- Postcode district
- TR11
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement doors
- Typical lead time
- Typically 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off
- Guide price
- From £5,095 inc VAT
- Nearby
- Truro, Redruth, Helston
- Building rules
- England
Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for your Falmouth home?
A few practical points decide whether timber and alu-clad sliding doors suit a particular room and opening:
If your Falmouth home is a period property or a barn conversion, timber and alu-clad sliding doors can bring in more light without the modern look of a metal frame.
Where the back of a Falmouth home faces south and takes full sun, choosing alu-clad keeps the timber protected and cuts out the re-coating that strong sunlight makes necessary.
- Engineered timber is laminated from several layers with the grain opposed, so frames resist the twisting and warping that solid timber can suffer as the seasons change.
- The inside face can be finished to match existing oak floors, stair parts or window boards, so the new door feels part of the room rather than an addition.
- Stains, paints and lacquers are sprayed in the factory under controlled conditions, giving a more even and longer-lasting coat than a finish brushed on site.
Planning glass for the light in Falmouth
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Falmouth, 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.
What should you budget for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Falmouth?
The table shows guide prices for common sizes, supplied and fitted, including VAT. Your exact price is fixed in a written quote once the opening in your Falmouth home has been measured.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 2 panels | £5,095–£6,195 |
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £6,495–£7,995 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £9,095–£11,095 |
See every size on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page or try the guide price tool.
Survey, manufacture and fitting around Falmouth
We plan the job around your home in Falmouth: survey first, then a written quote, then manufacture (typically 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off). The fitting itself usually takes 1 day for a two-panel swap; 1–2 days for larger doors. If you are in Truro or Redruth, the same process and prices apply.
Rules for timber and alu-clad sliding doors 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.
Finishes and extras for timber and alu-clad sliding doors
- Interior finish. Clear lacquer, a wood stain or a painted colour, chosen to match floors, beams or kitchen units.
- Alu-cladding. A powder-coated aluminium outer shell in a standard or RAL colour, with timber left on show inside.
- Sliding hardware. Inline rollers on smaller doors, or lift and slide gear for larger and heavier panels.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Falmouth
How soon can you survey in Falmouth?
Surveys in the TR11 district 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 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off.
Are timber sliding doors secure?
Timber sliding doors are secure when built with multi-point locking, laminated glass and robust sections, because engineered timber gives the locking keeps a solid, dense fixing. Timber systems are available tested to PAS 24, the UK enhanced security test standard for doorsets. Internally beaded glass and a key-locking handle add further resistance to forced entry.
How often do timber sliding doors need treating?
Timber sliding doors need the outside re-coated every few years, depending on how exposed the elevation is and which finish system is used; doors facing full sun or coastal weather need attention soonest. Alu-clad doors avoid this, needing only an occasional wash outside. Inside, timber only needs wiping and an occasional refresh of the lacquer or oil, and a clean track protects the rollers.
Can I fit timber sliding doors to a listed building or in a conservation area?
Timber sliding doors can suit listed buildings and conservation areas, but listed buildings and properties under an Article 4 direction may need consent before any door is changed, so check with your local planning authority first. In England, replacing doors on an ordinary house with similar-looking ones is usually permitted development. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own planning rules.