- Postcode district
- SW18
- 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
- Putney, Fulham, Battersea
- Building rules
- England
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Wandsworth: what to know
A few practical points decide whether timber and alu-clad sliding doors suit a particular room and opening:
Because timber and alu-clad sliding doors typically take 8–10 weeks to make, a Wandsworth building programme runs more smoothly when the survey happens as soon as the opening size is fixed.
Whether you live in Wandsworth or elsewhere in Greater London, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
- 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.
- Many timber systems use lift and slide hardware, letting large, heavy panels glide easily and then settle onto compressed seals for a tight closure.
- 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 Wandsworth
Sun angles matter for big glazed doors. Around Wandsworth, 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.
Timber and alu-clad sliding doors prices in Wandsworth
These are guide prices for fitted doors at a standard height, including VAT. They run from an entry-level system to a premium one at the same size; the survey confirms which suits your opening.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.5 m | 2 panels | £5,095–£6,195 |
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £8,395–£10,295 |
| 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.
Timescales for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Wandsworth
Surveys in the SW18 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 Wandsworth?
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.
Choosing the specification
- Glass. Double or triple glazed safety glass, with slim glazing bars available for a period look.
- Timber species. Oak or another hardwood for a visible grain, or engineered softwood where a painted finish is planned.
- Alu-cladding. A powder-coated aluminium outer shell in a standard or RAL colour, with timber left on show inside.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Wandsworth
Can you match other doors and windows in my Wandsworth 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.
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.
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.