Wells · Somerset
Composite Doors in Wells
Timber doors in Wells that swell, stick or need repainting can be replaced with low-maintenance composite doors that look like painted timber.
- BA5
- Guide from £1,295
Composite back doors for homes and businesses in Wells
For easily accessible doors in new homes in England, Approved Document Q expects doorsets that resist forced entry, commonly shown by testing to PAS 24. Asking for a PAS 24 tested composite door is a practical benchmark when replacing a front or back door, even though the rule targets new dwellings.
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.
Letterplates can be a security weak spot, because tools can be fed through to reach the inside handle or keys. A letterplate with an internal cowl or restrictor, or a door with no letterplate and a wall-mounted post box, reduces that risk. Keys should be kept away from the door.
In England, replacing a glazed external door is notifiable building work, and whether a mostly solid door counts depends on how much of it is glazed, so the installer confirms what applies. Where notification is needed, an installer registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify the work; otherwise building control approves it.
What's included
- Multi-point lock with anti-snap cylinder
- Made-to-measure composite doorset in your chosen colour
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
Working in Wells
- Postcodes covered
- BA5 and the surrounding area, including Shepton Mallet, Street and Frome
- Coast
- Wells is well inland, around 25 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Wells the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.6 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.4 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 Wells
| 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
In England, replacing a whole window, roof window or glazed external door is building work. It has to be notified to building control, either by an installer registered with a competent person scheme such as FENSA or Certass, or through a building notice to the council. Replacing only the glass in an existing frame is a repair and is not notifiable.
Choosing your composite doors
Side panels and toplights
Glazed or solid panels beside or above the door to bring light into the hallway and fill wider openings.
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.
Insulated foam core
A lighter slab with a high-density foam core, offering good thermal performance and a wide range of styles.
Composite Doors in Wells: questions
How much does a composite front door cost?
The cost of a composite door depends on the style, core type, colour, glass, side panels or toplights, hardware and lock specification, plus the condition of the opening. A plain door in a standard colour sits at the lower end, while doors with glazed side panels and premium hardware cost more. See the guide prices; the written quote fixes your price.
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.
How long does it take to fit a composite door?
Fitting a composite front or back door usually takes a day on site, including removing the old door and frame, fitting and adjusting the new doorset and sealing around it. Doors are made to order first, and the manufacturing lead time depends on the style and colour; it is confirmed in writing when you accept the quote.
Do you cover Wells for composite doors?
Yes. We can quote for composite doors across Wells and the surrounding Somerset area, including postcode districts BA5, and nearby Shepton Mallet, Street and Frome. 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 Wells
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.