Black sliding doors across Berkshire
Before you settle on a door type, it helps to know what black sliding doors do well and what to check before you order.
Where the rest of a Berkshire home has white windows, a black sliding door on the rear extension can work well, provided the extension reads as a separate, modern addition.
Before ordering black for a listed Berkshire building, or one covered by an Article 4 direction, ask the local planning team whether the change of appearance needs consent.
- Powder coating bonds the black colour to the metal with heat, so the frame does not need repainting, only washing with mild soapy water a few times a year.
- A fine-textured sandtex finish has a slightly gritty surface that disguises fingerprints, light scratches and water marks better than a smooth black coating.
- With a dual colour frame you can keep black outside for the architecture and choose a lighter colour inside, so a small room does not feel enclosed by dark framing.
Guide prices for black sliding doors in Berkshire
Guide prices are the same across Berkshire: the fitted price depends on the size, system and specification, not your postcode. These figures are for a standard 2.1 m high door, fitted, including VAT and removal of an old door of similar size.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m | 2 panels | £3,695–£4,495 |
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £5,595–£6,895 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £6,095–£7,395 |
| 4.8 m | 4 panels | £6,995–£8,495 |
Every size is on the black sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Berkshire
The midday sun over Berkshire ranges from about 15° at the winter solstice to about 62° at midsummer. Low-angle winter light reaches further into a room through a tall door, which is one reason taller panels are worth considering; on south or west walls, pair them with solar-control glass.
Where we fit in Berkshire
We cover Reading, Slough, Bracknell, Maidenhead, Wokingham, Newbury and the rest of Berkshire.
Approvals in England
English Building Regulations treat a new or replacement external door in an existing home as a controlled fitting: it needs a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better (or Doorset Energy Rating band C) if more than 60% of it is glazed (Approved Document L), and safety glass in a critical location (Approved Document K). Compliance is arranged through a competent person scheme installer or a Building Control notification, so you get a certificate for your records.
Questions about black sliding doors in Berkshire
How soon can you survey in Berkshire?
Surveys in Berkshire are booked at a time that suits you, and we offer survey dates when we reply to your enquiry. After you approve the written quote, manufacture is typically 4–6 weeks after survey sign-off.
Do black sliding doors get hot in the sun?
Yes, black frames absorb more solar heat than lighter colours, so on a south- or west-facing elevation they can become hot to touch on a sunny afternoon. Good thermally broken aluminium systems are designed to handle the extra expansion. If the glass area is large, solar-control glass helps limit how much heat passes into the room as well.
What is the difference between RAL 9005 and RAL 9004?
RAL 9005 is jet black, the deepest standard black, while RAL 9004 is signal black, which is very slightly lighter and softer. Side by side, 9005 looks more intense and 9004 can appear marginally warmer. On a door frame the difference is subtle, so most people decide by looking at both samples against their own brick or render.
What is a sandtex finish?
Sandtex is a common trade name for a fine-textured powder-coat finish with a slightly sandy feel. It is popular on black frames because the texture breaks up reflections and disguises fingerprints, small scratches and water marks that would stand out on smooth black. It is applied and cured the same way as other powder coatings.