Replacing patio doors is usually a straightforward project when the opening stays the same size: choose a material and sliding mechanism, confirm the opening is sound, and book a registered installer or order supply-only if you have your own fitter. A like-for-like swap is typically a one-day job, and most of the cost and the decisions come down to size, panel count, material and glazing. This guide covers the types of sliding patio door, what a replacement costs in the UK, the rules that apply, and how to get a good result.
TL;DR
- Sliding patio doors come mainly as in-line or lift-and-slide systems, in two to eight or more panels, and in uPVC, aluminium or timber.
- A UK supplied-and-fitted replacement is commonly quoted at £1,200 to £6,500, with about £2,200 a typical figure. Widening the opening adds to that.
- Like-for-like replacement generally avoids planning permission, but flats, conservation areas and listed buildings can have extra rules, and the new doors must meet energy-efficiency standards.
- Value Doors supplies aluminium sliding patio doors supply-only (delivery in 10 working days) or fully fitted (3 to 4 weeks).
Table of Contents
- What replacing patio doors involves
- Sliding patio door types and how they differ
- Choosing a material
- What patio door replacement costs in the UK
- Do you need permission to replace patio doors?
- Check the opening before you order
- How long does it take?
- Security, energy efficiency and fit: what to look for
- Our perspective on replacing patio doors
- Order your replacement patio doors
- FAQ
- Sources
What replacing patio doors involves
A replacement removes the existing frame and sliding or hinged panels, checks the opening, and fits a new frame, glazing, track and locking hardware. When the opening is unchanged, the work is mostly about accuracy: the frame has to sit level, square and plumb so the panels glide without binding and the seals compress evenly.
Sliding sets are heavy, and the levelling, alignment and weather sealing leave little room for error. That is why one UK cost guide describes patio door replacement as a difficult DIY job and says a like-for-like replacement is usually a one-day job for a professional team. Most homeowners therefore choose between two routes:
- Fully fitted. The supplier measures, orders and installs. One point of contact, and the installer deals with the building-regulations paperwork.
- Supply only. You buy the door made to your measurements and use your own installer or builder. This suits contractors, property managers and homeowners who already have a trusted fitter.
Sliding patio door types and how they differ
The first choice is the mechanism, because it affects how the door feels every day. Homebuilding’s guide to sliding patio doors sets out the two main systems.
In-line sliding doors
In-line systems have slim sightlines, so more of the opening is glass, and they are generally easier to operate. The panels slide along the track in the same plane. The point to know is that they lock only when fully closed, so a good multipoint lock matters.
Lift-and-slide doors
Lift-and-slide panels are raised on the handle to move, then lowered to anchor in place. They can be anchored at points along the track, and can use flat-topped tracks that reduce the risk of tripping and of debris collecting. They suit very large, heavy panels.
Panels, tracks and layouts
Sliding doors range from one panel to eight or more, with double or triple tracks. Panels can slide apart from the centre, slide away from a corner, or disappear into a wall pocket. Fewer panels mean fewer vertical interruptions in the view of the garden.
A simple way to choose:
| Opening | Common layout | Why it works |
|---|---|---|
| Standard rear wall, about 1.8 to 2.4 m | Two panels, one fixed and one sliding | Straightforward, usually the lowest cost |
| Wider opening | Three or four panels on a double track | More glass and more access points |
| Corner or large extension | Multi-panel or corner-opening layout | Opens up the room onto the garden |
One further alternative is the bifold door, where panels concertina to one side. It opens more of the width than a slider but has more frames across the view. If a bifold is on your list, compare it with a slider on how much opening you really use.
Choosing a material
Patio doors are available in uPVC, aluminium and timber. Each has a character:
- uPVC is the most budget-friendly and low on maintenance, but frames are chunkier.
- Aluminium allows slim frames and large glass panels, is strong, and comes in a wide choice of colours. It is the common choice for modern sliders.
- Timber has a traditional look but needs regular repainting or staining.
Colour matters as much as material. Black or anthracite grey frames give a crisp, contemporary look against brick or render, while white blends with existing uPVC windows. Check that the colour is applied to both faces or choose a different colour inside and out if you want to match your décor.
What patio door replacement costs in the UK
Costs depend on size, material and how much work the opening needs. Costwise’s July 2026 UK guide gives these supplied-and-fitted figures, including VAT:
| Type | Typical supplied and fitted |
|---|---|
| uPVC sliding doors | £1,200 to £2,500 |
| Aluminium sliding doors | £2,500 to £4,500 |
| Large or premium aluminium | £4,500 to £6,500 |
The overall range is £1,200 to £6,500, with about £2,200 as the typical figure. The same guide says width, number of panes, material, glazing, finish, hardware and site access all move the price, and that structural widening, lintel work and making good can add roughly £800 to £2,500.
For reference, Value Doors lists aluminium sliding patio doors at £1,077 to £2,754, and aluminium bifold doors at £1,756 to £3,072. These are the published prices for the doors; fitting is quoted separately for the fully fitted option.
Where costs can climb
- A wider opening. Replacing a narrow set of French doors with a four-panel slider means a new lintel and brickwork repair.
- Upper floors and difficult access. Carrying heavy glazed panels through a house or up steps takes more people and time.
- Finishes and hardware. Dual-colour frames, upgraded handles and extra locking points add to the quote.
- Making good. Plastering, decorating and external brickwork repairs are often not included in a basic fitting price.
Do you need permission to replace patio doors?
This varies by building and by nation, so check your own situation before ordering.
Planning permission
A like-for-like replacement of windows and doors generally does not need planning permission. Flats are different. Brighton & Hove City Council states that flats may need permission where a door changes size, material, appearance or location, or where a window becomes a patio or French door. Listed buildings need listed-building consent, and a freeholder’s consent may be needed as well. Conservation areas can also restrict changes, so ask your local council’s planning team if you live in one.
