The average fitted front door cost in 2026 is £1,200 to £2,800, but the final price depends on material and glazing
The most common question from UK homeowners is how much a new front door costs fitted. The typical installed price for a standard-sized composite front door, the most popular choice, ranges from £1,200 to £1,800 (Checkatrade 2026 Price Guide). A uPVC front door fitted is generally cheaper, at £800 to £1,500.
A timber front door fitted starts around £1,500 and can exceed £3,500 for hardwood with decorative glazing (Federation of Master Builders 2026 Cost Survey). These figures are for a single door, standard 1980mm x 838mm (6ft6 x 2ft9) opening, and include the frame, lock, hinges, and fitting labour.
The material you choose is the biggest cost driver, not the door size
Your choice of material determines most of the final price. uPVC is the lowest cost option, typically £800 to £1,500 fitted. It requires little maintenance and offers U-values around 1.4 W/m²K. A U-value measures how well a door prevents heat from escaping; lower numbers mean better insulation.
Composite doors are the most popular choice, costing £1,200 to £2,800 fitted. They provide better thermal performance, with U-values around 1.2 W/m²K, and improved security (Energy Saving Trust 2026 Door Materials Factsheet). Timber (hardwood) is the premium option, ranging from £1,500 to £4,000 or more fitted. It can achieve the lowest U-values, as low as 1.0 W/m²K, but requires regular painting or staining.
Steel doors are a niche choice, costing £1,800 to £3,000 fitted. They offer high security but can dent and may have poor thermal performance unless the door is thermally broken (Which? 2026 Door Review).
Double glazing vs solid door the cost difference is £300–£600
Adding glazing to your front door increases the price. A fully-glazed composite door, with a half or full panel of glass, adds £300 to £600 to the fitted price compared to a solid composite door. Double-glazed units in doors are typically 24mm or 28mm sealed units, consisting of 4mm glass, a 16mm or 20mm argon gas gap, and another 4mm glass pane.
Triple glazing is rare in front doors and adds a further £200 to £400. All new front doors must meet Building Regulations Part L1A in England and Wales. This requires a U-value of 1.6 W/m²K or lower for the whole door (DESNZ 2026 Building Regulations Approved Document L). The Glass and Glazing Federation provides a 2026 Price Index for glazed units (GGF 2026 Price Index).
Quick numbers fitted front door cost by material (2026 table)
| Material type | Typical fitted price range (inc. VAT) | Typical U-value (W/m²K) | Warranty length (years) |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC (solid) | £800 – £1,200 | 1.4 | 10 |
| uPVC (glazed) | £1,000 – £1,500 | 1.4 | 10 |
| Composite (solid) | £1,200 – £1,800 | 1.2 | 10–15 |
| Composite (glazed) | £1,500 – £2,800 | 1.2 | 10–15 |
| Timber hardwood (solid) | £1,500 – £2,500 | 1.0–1.4 | 5–10 |
| Timber hardwood (glazed) | £2,000 – £4,000+ | 1.0–1.4 | 5–10 |
Sources: Checkatrade 2026 Price Guide; Energy Saving Trust 2026 Door Factsheet; GGF 2026 Warranty Data.
The fitted front door cost for a standard 1980mm x 838mm opening is the benchmark, but non-standard sizes add 20–50%
The prices above assume a standard opening of 1980mm high by 838mm wide. Any door wider than 1000mm or higher than 2200mm is classed as non-standard and requires a bespoke frame. This adds 20 to 50 per cent to the material cost (FMB 2026 Cost Survey).
If you need to open a new doorway, for example bricking up an old door and cutting a new opening, this costs £1,500 to £3,000 extra. That work is not included in the fitted door price (Checkatrade 2026 Door Installation Guide).
You must use an MCS-certified or TrustMark-registered installer for any grant-funded door replacement
If you are using a government grant to part-fund your door replacement, the installer must be registered with specific schemes. The Great British Insulation Scheme closed on 31 March 2026. It funded insulation measures only and never covered windows or glazing. The installer must be TrustMark registered and MCS certified for the work (GOV.UK Great British Insulation Scheme Guidance 2026).
For standard installations without grant funding, MCS certification is not required. However, TrustMark registration is strongly recommended for consumer protection (DESNZ ECO4 Scheme Rules 2026).
The direct answer to “front door cost fitted” in 2026 expect £1,200–£2,800 for a composite door installed
For the most common query, the typical homeowner pays around £1,500 for a standard composite door with a single glazed panel, fitted by a TrustMark-registered installer. This price includes the door, frame, multi-point locking system, hinges, letterplate, and fitting labour (Checkatrade 2026 Price Guide). How to choose between uPVC and composite doors
The £1,200 to £2,800 range covers most standard composite installations, with the higher end reflecting full glazing or decorative panels.
How to verify your fitted front door cost is fair get three quotes and check the door’s U-value
Always request a written quote that itemises the door, frame, glazing, lock, fitting, and VAT. Compare at least three quotes from different installers. Check the door’s U-value: a new door should achieve 1.6 W/m²K or lower. Ask the installer for the manufacturer’s test certificate to confirm this (Energy Saving Trust 2026 Door Buying Guide).
Verify the installer is registered with TrustMark and, if you are using a grant, that they hold MCS certification. How to check if your installer is TrustMark registered The TrustMark 2026 Consumer Code provides additional protection if something goes wrong (TrustMark 2026 Consumer Code).
