- Postcode district
- BA5
- 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
- Shepton Mallet, Glastonbury, Street
- Building rules
- England
Is a timber and alu-clad sliding door a good fit for your home in Wells?
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.
Oak floors, exposed beams or a timber kitchen in your Wells home? Matching the inside finish of the door ties the new glazing into the room.
Whether you live in Wells or elsewhere in Somerset, an exposed coastal or hilltop elevation makes a strong case for alu-clad rather than all-timber outside.
- 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.
- 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.
- Scratches and dents on internal timber faces can usually be sanded and refinished locally, rather than needing a whole panel replaced.
Daylight in Wells and what it means for your glass
Daylight in Wells runs from about 7 h 52 min in December to 16 h 35 min in June, with the noon sun at roughly 15° and 62° respectively. Use that to choose your glass: standard low-E double glazing for north and east elevations, and consider solar-control or triple glazing for sunny south and west walls.
How much do timber and alu-clad sliding doors cost in Wells?
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 Wells home has been measured.
| 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.
From survey to fitted door in Wells
Surveys in the BA5 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 Wells?
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.
Finishes and extras for timber and alu-clad sliding doors
- Interior finish. Clear lacquer, a wood stain or a painted colour, chosen to match floors, beams or kitchen units.
- Timber species. Oak or another hardwood for a visible grain, or engineered softwood where a painted finish is planned.
- 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 Wells
Do I need building approval for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Wells?
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 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.
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.