- Postcode district
- EX1
- Survey
- Free for new and replacement doors
- Typical lead time
- Typically 2–4 weeks from survey sign-off
- Guide price
- From £1,695 inc VAT
- Nearby
- Crediton, Exmouth, Tiverton
- Building rules
- England
Is a uPVC sliding patio door a good fit for your home in Exeter?
A few practical points decide whether uPVC sliding patio doors suit a particular room and opening:
For a rental or family home in Exeter, frames that never need painting keep upkeep down to an occasional wipe, which is one reason uPVC sliding patio doors suit tighter budgets.
Where a patio door in Exeter opens onto a conservatory or narrow side return, a sliding panel avoids the clash a hinged door can have with furniture or a gate.
- Shoot-bolt or hook locking on the sliding panel, plus anti-lift devices, help stop the panel being lifted or levered out of the frame from outside.
- A two-panel uPVC slider usually fits the same opening as an old patio door, so a straight swap avoids building work and typically takes a day.
- Woodgrain and colour foils, including anthracite grey and black, let a uPVC door match existing windows instead of appearing as a white frame on a coloured elevation.
How much sun will a door in Exeter get?
At the latitude of Exeter, the midday sun climbs to about 63° in late June but only about 16° in late December, when daylight lasts around 7 h 57 min against 16 h 30 min in midsummer. A south-facing uPVC sliding patio door lets that low winter sun deep into the room; on a west or south elevation, solar-control glass keeps summer afternoons comfortable.
Guide prices for uPVC sliding patio doors in Exeter
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 | £1,695–£2,095 |
| 1.8 m | 2 panels | £1,895–£2,295 |
| 3.6 m | 3 panels | £2,895–£3,495 |
See every size on the uPVC sliding patio doors page or try the guide price tool.
Timescales for uPVC sliding patio doors in Exeter
Once the opening is measured, nothing is ordered until you sign off the specification. Lead time is typically 2–4 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 straight swap in an existing opening for a door like this.
Rules for uPVC sliding patio 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 uPVC sliding patio doors in Exeter
- Trims and cills. A matching uPVC cill, add-on trims and internal finishing so the new door sits neatly against existing plaster and brick.
- Threshold. A standard threshold for a straight swap, or a lower threshold where the floor build-up allows.
- Panel layout. Choose which side slides, or a three-panel layout for openings beyond about 3 m.
Questions about uPVC sliding patio doors in Exeter
Is the price different in Exeter?
No. Guide prices for uPVC sliding patio doors are the same across mainland Britain, including Exeter. The fitted price depends on size, system, glass and finish, and any structural work, all fixed in your written quote after survey.
Should I choose uPVC or aluminium for a sliding door?
Choose uPVC if budget and a quick, simple replacement matter most, and aluminium if you want slimmer frames, bigger panels or a powder-coated colour. uPVC insulates well and costs less, but its frames are wider and its panels smaller. Aluminium suits openings over about 3.6 m and modern extensions. Our aluminium vs uPVC guide sets out the differences.
Do I need permission to replace a patio door with a uPVC slider?
In England, replacing a patio door on a house is usually permitted development if the new door looks similar, though flats, listed buildings and Article 4 areas may need consent. The work must be done by a competent person scheme installer or notified to Building Control, and the glass must be safety glazing. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own planning and building rules.
How do I maintain a uPVC sliding door?
A uPVC sliding door needs only light maintenance: wipe the frames with warm soapy water, avoid abrasive cleaners that dull the surface, and vacuum the track so grit does not wear the rollers. Lubricate the lock keeps and handle mechanism once a year. If the panel drags, the rollers can usually be adjusted rather than replaced. Check the drainage slots in the outer frame after autumn leaf fall, as blocked slots let water sit in the track.