Horsham · West Sussex
Composite Doors in Horsham
We cover Horsham and wider West Sussex for composite door replacement, with a survey of the opening, a fixed written quote and fitting by our glaziers.
- RH12
- Guide from £1,295
Replacement front door for homes and businesses in Horsham
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.
Replacing a front door usually takes a day on site. The old door and frame are cut out, the new frame is fixed, packed and squared, the slab is hung and adjusted, and the frame is sealed outside and trimmed inside. Plaster around older frames sometimes needs making good afterwards.
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.
Composite doors do not need painting. Wipe the skin and frame with warm soapy water, avoid solvents and abrasive pads, and keep the threshold drainage clear. A little light oil on the lock gearing and hinges once or twice a year keeps the door closing smoothly, and hinges can be adjusted if it drops.
Included as standard
- Fitting, adjusting, sealing and finishing around the frame
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Multi-point lock with anti-snap cylinder
Working in Horsham
- Postcodes covered
- RH12 and the surrounding area, including Crawley, Horley and Haywards Heath
- Coast
- Horsham is well inland, around 26 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Horsham the midwinter sun reaches about 16° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.3 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 Horsham
| 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
Approved Document Q applies to new homes in England, where doors and windows are expected to meet PAS 24 or an equivalent standard. It does not apply to replacements in existing homes, but PAS 24 products are still a sensible choice.
What you can choose
Side panels and toplights
Glazed or solid panels beside or above the door to bring light into the hallway and fill wider openings.
Hardware finishes
Handles, knockers, letterplates and numerals in chrome, satin, gold, black or graphite, chosen to match the door style.
Solid timber core
A heavier slab with a timber core under the composite skin, giving a solid feel and sound when the door closes.
Composite Doors in Horsham: questions
Do I need building regulations approval for a new front door?
It depends on the door and where you live. In England, replacing a glazed external door is notifiable building work and must meet the energy standard, while the position for a mostly solid door depends on how much of it is glazed. A competent person scheme installer can self-certify notifiable work; otherwise building control approves it. Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland have their own systems, and we explain which applies before fitting.
What guarantee comes with a composite door?
Manufacturer guarantees apply to the door slab, frame, glass and locking hardware, and the terms are confirmed in writing. Guarantee terms for the installation are set out in writing with your quote, so you know what is covered before you go ahead. Keep the paperwork with your building regulations certificate for when you sell the property.
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.
Will a composite door fade or need painting?
Composite doors do not need painting, and the coloured skins are designed to resist fading, although any surface colour can change slightly over many years in strong sun. Clean the door with warm soapy water and a soft cloth, and avoid solvents or abrasive pads. Manufacturer guarantees apply to the finish, and the terms are confirmed in writing.
Do you cover Horsham for composite doors?
Yes. We can quote for composite doors across Horsham and the surrounding West Sussex area, including postcode districts RH12, and nearby Crawley, Horley and Haywards Heath. 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 Horsham
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.