- Postcode district
- CT21
- 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
- Folkestone, Ashford, Dover
- Building rules
- England
What timber and alu-clad sliding doors offer homes in Hythe
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:
Where the back of a Hythe home faces south and takes full sun, choosing alu-clad keeps the timber protected and cuts out the re-coating that strong sunlight makes necessary.
Oak floors, exposed beams or a timber kitchen in your Hythe home? Matching the inside finish of the door ties the new glazing into the room.
- 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.
- Scratches and dents on internal timber faces can usually be sanded and refinished locally, rather than needing a whole panel replaced.
- Many timber systems use lift and slide hardware, letting large, heavy panels glide easily and then settle onto compressed seals for a tight closure.
Light and sun in Hythe
Because Hythe sees long summer days (about 16 h 34 min) and short winter ones (about 7 h 54 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.
Typical costs for timber and alu-clad sliding doors around Hythe
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) |
|---|---|---|
| 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 |
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 Hythe
Once the opening is measured, nothing is ordered until you sign off the specification. Lead time is typically 8–10 weeks from survey sign-off. Our fitters protect floors, remove the old door, install and seal the new one and leave the area clean — usually 1 day for a two-panel swap; 1–2 days for larger doors for a door like this.
Rules for timber and alu-clad sliding doors 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.
Specification choices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hythe
- Glass. Double or triple glazed safety glass, with slim glazing bars available for a period look.
- Handles. Traditional or contemporary handles in bronze, black, satin chrome or brass-effect finishes.
- Sliding hardware. Inline rollers on smaller doors, or lift and slide gear for larger and heavier panels.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Hythe
Is the price different in Hythe?
No. Guide prices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors are the same across mainland Britain, including Hythe. The fitted price depends on size, system, glass and finish, and any structural work, all fixed in your written quote after survey.
How big can a timber sliding door be?
A timber sliding door in our range is typically about 1.5 m to 4.8 m wide overall, in two to four panels, at standard 2.1 m height or taller on request. Individual panel sizes depend on the system and glass weight; larger panels usually move to lift and slide hardware so they stay easy to open. Sizes are confirmed after 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.
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.