- Postcode district
- GU34
- 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
- Bordon, Farnham, Basingstoke
- Building rules
- England
uPVC sliding patio doors in Alton: what to know
Before you settle on a door type, it helps to know what uPVC sliding patio doors do well and what to check before you order.
Planning a door wider than about 3.6 m for your Alton home? That is beyond the uPVC range, so aluminium or a multi-track system would be the next step.
For a rental or family home in Alton, frames that never need painting keep upkeep down to an occasional wipe, which is one reason uPVC sliding patio doors suit tighter budgets.
- Multi-chambered uPVC profiles trap still air inside the frame, so the frame itself insulates well without needing a separate thermal break.
- 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.
- uPVC frames never need painting or staining; an occasional wipe with warm soapy water keeps white or foiled finishes looking clean.
Planning glass for the light in Alton
Because Alton sees long summer days (about 16 h 34 min) and short winter ones (about 7 h 53 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.
What should you budget for uPVC sliding patio doors in Alton?
Guide prices are the same across Hampshire: 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) |
|---|---|---|
| 1.8 m | 2 panels | £1,895–£2,295 |
| 2.4 m | 2 panels | £2,195–£2,695 |
| 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.
Survey, manufacture and fitting around Alton
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.
Do you need approval in Alton?
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.
Choosing the specification
- Handles. Lever or pull handles in white, black, chrome or gold-effect finishes, with a key lock on the outside.
- Foiled colours. Anthracite grey, black, cream or woodgrain foils on one or both faces, for an extra charge.
- Threshold. A standard threshold for a straight swap, or a lower threshold where the floor build-up allows.
Questions about uPVC sliding patio doors in Alton
How soon can you survey in Alton?
Surveys in the GU34 district are booked at a time that suits you, and we offer survey dates when we reply to your enquiry. After you approve the written quote, manufacture is typically 2–4 weeks from survey sign-off.
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.
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.
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.