Are secure sliding doors right for homes in Northamptonshire?
Most homeowners choosing secure sliding doors want the same things: more light, a clear view and a door that is easy to live with.
For a new-build or conversion in Northamptonshire with a security condition attached, send us the specification before we quote so the right system is chosen from the start.
Replacing an old slider in Northamptonshire that has its glass beads on the outside? That is a weakness a modern internally glazed door removes.
- Internally glazed or secured beads mean the glass cannot be removed from the outside, closing off a route that some older doors left open.
- Laminated glass has a tough interlayer that holds the pane together when struck, so even a cracked panel resists an attempt to break through.
- An anti-snap key cylinder is designed to resist the snapping attack used on many older euro cylinders, protecting the lock itself.
Guide prices for secure sliding doors in Northamptonshire
Use these guide prices to budget. They include VAT, fitting and taking away an old door of a similar size. Taller doors, triple glazing and dual colour add to the figure — the online tool shows how much.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 2 panels | £3,295–£4,095 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £6,095–£7,395 |
| 4.8 m | 4 panels | £6,995–£8,495 |
| 6.0 m | 4 panels | £8,295–£10,095 |
Every size is on the secure sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Northamptonshire
In Northamptonshire the shortest day has roughly 7 h 41 min of daylight and the longest about 16 h 48 min. The noon sun sits near 14° above the horizon in winter and 61° in summer — so glass that faces south collects useful warmth from October to March, while a west-facing door may need solar control to stop it overheating in July.
Where we fit in Northamptonshire
We cover Northampton, Corby, Kettering, Wellingborough, Rushden, Daventry and the rest of Northamptonshire.
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 secure sliding doors in Northamptonshire
Do I need building approval for secure sliding doors in Northamptonshire?
In England a replacement door is a controlled fitting, so compliance is arranged through a competent person scheme installer or Building Control; new openings need a Building Regulations application. We confirm the right route for your property at survey, so the paperwork is in place before fitting.
What is Secured by Design?
Secured by Design is a police-backed initiative that sets security standards for homes and products, and its requirements for doors build on PAS 24. Products and developments can gain recognition under the scheme. We are not a Secured by Design member company; if a project specifies it, tell us at the start so we can check what the specification requires.
Does Approved Document Q apply to my replacement door?
No, Approved Document Q sets security requirements for doors and windows in new dwellings in England and does not apply when you replace a door in an existing home. Choosing a door tested to PAS 24 is still a sensible benchmark for a replacement, because it gives you a recognised standard rather than relying on how the hardware looks.
What is PAS 24?
PAS 24 is the UK enhanced security test standard for doorsets, including sliding doors. A door tested to it has been subjected to timed manual attacks with hand tools, mechanical loading of the panels and locks, and tests on how the glass is held. It applies to the complete doorset as tested, not to individual handles or locks on their own.