- Postcode district
- BN1
- 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
- Shoreham-by-Sea, Peacehaven, Lewes
- Building rules
- England
Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for your Brighton home?
Here is what to weigh up if you are considering timber and alu-clad sliding doors for a home in Brighton:
Whether you live in Brighton or elsewhere in East Sussex, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
Because timber and alu-clad sliding doors typically take 8–10 weeks to make, a Brighton building programme runs more smoothly when the survey happens as soon as the opening size is fixed.
- Scratches and dents on internal timber faces can usually be sanded and refinished locally, rather than needing a whole panel replaced.
- A timber sliding door sits comfortably beside brick, stone, render or weatherboarding, which helps where a modern metal frame would look out of character.
- Wood is a natural insulator, so timber frames feel warm to the touch in winter and help keep condensation off the inside face of the frame.
How much sun will a door in Brighton get?
At the latitude of Brighton, the midday sun climbs to about 63° in late June but only about 16° in late December, when daylight lasts around 7 h 56 min against 16 h 31 min in midsummer. A south-facing timber and alu-clad sliding door lets that low winter sun deep into the room; on a west or south elevation, solar-control glass keeps summer afternoons comfortable.
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors prices in Brighton
Guide prices are the same across East Sussex: 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 | £5,095–£6,195 |
| 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.
Timescales for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Brighton
Surveys in the BN1 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.
Do you need approval in Brighton?
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.
Choosing the specification
- Glass. Double or triple glazed safety glass, with slim glazing bars available for a period look.
- Interior finish. Clear lacquer, a wood stain or a painted colour, chosen to match floors, beams or kitchen units.
- Handles. Traditional or contemporary handles in bronze, black, satin chrome or brass-effect finishes.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Brighton
Do I need building approval for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Brighton?
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 the difference between timber and alu-clad sliding doors?
The difference is the outside face: a timber sliding door is wood inside and out, while an alu-clad door has a powder-coated aluminium shell fixed over the exterior timber. Alu-clad needs only washing outside and comes in any RAL colour; all-timber needs periodic re-coating but keeps a natural wood look on both faces. The inside is timber either way.
How long do timber sliding doors take to make?
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors typically take 8–10 weeks to make after survey sign-off, longer than metal or uPVC, because each door is joinery-made, factory finished and allowed to cure before delivery. Fitting typically takes 1 day for a two-panel swap and 1–2 days for larger doors. These are typical timescales, confirmed once your order is placed.
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.