- Postcode district
- RH4
- 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
- Reigate, Redhill, Cobham
- Building rules
- England
Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for your Dorking home?
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.
Where the back of a Dorking 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.
For a listed building or a house in a conservation area in Dorking, check with the local planning authority before choosing any new door; timber frames are often closer in character to the original joinery.
- 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.
- 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.
Planning glass for the light in Dorking
At the latitude of Dorking, the midday sun climbs to about 62° in late June but only about 15° in late December, when daylight lasts around 7 h 52 min against 16 h 35 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.
Typical costs for timber and alu-clad sliding doors around Dorking
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 |
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £5,995–£7,395 |
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £7,495–£9,095 |
See every size on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page or try the guide price tool.
What happens when you order timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Dorking?
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
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.
Specification choices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Dorking
- Interior finish. Clear lacquer, a wood stain or a painted colour, chosen to match floors, beams or kitchen units.
- Handles. Traditional or contemporary handles in bronze, black, satin chrome or brass-effect finishes.
- Timber species. Oak or another hardwood for a visible grain, or engineered softwood where a painted finish is planned.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Dorking
Can you match other doors and windows in my Dorking 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.
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.
Can I fit timber sliding doors to a listed building or in a conservation area?
Timber sliding doors can suit listed buildings and conservation areas, but listed buildings and properties under an Article 4 direction may need consent before any door is changed, so check with your local planning authority first. In England, replacing doors on an ordinary house with similar-looking ones is usually permitted development. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own planning rules.