Doors · garden doors
French doors
French doors are a pair of glazed doors that open outwards, or inwards, from the middle. They suit a standard opening onto a garden or patio, cost less than bifolds or sliding doors, and fit well on period and modern houses alike.
Is it right for your home?
Suits
- Openings of up to about two metres
- Dining rooms and back rooms onto the garden
Good points
- The most affordable garden doors
- Classic look that suits most houses
Watch out for
- The open doors need clear space outside or in
- Narrower opening than bifolds
What French doors cost
French doors typically cost £1,200 (a pair of uPVC French doors and frame), with most jobs between £740 and £3,000. That includes VAT at 20%. Fitting takes 1 day on site.
What you would actually pay
Typical a pair of uPVC French doors and frame · UK- Typical installed cost French doors, supplied and fitted
- £1,000
- VAT at 20% Standard rate
- £200
- Net cost to you
- £1,200
If you borrowed £1,200.00 over 36 months at 0.0%, it would cost £33.33 a month – £1,200.00 in total, of which £0.00 is interest. The last payment would be £33.45.
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 |
|---|---|
| Doors and frame A made-to-measure pair of uPVC French doors with double glazing and multipoint locking. | £560 – £2,500 |
| Fitting Removing the old doors and fitting the new pair and frame. | £180 – £480 |
Guide prices including VAT. Your actual cost depends on your home, access and specification.
What moves the price
- Material
uPVC is the cheapest. Aluminium and timber pairs cost considerably more.
- Side panels
Glazed side panels make a narrow pair fit a wider opening and add to the price.
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 (a pair of uPVC French doors and frame), including VAT.
| Region | Typical | vs UK average |
|---|---|---|
| London | £1,500 | +25% |
| South East | £1,400 | +17% |
| South West | £1,300 | +10% |
| East of England | £1,300 | +6% |
| West Midlands | £1,200 | +4% |
| Scotland | £1,200 | +2% |
| East Midlands | £1,200 | UK average |
| Yorkshire and the Humber | £1,200 | UK average |
| North West | £1,200 | −2% |
| North East | £1,100 | −5% |
| Wales | £1,100 | −6% |
| Northern Ireland | £1,100 | −12% |
Common questions
Should French doors open in or out?
Out is more common in the UK because the doors seal better against the weather and take no room inside.
Can French doors replace a window?
Yes, by cutting the wall down below the window to make a doorway. It needs a check that the lintel above is adequate and usually Building Regulations sign-off, so it costs more than a straight swap.
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