We supply and fit double glazing doors in Clerkenwell for front entrances, back doors and wide openings onto the garden. This page is for homeowners who want a door that locks well, keeps the heat in and looks right on their house. You will find the main door types we fit, the materials and glass on offer, what drives the cost and how to pick the right door for each part of your home.
Our door fitters are part of the same team that installs our double glazing across Clerkenwell. We are FENSA registered, and every door comes with a 10-year guarantee. When you are ready, ask for a free quote and we will come out to measure.
Door Types We Fit
Each door below has its own page with more detail, photos and options. Here is a short guide to help you choose.
Composite Doors
Composite doors are the most popular front door we fit. They have a solid timber or foam core inside a tough GRP skin, so they look like painted wood but need no painting. They are thick, strong and warm. You can choose from dozens of colours, glass designs, knockers, letter plates and handles. Most come with security tested locks as standard.
Aluminium Doors
Aluminium doors give a sleek, modern look with slim frames and clean lines. The metal is strong, so it can hold large panes and wide sashes. Thermally broken frames keep heat in, and a powder coat finish comes in almost any colour. Aluminium suits front doors on new and modern homes, as well as side and rear entrances.
Back Doors
Back doors take a lot of daily use, from taking out the bins to letting the dog into the garden. We fit back doors in uPVC, composite and aluminium, with half glass, full glass or solid panels. You can add a cat flap, obscure glass for privacy or a low threshold for easy access.
French Doors
French doors are a pair of doors that both open outwards or inwards, giving a wide, open link to the patio. They suit dining rooms, living rooms and conservatories. You can add side panels to make the opening wider and let in more light. They are a good choice where you want a classic look and do not have room for a large sliding door.
Bifold Doors
Bifold doors fold back like a concertina, so you can open almost a whole wall to the garden. They are made from slim aluminium or uPVC panels, with a traffic door for everyday use. Bifolds suit kitchen extensions, garden rooms and open plan living spaces where you want the inside and outside to feel like one.
See also our guide to porches.
Materials and Glass
A good door is a mix of the right frame, the right glass and the right locks. Here is how the main options compare.
Frame Materials
- uPVC: good value, warm and easy to clean. It suits back doors and French doors on a budget.
- Composite: thick, solid and strong. It is the best all round choice for front doors.
- Aluminium: slim, rigid and long lasting. It is the top pick for bifolds and modern front doors.
- Timber: a natural choice for period homes. It needs paint or stain every few years.
Glass Options
- Low-E double glazing: a thin coat on the glass and argon gas in the gap keep heat inside.
- Toughened safety glass: a legal must in doors. It breaks into small, blunt pieces.
- Laminated glass: stays in the frame when struck, which helps with security.
- Obscure and decorative glass: lets light in while keeping your hall or bathroom private.
Colours, Styles and Hardware
A door is one of the first things people see, so it is worth taking time over the look. We help you match the door to the age, style and colour of your home.
- Colours: choose from classic black, blue, red and green, soft greys and creams, or wood grain effects. Many doors can have one colour outside and white inside.
- Panel styles: pick from flat modern slabs, raised panels for a Victorian look or cottage styles with a small glass top.
- Glass designs: clear, frosted, leaded, bevelled or etched glass, in the door or in side panels and top lights.
- Handles and knockers: chrome, gold, black and satin finishes, with matching letter plates, numbers and spy holes.
- Thresholds: a low threshold makes life easier for buggies, bikes and wheelchairs.
For homes in a conservation area, we can suggest designs and colours that fit in with the street. We bring colour charts and hardware samples to every survey, so you can see them in daylight against your own brick or render.
Security and Locks
Your front and back doors are the first line of defence for your home. We fit doors with locks and hardware that make life hard for burglars.
- Multi point locks: hooks and bolts lock into the frame at several points down the door.
- Anti snap cylinders: stop the most common way of breaking a lock.
- Strong hinges: with hinge bolts or dog bolts so the door cannot be lifted off.
- Secured by Design options: doors tested to police backed standards.
