- Postcode district
- EX1
- 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
- Crediton, Exmouth, Tiverton
- Building rules
- England
Is a timber and alu-clad sliding door a good fit for your home in Exeter?
Most homeowners choosing timber and alu-clad sliding doors want the same things: more light, a clear view and a door that is easy to live with.
Where the back of an Exeter 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.
Whether you live in Exeter or elsewhere in Devon, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
- A timber sliding door sits comfortably beside brick, stone, render or weatherboarding, which helps where a modern metal frame would look out of character.
- 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.
- 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.
Sunlight, glass and orientation in Exeter
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Exeter, 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.
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors prices in Exeter
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 Exeter home has been measured.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £8,395–£10,295 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £9,095–£11,095 |
| 4.8 m | 4 panels | £10,395–£12,595 |
See every size on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page or try the guide price tool.
How fitting works in Exeter
Surveys in the EX1 district are booked at a time that suits you. After you approve the quote, manufacture is typically 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off; on fitting day the old door comes out, the new frame is set level and sealed, and the panels are adjusted so they glide properly. Fitting usually takes 1 day for a two-panel swap; 1–2 days for larger doors.
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.
Options to consider for your timber and alu-clad sliding door
- Glass. Double or triple glazed safety glass, with slim glazing bars available for a period look.
- Handles. Traditional or contemporary handles in bronze, black, satin chrome or brass-effect finishes.
- Timber species. Oak or another hardwood for a visible grain, or engineered softwood where a painted finish is planned.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Exeter
How soon can you survey in Exeter?
Surveys in the EX1 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 much do timber sliding doors cost?
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors start from a guide price of £5,095 for a 1.5 m two-panel door, fitted, inc VAT, at standard 2.1 m height. A 2.4 m door is a guide £6,495–£7,995, and a 4.8 m four-panel door is around £10,395. Species, cladding, finish and glass all affect the figure, and the final price is fixed in a written quote after survey.
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.