- Postcode district
- W8
- 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
- Notting Hill, Chelsea, Hammersmith
- Building rules
- England
Is a timber and alu-clad sliding door a good fit for your home in Kensington?
These are the points a surveyor will go through with you when you choose timber and alu-clad sliding doors for a home in Kensington:
Whether you live in Kensington or elsewhere in Greater London, 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 Kensington, check with the local planning authority before choosing any new door; timber frames are often closer in character to the original joinery.
- 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.
- 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.
- An alu-clad exterior shields the wood from rain and sunlight, so the outside needs only washing while the inside keeps a natural timber finish.
Planning glass for the light in Kensington
Because Kensington sees long summer days (about 16 h 38 min) and short winter ones (about 7 h 50 min), the elevation your door faces makes a real difference. With the midday sun at about 15° in winter, a south-facing door brings light well into the room; a west-facing door catches hot late-afternoon sun in summer.
What should you budget for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Kensington?
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 |
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £5,995–£7,395 |
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £6,495–£7,995 |
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 Kensington
We plan the job around your home in Kensington: 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 Notting Hill or Chelsea, the same process and prices apply.
Do you need approval in Kensington?
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.
Which options matter for timber and alu-clad sliding doors?
- 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.
- Interior finish. Clear lacquer, a wood stain or a painted colour, chosen to match floors, beams or kitchen units.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Kensington
Can you match other doors and windows in my Kensington home?
Usually, yes. Most aluminium and uPVC systems come in standard RAL colours and finishes, and we can quote dual colour where the inside and outside need to differ. Bring photos of existing frames to the survey.
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.
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.