Building regulations in England and Wales
New doors must meet energy-efficiency rules. FENSA’s guide to compliance says replacement doors can show compliance with a whole-door U-value no worse than 1.4 W/m²K, or a Doorset Energy Rating of band C if the door is more than 60% glazed and band B otherwise. In simple terms, a lower U-value means less heat escapes. Ask your supplier for the figure for the exact door you are buying.
A registered installer, such as one registered with a competent person scheme, can self-certify compliance and issue a certificate. If you fit the doors yourself or use an unregistered fitter, you may need to apply to local authority building control. Confirm this with your council before work begins.
Scotland
Rules differ north of the border. Scottish Borders Council’s guidance says that where an opening is not altered, a building warrant is not required for replacement windows or doors, although the work must still meet building standards. Changing the width, cills or lintels, or forming a new opening, does need a warrant.
Check the opening before you order
A good installation starts with what is already in the wall. Before the old doors come out, inspect the lintel above, the surrounding brickwork, the jambs at the sides and the sill below. Look for cracks, sagging, damp, rot or loose masonry. A cracked or sagging lintel should be assessed by a structural engineer, and any damp or rot should be investigated and repaired before new frames go in, otherwise the problem will spread behind a brand new door.
Then measure carefully. Measure the width and height of the opening at several points, since walls are rarely perfectly square, and note the smallest figure. A professional survey takes this out of your hands. If you are ordering supply only, give your fitter the chance to confirm measurements before you place the order.
How long does it take?
There are two clocks: lead time and fitting day.
- Lead time. Doors are made to measure, so allow for manufacture and delivery. Value Doors quotes 10 working days for supply only and 3 to 4 weeks for fully fitted orders.
- Fitting day. A like-for-like replacement is usually completed in a day, according to Costwise. Widening an opening, adding a lintel or repairing brickwork extends this, and finishing such as plastering and decorating comes afterwards.
Plan the day so that furniture is cleared back from the doors and there is a clear route from the front of the house to the opening. The room will be open to the weather for part of the day, so avoid booking in the worst of the winter weather if you can, and keep pets and children out of the area.
Security, energy efficiency and fit: what to look for
Security. Look for multipoint locking, so the door is secured at several points along its height rather than just at the handle, and for anti-lift features on the sliding panel. On in-line doors, which lock only when fully closed, make sure the lock engages positively and is easy to use. Value Doors emphasises advanced locking mechanisms across its range for exactly this reason.
Energy efficiency. Compare the U-value of the whole door, not just the glass. Double or triple glazing, warm-edge spacers and thermally broken aluminium frames all help. FENSA’s guide allows a centre-pane figure only in exceptional circumstances, so the whole-door figure is the one to ask for.
Installation quality. The frame should be level, plumb and square, with packers filling the gaps. Even a few millimetres out can cause binding, draughts or locking problems. After fitting, check that the panels glide freely, the locks engage without force, the seals touch all the way round and the drainage slots in the track are clear.
Our perspective on replacing patio doors
Most of the frustration we hear about with patio doors comes from three things: a long wait, an unclear price and a door that was never quite right for the opening. We built our service to take those out.
Aluminium sliding doors suit most replacement projects because the slim frames keep the glass area generous, and the strength of the material supports large panels. Our range covers two, three and four panel layouts in white, black and anthracite grey, so you can match the door to your windows and brickwork.
We offer both supply-only and fully fitted routes, because a contractor and a homeowner with no builder need different things. Supply-only orders are delivered in 10 working days. Fully fitted projects take 3 to 4 weeks. Security is central to how we choose our locking mechanisms, because a door that looks good but feels vulnerable has failed its main job.
If you are unsure between a slider and a bifold, think about how you use the space. Sliders keep an uncluttered view and need no room to swing or fold. Bifolds open the full width. Either way, we are happy to talk through the options with you.
the author
Order your replacement patio doors
If you have decided on a slider, Value Doors offers aluminium sliding patio doors from £1,077 to £2,754, available supply only or fully fitted, with delivery across the UK. Popular layouts include the 2 panel white sliding door and the 3 panel black sliding door. Prefer a wider opening? Browse the aluminium bifold range.
Have your opening measurements, preferred colour and panel count to hand, and the order process takes only a few minutes.
FAQ
How much should a new patio door cost?
A supplied-and-fitted replacement commonly runs from £1,200 to £6,500 in the UK, with about £2,200 as a typical figure, according to Costwise’s 2026 guide. uPVC sits at the lower end and large aluminium sets at the top. Widening the opening or lintel work adds to the total.
Do I need planning permission to replace patio doors?
A like-for-like replacement generally does not. Flats, conservation areas and listed buildings can be different, and changing a window into a patio door may need permission, as Brighton & Hove City Council explains. Check with your local planning team before you order.
Are sliding patio doors a good idea?
For many homes, yes. They need no space to swing open, keep the view clear with slim sightlines and suit wide openings. In-line systems are easy to operate, while lift-and-slide systems suit heavier panels, as Homebuilding describes.
How long does it take to replace a patio door?
A like-for-like fitting is usually one day, with extra time if the opening is widened or made good afterwards. Before that, allow for manufacture and delivery: Value Doors quotes 10 working days supply only and 3 to 4 weeks fitted.
Sources
- Patio door replacement cost calculator UK 2026, Costwise
- Sliding patio doors: your options and how to choose, Homebuilding
- Planning permission for doors and windows, Brighton & Hove City Council
- Replacement windows and doors guidance, Scottish Borders Council
- Guide to compliance, FENSA
