- Postcode district
- CO12
- 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
- Felixstowe, Ipswich, Woodbridge
- Building rules
- England
Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for your Harwich home?
Before you settle on a door type, it helps to know what timber and alu-clad sliding doors do well and what to check before you order.
Whether you live in Harwich or elsewhere in Essex, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
For a listed building or a house in a conservation area in Harwich, check with the local planning authority before choosing any new door; timber frames are often closer in character to the original joinery.
- A timber sliding door sits comfortably beside brick, stone, render or weatherboarding, which helps where a modern metal frame would look out of character.
- 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.
- Scratches and dents on internal timber faces can usually be sanded and refinished locally, rather than needing a whole panel replaced.
Planning glass for the light in Harwich
At the latitude of Harwich, the midday sun climbs to about 61° in late June but only about 15° in late December, when daylight lasts around 7 h 45 min against 16 h 43 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.
Typical costs for timber and alu-clad sliding doors around Harwich
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 Harwich home has been measured.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £5,995–£7,395 |
| 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.
From survey to fitted door in Harwich
Here is the usual sequence in Harwich: guide price, free survey, written quote, then manufacture (typically 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off). Fitting typically takes 1 day for a two-panel swap; 1–2 days for larger doors. Nearby, we also survey in Felixstowe, Ipswich and Woodbridge.
Do you need approval in Harwich?
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.
Specification choices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Harwich
- Sliding hardware. Inline rollers on smaller doors, or lift and slide gear for larger and heavier panels.
- Timber species. Oak or another hardwood for a visible grain, or engineered softwood where a painted finish is planned.
- Handles. Traditional or contemporary handles in bronze, black, satin chrome or brass-effect finishes.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Harwich
Do you fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Harwich?
Yes. We survey and fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Harwich and across Essex, including nearby Felixstowe and Ipswich. Start with a guide price online or call us, and we will arrange a free survey for a new or replacement door.
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 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.
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.