Atherton · Greater Manchester
Composite Doors in Atherton
If your back door in Atherton is draughty, hard to lock or letting water in, we can survey it and quote for a made-to-measure composite replacement.
- M46
- M29
- BL5
- Guide from £1,295
Replacement front door in Atherton
A flat's entrance door that opens onto a shared stairwell or corridor is normally a fire door, so it should not be swapped for a standard composite door. Certified fire-rated composite doorsets are made for this purpose, and the freeholder or managing agent will usually need to agree the replacement.
Most composite doors use a multi-point lock: one turn of the key throws hooks, rollers or bolts into keeps along the frame. The euro cylinder is the weak point on many older doors, so look for one tested against snapping, such as a TS 007 3-star kitemarked or Sold Secure SS312 Diamond cylinder.
Glass in a door, and in any side panel within 300mm of the door's edge, counts as a critical location when it is within 1500mm of the floor. In England, Approved Document K expects that glass to be safety glass that breaks safely, such as toughened or laminated glass.
Composite door prices depend on the door style, core type, colour, glass design, side panels or toplights, hardware finish and lock specification. Removing an old frame from a deep or uneven opening, or fitting a new threshold, adds labour. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the figure.
What you get
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Made-to-measure composite doorset in your chosen colour
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Fitting, adjusting, sealing and finishing around the frame
About Atherton for this job
- Postcodes covered
- M46, M29, BL5 and the surrounding area, including Tyldesley, Westhoughton and Leigh
- Coast
- Atherton is well inland, around 26 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Atherton the midwinter sun reaches about 13° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.2 hours of daylight, rising to about 60° and 16.8 hours in midsummer. Dark-coloured doors in direct sun get much hotter than pale ones, so follow the manufacturer's guidance on colour for south and west-facing entrances. Glazed panels and side lights bring daylight into dark hallways, especially on north-facing elevations.
- Access and setting
- Rural doors often face open fields, driving rain and sometimes mud and animals, so robust weather seals and threshold drainage matter. Older cottages may have low or irregular openings, so doors are measured carefully and frames sized to suit.
- Rules in England
- Approved Document K requires safety glass in critical locations in England: glazing in doors and in side panels within 300 mm of a door, up to 1500 mm above floor level, and any glazing in walls or partitions up to 800 mm above floor level.
Guide prices in Atherton
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Composite front door, supplied and fitted | £1,295 – £1,795 |
| Door with one side panel | £1,695 – £2,295 |
| Door, side panel and top light | £1,895 – £2,595 |
Get a guide price for your size
If the glass sits in a fire-resisting door or screen, such as a flat entrance door or a commercial corridor screen, it must be replaced with fire-rated glazing tested as part of that system. Ordinary toughened glass is not a substitute.
Options to choose between
Hardware finishes
Handles, knockers, letterplates and numerals in chrome, satin, gold, black or graphite, chosen to match the door style.
Glass designs
Clear, obscure, bevelled or decorative glass in sealed cassettes, with toughened or laminated panes for safety and security.
Colours and dual colour
Woodgrain-textured skins in many colours, often with a different colour inside so the door suits both the street and the hallway.
Composite Doors in Atherton: questions
Can a composite door be fitted with a level threshold?
Yes, composite doors can be supplied with a low aluminium threshold for step-free or near step-free access. In England, where a house built in 1999 or later has a level threshold at the main entrance, the replacement should keep it. Low thresholds need good drainage and some shelter from driving rain, which the glazier checks at survey.
Do I need planning permission to replace my front door?
In England, replacing a house's front door with one of similar appearance usually does not need planning permission. Listed buildings need listed building consent for significant works, and conservation areas or Article 4 directions can restrict changes to front doors, colours and materials. Flats may need permission, so check with your council if your home falls into any of these.
What glass can I have in a composite door?
Composite door glass comes in sealed cassettes with clear, obscure, bevelled, leaded-effect or decorative designs. Any glass within 1500mm of the floor in a door should be safety glass, and laminated glass adds security because it stays together when struck. Obscure designs give privacy in hallways while still letting daylight in.
Are composite doors more secure than uPVC doors?
A well-specified composite door is usually stiffer and harder to force than an older uPVC panel door, but security depends mostly on the lock, cylinder, hinges and glass. Look for a multi-point lock, an anti-snap cylinder such as TS 007 3-star or SS312 Diamond, laminated glass and a door tested to PAS 24.
Do you cover Atherton for composite doors?
Yes. We can quote for composite doors across Atherton and the surrounding Greater Manchester area, including postcode districts M46, M29 and BL5, and nearby Tyldesley, Westhoughton and Leigh. Start with your postcode on the quote form and a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Get a written quote in Atherton
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.