Are triple glazed sliding doors right for homes in Hampshire?
Here is what to weigh up if you are considering triple glazed sliding doors for a home in Hampshire:
Wherever you are in Hampshire, ask at survey whether triple glazing will limit the panel sizes on the system you prefer for your Hampshire home.
For a self-build or low-energy home in Hampshire designed around a heat pump, it is worth asking your designer early whether the heat loss calculations assume triple glazing.
- Triple glazed doors typically come in well under the 1.4 W/m²K limit that Approved Document L sets in England for a new or replacement door in an existing home with more than 60% glazing.
- Three panes and two cavities generally reduce outside noise more than standard double glazing, which can make a noticeable difference next to a road or railway.
- Laminated safety glass can be used as the inner or outer pane of a triple glazed unit, adding security and sound reduction without changing the look of the door.
Guide prices for triple glazed sliding doors in Hampshire
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 | £3,695–£4,595 |
| 2.1 m | 2 panels | £4,495–£5,495 |
| 4.8 m | 4 panels | £7,795–£9,495 |
| 6.0 m | 4 panels | £9,295–£11,295 |
Every size is on the triple glazed sliding doors page.
Daylight and glass in Hampshire
In Hampshire the shortest day has roughly 7 h 54 min of daylight and the longest about 16 h 33 min. The noon sun sits near 16° above the horizon in winter and 62° 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.
Where we fit in Hampshire
We cover Southampton, Portsmouth, Basingstoke, Gosport, Waterlooville, Farnborough and the rest of Hampshire.
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 triple glazed sliding doors in Hampshire
Do I need building approval for triple glazed sliding doors in Hampshire?
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.
Can I upgrade my existing sliding door to triple glazing?
Usually not by swapping the glass alone, because a triple glazed unit is thicker and heavier than the frame and rollers of a double glazed door were designed for. In most cases moving to triple glazing means replacing the whole door with a system built to take it, which we can survey and quote for.
Does triple glazing let in less light?
Triple glazing lets in slightly less light than double glazing because the extra pane absorbs and reflects a little more, and the coatings used to reduce heat loss add a faint tint. Most people find the difference hard to see day to day. A low-iron outer pane can make the glass look clearer if that matters to you.
How much heavier is triple glazing?
A triple glazed unit is typically a third to a half heavier than a double glazed unit of the same size, because of the extra pane of glass. On a large sliding panel that can add a significant amount of weight, which is why the frame, track and rollers must be designed and rated for it. Some systems reduce the maximum panel size.