The average replacement front door cost in the UK for 2026 is £1,200–£1,800 fully installed, with uPVC at the lower end and composite or timber at the higher end.
The cost of a new front door is one of the first questions homeowners ask when planning an upgrade. For 2026, the average replacement front door cost in the UK is £1,200–£1,800 fully installed, according to Checkatrade and Which? 2026 surveys (Checkatrade, 2026; Which?, 2026). This figure covers the door, frame, hinges, lock, and professional fitting but excludes any structural work to resize the opening.
The average replacement front door cost in the UK for 2026 is £1,200–£1,800 fully installed. uPVC doors start at £800, composite at £1,200 and timber at £1,500, plus £200–£400 for labour.
- Average replacement front door cost is £1,200–£1,800 installed in 2026.
- uPVC doors cost £800–£1,200, composite £1,200–£1,800, timber £1,500–£2,500.
- Labour adds £200–£400 for standard like-for-like fitting.
- London and South East labour costs are 20–30% higher than elsewhere.
- A new front door can save £100–£150 yearly on energy bills.
- The average replacement front door cost in the UK for 2026 is £1,200–£1,800 fully installed, with uPVC at the lower end and composite or timber at the higher end.
- Labour and fitting costs add £200–£400 to the total, depending on your location and the complexity of the job.
- A new front door can save you up to £100–£150 per year on your energy bills by reducing heat loss through draughts and a poor U-value.
- Quick numbers a side-by-side cost and savings comparison of the three main door materials.
- A replacement front door costs £1,200–£1,800 fully installed for a standard composite door, which is the most popular choice for 2026.
- You must use an MCS-certified or FENSA-registered installer to comply with Building Regulations and to maintain your home insurance.
- The cost of a replacement front door varies by material, security grade, and glazing options, not just by the door itself.
Breaking that down by material: uPVC doors average £800–£1,200 installed; composite doors average £1,200–£1,800; and timber doors average £1,500–£2,500. Adding glazing, a cat flap, or an upgraded letterbox can add £100–£300 to the total. The cost of a replacement door is separate from any brickwork or lintel repairs needed if the opening is non-standard.
Labour and fitting costs add £200–£400 to the total, depending on your location and the complexity of the job.
Labour costs are a significant part of the overall price. FENSA-registered installer quotes and the Federation of Master Builders (FMB) 2026 price guide indicate that standard fitting of a like-for-like door in a sound opening costs £200–£300 (FENSA, 2026; FMB, 2026). If the opening needs brickwork, lintel repairs, or plaster repairs, expect £400–£600.
Location also matters. London and the South East typically add 20–30% to labour costs compared to the Midlands or North. Always ask for a fixed-price quote that itemises the door cost and the labour cost separately, so you can compare like for like between installers.
A new front door can save you up to £100–£150 per year on your energy bills by reducing heat loss through draughts and a poor U-value.
Replacing an old, draughty front door has a direct impact on your heating bills. The Energy Saving Trust (EST) 2026 data on heat loss through doors and windows shows that an old, uninsulated door can have a U-value of 3.0–5.0 W/m²K, while a modern composite or uPVC door achieves 1.4–1.8 W/m²K (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). The U-value measures how quickly heat passes through the door; lower numbers mean better insulation.
The EST estimates that replacing a single-glazed or poorly insulated front door saves around £100–£150 annually on heating bills. For a £1,500 composite door, the payback period based purely on energy savings is roughly 10–15 years. Security and aesthetic benefits are immediate but not directly measurable in cash savings.
Quick numbers a side-by-side cost and savings comparison of the three main door materials.
| Material | Cost (installed) | Typical U-value (W/m²K) | Estimated annual energy saving vs. old door | Typical lifespan |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC | £800–£1,200 | 1.6–1.8 | £100 | 20–25 years |
| Composite | £1,200–£1,800 | 1.4–1.6 | £120 | 25–30 years |
| Timber | £1,500–£2,500 | 1.4–1.8 | £110 | 30–40 years (with maintenance) |
U-values in this table come from British Fenestration Rating Council (BFRC) and manufacturer data sheets (BFRC, 2026). Lifespan estimates are based on Glass and Glazing Federation (GGF) 2026 guidance (GGF, 2026). Note that timber doors require periodic painting or staining to maintain their lifespan.
A replacement front door costs £1,200–£1,800 fully installed for a standard composite door, which is the most popular choice for 2026.
This is the direct, plain-English answer to the search query “replacement front door cost”. Composite doors offer the best balance of security, insulation, and low maintenance for the price. The cost includes the door, frame, lock, hinges, and professional fitting by a certified installer.
For a uPVC door, the cost is lower at £800–£1,200; for a timber door, it is higher at £1,500–£2,500. Always get at least three quotes from different installers to compare prices and ensure you are paying a fair market rate. how to compare door installation quotes
You must use an MCS-certified or FENSA-registered installer to comply with Building Regulations and to maintain your home insurance.
Building Regulations Part L (conservation of fuel and power) 2026 update requires that replacement doors meet minimum thermal performance standards (GOV.UK, 2026). FENSA (Fenestration Self-Assessment Scheme) registers installers who can self-certify that replacement doors meet these regulations. Using a FENSA-registered installer is the simplest route.
MCS (Microgeneration Certification Scheme) is not directly relevant for doors but is sometimes confused; for doors, FENSA or a local authority building control application is required. Using an unregistered installer means you must submit a building notice to your local council, which adds time and cost. Check an installer’s FENSA registration on the FENSA website before hiring.
The cost of a replacement front door varies by material, security grade, and glazing options, not just by the door itself.
According to Which? 2026 door buying guide and manufacturer price lists, several add-ons can push the price up (Which?, 2026). Security: a door with PAS 24 or Secured by Design certification costs £100–£200 more than a standard door. Glazing: double glazing is standard; triple glazing adds £150–£300. Decorative glass (leaded, frosted) adds £100–£250.
Hardware upgrades such as a multi-point locking system, a smart lock, or a high-end handle set add £50–£200. Colour and finish also matter: white uPVC is cheapest; woodgrain or anthracite grey uPVC costs £50–£150 more. A timber door with a factory finish costs more than a barewood door. front door security standards explained
Frequently Asked Questions
The average replacement front door cost in the UK for 2026 is £1,200–£1,800 fully installed, according to Checkatrade and Which? 2026 surveys. This includes the door, frame, hinges, lock and professional fitting.
Yes, composite doors cost £1,200–£1,800 installed but offer better insulation and durability than uPVC. The Energy Saving Trust confirms they can reduce heat loss and save up to £150 per year on heating bills.
Labour for a standard like-for-like front door fitting costs £200–£300, according to FENSA and the FMB 2026 price guide. If brickwork or lintel repairs are needed, expect £400–£600 total.
Yes, a new front door typically adds value by improving kerb appeal and energy efficiency. The average replacement front door cost of £1,200–£1,800 can be recouped through higher resale value and energy savings.
uPVC is the cheapest front door material, costing £800–£1,200 installed in 2026. It offers good insulation and durability, though composite and timber doors are more expensive but longer-lasting.