- Laminated glass: holds together if someone tries to break it.
We can also fit door chains, spy holes, smart locks and video doorbells at the same time.
Building Regulations and Rules
Replacing a door that has glass in it, or any external door, must meet Building Regulations. As a FENSA registered installer, we can sign off the work ourselves. You will get a certificate once the job is done, which you will need when you sell the house.
- Part L: sets limits on heat loss. A new external door must meet a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better.
- Part K: glass in doors must be safety glass.
- Part M: on new builds, there are rules for level thresholds and door widths.
- Part B: some doors need to be fire doors or meet escape rules, mainly in flats.
In most homes you will not need planning permission to replace a door. If you live in a flat, a listed building or a conservation area, extra rules may apply. We check this at the survey.
What Drives the Cost of a New Door
We do not show fixed prices, as each door is made to measure for your home. Every job gets a written, fixed quote after a free survey. These are the main things that affect the price:
- Door type: a single back door costs less than a set of French doors or a wide bifold.
- Size: wider and taller openings need more frame, glass and hardware.
- Material: uPVC is the most affordable, then composite, then aluminium.
- Colour: a different colour on each side, or a custom shade, adds to the cost.
- Glass: decorative, laminated or triple glazed units cost more than plain glass.
- Hardware: premium handles, smart locks and extra security cost more.
- Making good: new sills, plaster or brick repairs after the old door is out.
Payment stages are set out in the written quote, so there are no surprises.
How We Fit Your Door
We follow the same steps on every job: a survey, a written quote, a door made to measure, a clean fit and a check with you before we leave. Most single doors take less than a day to fit. Our how we work page sets out each stage in full.
On the day, we lay down dust sheets, take out the old door with care and fit the new frame square and level. We seal the frame, fit the trims and test the lock and handle with you. Then we clear up, take the old door away and show you how to use and care for your new one.
Choosing the Right Door
Start with where the door is and how you use it.
- Front door: a composite door gives the best mix of looks, warmth and strength. Choose aluminium for a modern home.
- Back or side door: a uPVC or composite back door is tough and good value.
- Patio, small opening: French doors give a wide view without taking up wall space.
- Patio, large opening: bifold doors open the whole room to the garden.
Then think about the look of the house. Match the style and colour to your windows, and pick glass and hardware that suit the age of the home. We bring samples to the survey so you can see and feel the options before you decide.
Keep up with simple care and your door will last for years. Wipe the frame with warm soapy water, keep the threshold clean and oil the lock and hinges once or twice a year.
More door options we fit in Clerkenwell:
Frequently Asked Questions
How long do double glazed doors last?
A good quality door that is well fitted should last for decades. Composite and aluminium doors last the longest, as they do not rot, warp or need painting. uPVC doors also last well with basic care. The sealed glass units and moving parts, such as hinges and locks, may need attention over time. Our doors come with a 10-year guarantee for peace of mind.
Can a new door cut outside noise?
Yes. A new door with good seals and double glazed glass will cut a lot of noise compared with an old, loose fitting door. Most noise gets in through gaps, so a snug fit and new gaskets help the most. For homes on busy roads, a solid composite door or acoustic laminated glass will give the best result. We can advise on the day.
Do you need planning permission to replace a front door?
In most houses, no. Replacing a front door is usually permitted development, as long as it looks broadly similar. You may need consent if you live in a listed building, a flat or a conservation area with extra controls. The new door must still meet Building Regulations, and we provide the FENSA certificate to prove it.
How often should door seals be checked?
Check the seals once a year, ideally before winter. Look for gaps, cracks or seals that have come loose. Wipe them with warm water and, if they feel dry, add a little silicone spray. If you feel a draught, see light round the edge or the door is hard to lock, call us. Most seals and locks can be adjusted or replaced in a short visit.
Can old door frames be reused with a new door?
Now and then, but we do not often advise it. A new door is made to fit its own frame, with seals and locks lined up to work together. An old frame may be out of square, rotten or too thin for a modern door. Replacing both gives a better seal, better security and a door that meets current Building Regulations.
