What types of uPVC patio doors are there & how much do they cost?
Homeowners looking to install patio doors are spoilt for choice in terms of overall style, size and price because there are virtually countless options.
What you can expect to find in this article is guidance on:
- Good reasons to use uPVC.
- Patio door design types.
- Price guides to how much each type of patio door costs.
Basic design types
These “picture” doors can broadly be classified into three different design categories dependent on appearance and function.
- Sliding patio doors (inline)
- Bifold patio doors (bi-fold / multi-fold)
- French patio doors (French windows)
You can fit patio doors that are made from either UPVC, wood or aluminium, but this article will focus on the very popular upvc patio door versions in order to best describe their function, cost and features.
Each of the designs above offer very different functionality, the most obvious of which is how they open & close. Some are better suited to a particular situation than others and has its own pros and cons.
In terms of cost, each design style will have a different price structure, but the final cost of your door will be driven primarily by size.
Why choose a UPVC Patio door?
There are numerous reasons to opt for upvc as the primary frame construction material:
Energy efficiency
1 uPVC does not conduct heat or cold very well which makes it a great natural insulator. When you combine this natural resistance with modern engineering in the form of multi-chambered weather-proof door frames, you get a very energy efficient door frame.
Life-span
2 It’s proven that good quality uPVC door frames last a very long time indeed. It’s not prone to over-react to air pollution, shrinkage or expansion and is therefore very stable. Colours are bonded into the surface and so don’t peel or crack. All they need is to be kept clean.
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Appearance
3 If you choose white uPVC, these days it stays white. As an alternative there are many other colours on offer such as Irish Oak. The surface of the frames can be glossy smooth or be embossed with a timber effect that is virtually indistinguishable from the “real thing”
Security
4The frames themselves can feature galvanised steel reinforcing which gives the door unit great strength. Corner joints are welded and the glazing benefits from internal window beading. Sliding doors have anti-lift tracks and most designs feature multiple point locking.
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Patio door design types.
French Patio Doors
A matched pair of swinging doors set side by side into a single frame. The doors open from the centre of the frame. Two main design features are to have the door full length glass or to have many small panes separated by “Georgian bars”.
More often found in smaller openings, but can have the width extended by the use of side panels, and the height extended via the use of top panels.
A lot of French doors are fitted to open outwards, but can also be fitted to open inwards if you prefer. Both can be opened together or one at a time, you can choose which is the lead door. Left or right handed (the one that opens first).
How Much do French Patio Doors Cost?
| Door size in millimeters | Basic Specification | Average Fitted Price Guide |
|---|---|---|
| 2 doors 900 x 2100 | white, upvc double glazed – C rated | £800 to £900 |
| 2 doors 1000 x 2100 | white, upvc double glazed – C rated | £1,000 to £1,200 |
| 2 doors 1200 x 2100 | rosewood, upvc double glazed – B rated | £1,200 to £1,400 |
Sliding Patio Doors
As you can guess from their name, sliding patio doors do not swing in or out, they move left to right on tracks set within the door frame.
Two panel sliding door sets can often have one fixed in place with one moving, but you can install them to both move and overlap. However, for a 2 panel set installation, you will only have a 50% clearance when they are opened because the doors only move within the frame.
No real problems using this design in a wider opening, just add more panels to suit the size available. As the doors don’t have hinges to fix them into place, anti-lifting tracks should always be fitted to stop them being levered out of place by an intruder.
How Much do Sliding Patio Doors Cost?
| Door Style | Approximate size (mm) | Average Fitted Price Guide |
| White UPVC x 2 section | 2200 x 2200 | £700 to £900 |
| Wood effect UPVC x 2 section | 2200 x 2200 | £1,000 to £1,350 |
| White UPVC x 3 section | 3000 x 2200 | £1,100 to £1,300 |
| White UPVC x 4 section | 3500 x 2200 | £1,200 to £1,500 |
Bifold Patio Doors
This particular design allows for the door panels to be slid to the left or right within the frame to fold or “stack” together at the sides when opened.
The big advantage of a bifold installation is that, when the panels are slid to the sides, it leaves the opening with totally unobstructed view.
The panels can run on floor level tracks (bottom hung) or be suspended from an overhead track with the bottom track just as a guide (top hung). For top hung sets, the overhead lintel should be strong enough to take the weight.
How much do Bifold Patio Doors Cost?
| 3 panel bifold size (mm) | Basic Specification | Price Guide (inc VAT) supply only |
|---|---|---|
| 2700 x 2100 | white uPVC/ double glazed | £1,200 to £1,400 |
| 2700 x 2100 | 2 colour white & oak uPVC/ double glazed | £1,500 to £1,700 |
| 2700 x 2100 | 1 color Grey uPVC / double glazed | £1,700 to £1,950 |
You can find more information here in our bifold doors article.
In Summary
With the very different functionality and appearances of patio doors, combined with the positives of using uPVC, you can easily find a design that not only complements your home but also does not “break the bank”.
Many people take the same opportunity to upgrade all their windows and doors at the same time, so why not go to the Doubleglazingpriceguide.co.uk homepage and take a look for yourself.
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