Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for homes in Hampshire?
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.
Because timber and alu-clad sliding doors typically take 8–10 weeks to make, a Hampshire building programme runs more smoothly when the survey happens as soon as the opening size is fixed.
Whether you live in Hampshire or elsewhere in Hampshire, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
- Many timber systems use lift and slide hardware, letting large, heavy panels glide easily and then settle onto compressed seals for a tight closure.
- 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.
- 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.
Guide prices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hampshire
Pricing is transparent and does not change because you are in Hampshire. The ranges below cover a standard-height door, fitted, with VAT; options are itemised in your quote.
| 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 |
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £8,395–£10,295 |
| 4.0 m | 3 panels | £9,095–£11,095 |
Every size is on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Hampshire
At the latitude of Hampshire, the midday sun climbs to about 62° in late June but only about 16° in late December, when daylight lasts around 7 h 54 min against 16 h 33 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.
Towns we cover in Hampshire
We survey and fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in 23 towns across Hampshire, including the BH24, BH25, GU11, GU14, GU31, GU34 postcode districts.
Approvals in England
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.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hampshire
Do you fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hampshire?
Yes. We survey and fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hampshire and across Hampshire, including Southampton and Portsmouth. Start with a guide price online or call us, and we will arrange a free survey for a new or replacement door.
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.
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.
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.