Tilt and slide patio doors across Dorset
A few practical points decide whether tilt and slide doors suit a particular room and opening:
Where an old patio door in Dorset rattles or lets in draughts, a sash that seals on all four edges is a practical fix that keeps the same opening.
For a flat in Dorset, check your lease or title deeds and speak to the managing agent, factor or other owners before replacing a balcony door, since flats can need consent that houses do not.
- Locking points engage around the whole perimeter of the sash, much like a window, rather than only along the closing edge.
- A sliding restrictor, available on many systems, limits how far the sash can open, which is useful for upstairs balconies and homes with young children.
- A tilt and slide door fits the same kind of opening as an ordinary patio door, so a draughty older slider can often be swapped without building work.
Guide prices for tilt and slide doors in Dorset
Guide prices are the same across Dorset: 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 2 panels | £1,995–£2,495 |
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £2,395–£2,895 |
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £2,595–£3,195 |
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £2,995–£3,595 |
Every size is on the tilt and slide doors page.
Daylight and glass in Dorset
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Dorset, midday sun reaches about 63° in summer and drops to about 16° in winter. That low winter sun is free heat through south-facing glass; high summer sun is easier to shade with a roof overhang, and solar-control glass helps where there is none.
Towns we cover in Dorset
We survey and fit tilt and slide doors in 12 towns across Dorset, including the BH15, BH19, BH2, BH20, BH21, BH22 postcode districts.
Approvals in England
In England, a replacement sliding door is a controlled fitting under the Building Regulations. In an existing home, a door with more than 60% glazing must reach a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better (or a Doorset Energy Rating of band C) under Approved Document L, and glass in doors must be safety glazing under Approved Document K. We arrange compliance through a competent person scheme installer or by notifying Building Control, and you receive the certificate.
Questions about tilt and slide doors in Dorset
Is the price different in Dorset?
No. Guide prices for tilt and slide doors are the same across mainland Britain, including Dorset. The fitted price depends on size, system, glass and finish, and any structural work, all fixed in your written quote after survey.
How wide can a tilt and slide door be?
A tilt and slide door in our range is typically about 1.5 m to 3 m wide overall, with one opening sash and one fixed panel. The sash size is set by the hardware's weight limit, which is lower than for inline or lift and slide systems. If you need a wider opening, a standard aluminium slider or a lift and slide door is the usual alternative.
Do I need Building Regulations approval for a tilt and slide door?
A tilt and slide door replacing an existing door in England is a controlled fitting, so it must be fitted by an installer registered with a competent person scheme or notified to Building Control, and the glass must be safety glazing to BS EN 12600. Planning permission is not usually needed on a house when the door looks similar. Flats and listed buildings may need consent, and Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own rules.
How long does a tilt and slide door take?
A tilt and slide door typically takes 2–4 weeks to make in uPVC and 4–6 weeks in aluminium, from survey sign-off. Fitting typically takes 1 day for a straight swap in an existing opening, including removing the old door and making good. These are typical times rather than fixed promises, and the date is confirmed once the order is placed.