Doors · front and back doors
Composite front door
A composite door has a solid core inside a tough glass-reinforced skin moulded to look like painted timber. It is the most popular front door in the UK because it is secure, warm and needs no painting, and it comes in dozens of colours and glazing styles.
Is it right for your home?
Suits
- Front doors on almost any house
- Anyone replacing a draughty timber or tired uPVC door
Good points
- Strong and secure as standard
- Looks like painted timber without the upkeep
- Wide choice of colours and glass
Watch out for
- Costs more than a uPVC door
- Dark colours can fade on a sunny elevation
What a composite front door costs
A composite front door typically costs £1,400 (one composite front door and frame), with most jobs between £900 and £2,300. That includes VAT at 20%. Fitting takes 3–6 hours on site.
What you would actually pay
Typical one composite front door and frame · UK- Typical installed cost Composite front door, supplied and fitted
- £1,167
- VAT at 20% Standard rate
- £233
- Net cost to you
- £1,400
If you borrowed £1,400.00 over 36 months at 0.0%, it would cost £38.89 a month – £1,400.00 in total, of which £0.00 is interest. The last payment would be £38.85.
Illustration only – not a quote, not an offer of credit, and not financial advice. Rates depend on your circumstances and creditworthiness.
Where the money goes
| Element | Typical range |
|---|---|
| Door and frame A made-to-measure composite door in its frame, with multipoint lock and handles. | £700 – £1,900 |
| Fitting Removing the old door and frame and fitting the new one. | £180 – £400 |
| Side panels Only where the opening has glazed panels beside the door. | £0 – £500 |
Guide prices including VAT. Your actual cost depends on your home, access and specification.
What moves the price
- Brand and core
Doors with a solid timber core are heavier and dearer than foam-cored ones. Premium brands cost more again.
- Glass and side panels
A half-glazed door costs more than a solid one, and each side panel adds a further sum.
- Security
Look for doors tested to PAS 24 and cylinders that resist snapping. Most good doors include both; cheaper ones may not.
What should be in a quote
If a quote is missing any of these, ask why before you compare it with another.
- The make and model of the door, its colour inside and out, and the glass in it
- Whether the outer frame is replaced too, or only the door
- The locks: a multipoint lock, and cylinders tested to resist snapping
- Removal of the old door and frame, and making good around the new one
- The threshold, and whether it meets Building Regulations for level access where needed
- FENSA or CERTASS registration, and the guarantee
Prices by region
Labour is most of the difference. Typical price (one composite front door and frame), including VAT.
| Region | Typical | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,700 | +25% |
| South East | £1,600 | +17% |
| South West | £1,500 | +10% |
| East of England | £1,500 | +6% |
| West Midlands | £1,400 | +4% |
| Scotland | £1,400 | +2% |
| East Midlands | £1,400 | UK average |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,400 | UK average |
| North West | £1,400 | −2% |
| North East | £1,300 | −5% |
| Wales | £1,300 | −6% |
| Northern Ireland | £1,200 | −12% |
Common questions
Are composite doors better than uPVC?
They are thicker, more secure and look more like timber, which is why they cost more. A good uPVC door is still a sound choice for a back door.
How long does a composite door take to fit?
A straight replacement takes half a day. Allow a full day if the opening needs work.
Get quotes for your home
A guide price only takes you so far. Local firms can price the work on your own home, and comparing a few quotes is the quickest way to see what is reasonable.
Compare free quotes