor in the cost of door refurbishment, such as painting a front door and new glazing.
Are there any additional new front door costs?
There are several hidden costs involved when buying a new front door. Your door furniture ideas could end up increasing your costs as items, such as handles, letterboxes and decorate accessories such as door knockers, often won’t be included in the initial price. Check whether the frame and any necessary fixings are incorporated into the price too.
How long will a bespoke door take?
"A bespoke door will take around 8 weeks to arrive," says Elizabeth Assaf, "but you can buy some doors off the shelf if the size is standard, and you’ve made your opening to that size. This is more difficult to do however if the door has side lights or over panels."
If you're are opting for a new bespoke front door, you'll want to make sure you get the sizing right in order to get an accurate price. But what measurements do you need to supply?
"In brief, to get a quote, you just need the structural opening size which is the width and height of the door and any glazing to the sides and/or above the door," says Elizabeth Assaf. This can be a rough measurement but must include the frames wall-to-wall (not just the door leaf itself)."
However, if you're opting for a DIY approach, find out how to fit an external door to make sure your home is safe and secure.
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Natasha is Homebuilding & Renovating’s Associate Content Editor and has been a member of the team for over two decades. An experienced journalist and renovation expert, she has written for a number of homes titles. Over the years Natasha has renovated and carried out a side extension to a Victorian terrace. She is currently living in the rural Edwardian cottage she renovated and extended on a largely DIY basis, living on site for the duration of the project. She is now looking for her next project — something which is proving far harder than she thought it would be.
