Are triple glazed sliding doors right for homes in Somerset?
Most homeowners choosing triple glazed sliding doors want the same things: more light, a clear view and a door that is easy to live with.
Wherever you are in Somerset, ask at survey whether triple glazing will limit the panel sizes on the system you prefer for your Somerset home.
If the back of your Somerset home faces north or east and the room by the door always feels cold, triple glazing is one of the upgrades most likely to make a difference.
- 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.
- In homes heated by a heat pump or underfloor heating, which run at lower temperatures, reducing heat loss through a large door helps the system keep the room comfortable.
- The inner pane stays closer to room temperature in winter, so sitting next to a large sliding door feels less chilly and there is less cold draught falling off the glass.
Guide prices for triple glazed sliding doors in Somerset
Guide prices are the same across Somerset: the fitted price depends on the size, system and specification, not your postcode. These figures are for a standard 2.1 m high door, fitted, including VAT and removal of an old door of similar size.
| Overall width | Typical panels | Guide price (fitted, inc VAT) |
|---|---|---|
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £4,795–£5,895 |
| 3.0 m | 2 panels | £5,595–£6,795 |
| 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 Somerset
Because Somerset sees long summer days (about 16 h 35 min) and short winter ones (about 7 h 52 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.
Where we fit in Somerset
We cover Bath, Weston-super-Mare, Taunton, Yeovil, Bridgwater, Portishead and the rest of Somerset.
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 Somerset
Can you match other doors and windows in my Somerset 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.
Is triple glazing worth it on a sliding door?
Triple glazing is usually worth it where heat loss matters most: north- or east-facing doors, exposed sites, very large glass areas, low-energy homes and houses with heat pumps. It adds around 12% to a guide price. On a sheltered south-facing elevation the benefit is smaller, because double glazing lets in slightly more free winter sun.
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.
What U-value does a triple glazed sliding door achieve?
A triple glazed thermally broken aluminium sliding door typically achieves a whole-door U-value of around 0.8–1.1 W/m²K, depending on the system, the glass coatings, the gas fill and the panel sizes. A good double glazed equivalent is typically around 1.2–1.6 W/m²K. Lower numbers mean less heat lost through the door.