COST GUIDES
French doors installation: UK cost breakdown for 2026
Updated 06/26
Have you always dreamed of living in a home that lets the outside in and that’s flooded with tons of natural light? We’ve laid out the average cost of French doors so that you can see you’re a lot closer to achieving your dreams than you might realise.
This guide breaks down costs by material, covers labour rates, and explains what drives the final bill.
Fast Facts
The average cost to install French doors in a brick wall ranges from £1,700–£3,125 depending on the scope of the work
uPVC is the most cost-effective option, with hardwood and aluminium coming in at a premium
Converting an existing window to French doors is cheaper than creating a new structural opening
Average cost to install wooden French doors
| Item | Additional cost |
|---|---|
| Fully-glazed wooden door | £725 |
| Multiple double-glazed wooden doors | £900 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |
Wooden French doors cost around £725 for a single door, or £900 for multiple doors.
How much you pay depends on whether you're creating a new opening or fitting into an existing one, the material you choose, and where you live. Here are the main cost factors:
Whether you're creating a new opening from scratch or converting an existing doorway or window
Whether you need to enlarge an existing window or doorway for your French door installation
What material your French doors are made of
Whether you want one door or several
The cost of labour in your area
If you're creating a new opening in a brick wall, the job involves more than just fitting the door. A structural lintel needs to be installed to support the wall above, and brickwork needs to be cut back.
That takes extra time and skill, which is why new opening costs are considerably higher than a straightforward replacement into an existing frame.
If you're replacing a window with French doors, the size of the existing opening will determine how much preparation work is needed before fitting can begin.
Average cost of uPVC French doors
uPVC is the most popular material for French doors in the UK. Here's what you can expect to pay for supply and installation.
| uPVC French door installation | Labour | Materials (incl. Council fees) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|
| Converting an existing window to a French door (uPVC) | £600 | £1,100 | £1,700 |
| Creating a new opening and fitting a uPVC French door | £1,925 | £1,200 | £3,125 |
| Enlarging an existing window/door and fitting a uPVC French door | £1,925 | £1,200 | £3,125 |
| Last updated: July 2026 Our costs are ballpark averages - get a local tradesperson to quote now | |||
In general, you can expect to pay around £1,700 in total to convert an existing window into a uPVC French door. This includes both labour and the cost of the door itself.
If you're hoping to create a new opening or enlarge an existing door or window, you're looking at somewhere in the region of £3,125.
If you want double glazing doors rather than single glazing (and for external French doors you almost certainly do), factor that into your budget from the start. Double glazing adds thermal performance and reduces noise, and most off-the-shelf uPVC French doors come double-glazed as standard.
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Aluminium French doors cost
Expect to pay an average of £3,000 for aluminium sliding doors.
Aluminium French doors cost more than uPVC, but they're slimmer, stronger, and last longer. You can get them powder-coated in a wide range of colours.
For costs across aluminium door types, see our aluminium sliding doors guide.
Timber and hardwood French doors cost
Timber French doors are at the top of the price range. A hardwood set installed into an existing opening typically costs around £725 for a single glazed door.
Timber doors need more maintenance than uPVC or aluminium - you'll need to plan for regular painting or staining to keep them weatherproof.
Material cost comparison: uPVC, aluminium, and timber
Material | Typical cost (supply + install in an existing opening) | Lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
uPVC | £3,125 | 20–30 years | Low |
Aluminium | £3,000 | 30–45 years | Low |
Timber/hardwood | £725 | 30–60 years | High |
French doors vs patio doors vs bifold doors: which costs less?
French doors are generally the mid-range option. uPVC French doors are typically cheaper than aluminium bifold doors but more expensive than basic sliding patio doors.
Here's how the costs compare at a glance:
Door type | Typical installed cost range | Main advantage |
|---|---|---|
French doors | £1,500-£2,500 | Traditional look, secure, good for smaller spaces |
Patio (sliding) doors | £3,000-£5,000 | Space-efficient, modern look |
Bifold doors | £3,000-£5,000 | Maximum opening, premium finish |
The right choice depends on the space you have and how wide you want the opening to be.
French doors need clearance to swing outwards (or inwards), so they're not ideal if your garden is right up against the door.
Bifold doors fold back flat, giving you a full-width opening, but they cost significantly more.
Sliding patio doors don't need swing clearance and often come in at a lower price point.
For detailed pricing, see our patio door replacement cost and bifold door installation cost guides.
Try the job estimate calculator
Want a quick quote, to get an idea of how much it might cost to install French doors in your home? Give the Checkatrade job estimate tool a go!
Type out a few details about the doors you'd like and what the project will involve, and the calculator will use our data to give you an approximate cost.
Job Estimate Calculator
Do French doors add value to a house?
French doors can add value to a home, particularly when they open onto a garden or patio. Estate agents generally consider them a positive feature for kerb appeal and natural light.
As a rough guide, some experts estimate you can add up to 5-10% in value to your property with well-installed garden doors in the right property type, but this varies by location and market conditions.
The value uplift depends on the quality of the installation and the material: aluminium and timber tend to have a stronger impact than uPVC.
That said, adding doors where none existed before may require planning permission if your property is listed or in a conservation area, so always check with your local authority before starting work.
The more reliable return comes from improved energy performance - especially if you're replacing a single-glazed or draughty older door - and from making the space more liveable.
Find a door fitting specialist covering your area
Finding door fitters is easy with Checkatrade. We check, verify and approve all of our members. All of the tradespeople in our directory meet our high quality standards.
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Use our quick and easy request a quote feature and we will get experienced local door fitters to contact you directly. To get accurate quotes, be as detailed as you can:
The material you want (uPVC, aluminium, or timber)
Whether you need a new opening formed or are replacing an existing door or window
The size of the opening you have in mind
Whether you want double glazing as standard
Any access considerations (e.g. steps, narrow passage to the rear)
You can also search for door fitters near you to see verified tradespeople in your area, or download the Checkatrade app.
French doors cost checklist
When you're hiring a tradesperson to install your new French doors, tick off everything on our handy list to make sure you're getting a job well done.
French doors cost guide checklist
Before contacting a tradesperson, here's what to check:
FAQs
French doors open outwards on a hinge, whereas patio doors usually slide sideways along a track. This makes French doors more traditional in appearance. The terms are often used interchangeably, but the key mechanical difference is hinge vs slide.
Modern French doors are typically more secure than sliding doors because they use multi-lock systems. Many manufacturers produce French doors that have passed PAS024 security testing. Sliding doors tend to rely on simpler locking mechanisms that push up or down to lock.
French doors typically last around 30 years, though the exact lifespan depends on the material and how well they're maintained. Aluminium and timber doors can last up to 45 years with proper care.
Basic sliding patio doors tend to come in at the lower end of the price range, while French doors sit in the middle. Bifold doors are typically the most expensive option. Costs vary significantly by material and brand, so it's worth getting quotes for all three if you're undecided.
Internal French doors are considerably cheaper than external ones. You're looking at around £725 for a wooden glazed French door, plus installation costs. Because internal doors don't need to be weatherproof or security-rated to the same standard, the door unit itself costs less.
A straightforward replacement into an existing opening usually takes one day. If a new opening needs to be formed in a brick wall (including fitting a lintel), allow two to three days for the work.
Need help choosing the right door? Explore our guides on internal, composite and front doors — or find checked door fitting services near you to get tailored advice.
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