Are timber and alu-clad sliding doors right for homes in Tyne and Wear?
Most homeowners choosing timber and alu-clad sliding doors want the same things: more light, a clear view and a door that is easy to live with.
For a listed building or a house in a conservation area in Tyne and Wear, check with the local planning authority before choosing any new door; timber frames are often closer in character to the original joinery.
Where the back of a Tyne and Wear 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.
- Wood is a natural insulator, so timber frames feel warm to the touch in winter and help keep condensation off the inside face of the frame.
- 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.
- 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.
Guide prices for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Tyne and Wear
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 |
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £7,495–£9,095 |
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £8,395–£10,295 |
| 4.8 m | 4 panels | £10,395–£12,595 |
Every size is on the timber and alu-clad sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Tyne and Wear
In Tyne and Wear the shortest day has roughly 7 h 10 min of daylight and the longest about 17 h 22 min. The noon sun sits near 12° above the horizon in winter and 58° in summer — so glass that faces south collects useful warmth from October to March, while a west-facing door may need solar control to stop it overheating in July.
Towns we cover in Tyne and Wear
We survey and fit timber and alu-clad sliding doors in 10 towns across Tyne and Wear, including the DH5, NE1, NE15, NE26, NE28, NE30 postcode districts.
Approvals 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.
Questions about timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Tyne and Wear
Do I need building approval for timber and alu-clad sliding doors in Tyne and Wear?
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.
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.
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.