- Postcode district
- GL50
- 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
- Tewkesbury, Gloucester, Stroud
- Building rules
- England
Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for your Cheltenham home?
The right door depends on the opening, the room and the way you use the garden. Here is how timber and alu-clad sliding doors tend to work out in practice:
Whether you live in Cheltenham or elsewhere in Gloucestershire, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
Oak floors, exposed beams or a timber kitchen in your Cheltenham home? Matching the inside finish of the door ties the new glazing into the room.
- 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.
- A timber sliding door sits comfortably beside brick, stone, render or weatherboarding, which helps where a modern metal frame would look out of character.
- 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.
How much sun will a door in Cheltenham get?
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Cheltenham, midday sun reaches about 62° in summer and drops to about 15° 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 Cheltenham?
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 Cheltenham home has been measured.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £7,495–£9,095 |
| 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 Cheltenham
We plan the job around your home in Cheltenham: 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 Tewkesbury or Gloucester, the same process and prices apply.
Do you need approval in Cheltenham?
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.
Finishes and extras for timber and alu-clad sliding doors
- Sliding hardware. Inline rollers on smaller doors, or lift and slide gear for larger and heavier panels.
- 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 Cheltenham
Do I need building approval for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Cheltenham?
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.
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.
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 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.