Timber and alu-clad sliding doors across Dorset
A few practical points decide whether timber and alu-clad sliding doors suit a particular room and opening:
Where the back of a Dorset 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.
Oak floors, exposed beams or a timber kitchen in your Dorset home? Matching the inside finish of the door ties the new glazing into the room.
- 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.
- Scratches and dents on internal timber faces can usually be sanded and refinished locally, rather than needing a whole panel replaced.
Guide prices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Dorset
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 | £5,095–£6,195 |
| 1.8 m | 2 panels | £5,595–£6,795 |
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £7,495–£9,095 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £9,095–£11,095 |
Every size is on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Dorset
In Dorset the shortest day has roughly 7 h 57 min of daylight and the longest about 16 h 30 min. The noon sun sits near 16° above the horizon in winter and 63° 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.
Towns we cover in Dorset
We survey and fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in 12 towns across Dorset, including the BH15, BH19, BH2, BH20, BH21, BH22 postcode districts.
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 timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Dorset
Is the price different in Dorset?
No. Guide prices for timber and alu-clad sliding 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.
Are timber sliding doors energy efficient?
Timber sliding doors are energy efficient because wood insulates naturally, and engineered timber systems typically achieve whole-door U-values comparable with good thermally broken aluminium, depending on the glass. In England, a new or replacement door in an existing home with more than 60% glazing must reach 1.4 W/m²K or better, and the glazing is specified to meet that. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland set their own energy rules.
How big can a timber sliding door be?
A timber sliding door in our range is typically about 1.5 m to 4.8 m wide overall, in two to four panels, at standard 2.1 m height or taller on request. Individual panel sizes depend on the system and glass weight; larger panels usually move to lift and slide hardware so they stay easy to open. Sizes are confirmed after survey.
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.