Dorset · England
Sliding Doors in Dorset
Our glaziers fit sliding doors across Dorset, levelling the track, adjusting every panel and sealing the frame so the doors glide and lock properly.
- Guide from £1,795
- 7 towns covered
- Postcode areas BH, DT, SP
Dorset: aluminium sliding doors
Making an opening wider for new sliding doors is structural work that needs building control approval and a correctly sized lintel or steel. Replacing doors in the existing opening is simpler. Flats, listed buildings and conservation areas may also need planning or other consent for the change.
Security on sliding doors depends on multi-point hook locks that grip the frame, anti-lift blocks that stop panels being lifted off the track, internally glazed beads and an anti-snap cylinder. Older patio doors without anti-lift protection can sometimes be lifted out, so ask whether the system is tested to PAS 24.
In England, a replacement door with more than 60% of its internal face glazed should achieve a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or a Doorset Energy Rating of band C under Approved Document L. Large sliding doors in new extensions are assessed within the extension's energy calculations.
Because sliding panels are bigger and have fewer frames than bifold doors, they show fewer and slimmer sightlines when closed. Slimline aluminium systems can have very narrow interlocks between panels, which keeps the view across a garden as clear as possible. The trade-off is that one panel always remains in the opening.
Towns we cover for sliding doors in Dorset
Choose your town for local details, nearby areas and the postcode districts we cover.
What applies in Dorset
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.
For shops and other non-domestic buildings in England, Approved Document M covers accessible entrances, and Approved Document K requires large areas of glass that people could walk into to carry manifestation (visible markings).
Dorset has its own coastline, so for homes and businesses near the sea, salt air and wind-driven rain are part of the brief. Salt and sand collect in sliding door tracks near the coast, wearing rollers and seals more quickly, so tracks need more frequent cleaning. Stainless running gear, a coating suited to marine exposure and a raised threshold help on exposed elevations facing the sea.
Large sliding panels are heavy and long, so city installations need planned access through the house, parking nearby and sometimes lifting equipment for upper floors or balconies. Flats need freeholder consent and planning permission, and acoustic glass helps on busy roads.
Guide prices
| Typical job | Guide price inc VAT |
|---|---|
| Aluminium slider, 1800 mm wide | £2,695 – £3,495 |
| Aluminium slider, 3000 mm wide | £3,995 – £5,095 |
| Lift-and-slide, 4000 mm wide | £6,695 – £8,595 |
| uPVC patio door, 1800 mm wide | £1,795 – £2,395 |
Choosing your sliding doors
Flush or low threshold
A low-profile bottom track for near level access, paired with external drainage and used where there is some shelter.
Glass specification
Toughened low-E double glazing as standard, with triple glazing, laminated security glass, acoustic or solar-control glass available.
Multi-track configuration
Two, three or four tracks so several panels stack behind each other, opening one or both sides of the frame.
Slimline aluminium sliders
Very narrow frames and interlocks for the widest view, powder coated in a range of colours, suited to large openings.
Sliding Doors in Dorset: questions
How secure are sliding patio doors?
Modern sliding patio doors can be secure when fitted with multi-point hook locks, anti-lift blocks, internally beaded glass and an anti-snap cylinder. Older doors without anti-lift protection are a known weak point. Asking for a system tested to PAS 24 and choosing laminated glass on ground-floor doors gives a practical security benchmark.
How much do sliding patio doors cost?
The cost of sliding patio doors depends on the width and height, the number of panels and tracks, aluminium or uPVC, standard or lift-and-slide hardware, colour, glass and threshold. Large slimline aluminium systems sit at the upper end. See the guide prices for typical ranges; the written quote fixes the price for your exact specification.
Why is my sliding door so hard to open?
A sliding door usually becomes stiff because of grit in the track, worn or seized rollers, or a panel that has dropped out of adjustment. Cleaning the track often helps, and rollers can sometimes be adjusted or replaced. If the frame has distorted or the panels are very heavy, replacing the doors is often the more lasting fix.
How long does it take to install sliding doors?
Replacing a typical set of sliding patio doors takes about a day on site, and large multi-panel or lift-and-slide systems can take longer, especially if lifting equipment is needed. The doors are made to order first, and the manufacturing lead time is confirmed in writing when you accept the quote.
Which parts of Dorset do you cover for sliding doors?
We cover the whole of Dorset, including Bournemouth, Poole, Weymouth, Christchurch and Dorchester, and postcode areas BH, DT, SP. Building rules for sliding doors here follow the regulations for England. Enter your postcode on the quote form and we will confirm cover; then a glazier will arrange a free survey before giving you a written quote.
Other glazing services in Dorset
- Replacement Glass in Dorset
- Misted Glass Repair in Dorset
- Emergency Glazing in Dorset
- Safety Glass in Dorset
- Window Repairs in Dorset
- Window Film in Dorset
- uPVC Windows in Dorset
- Aluminium Windows in Dorset
- Sash Windows in Dorset
- Composite Doors in Dorset
- Bifold Doors in Dorset
- Secondary Glazing in Dorset
- Roof Lanterns in Dorset
- Glass Balustrades in Dorset
- Frameless Glass in Dorset
- Shower Screens in Dorset
- Glass Splashbacks in Dorset
- Bespoke Mirrors in Dorset
- Glass Roofs in Dorset
- Shopfront Glazing in Dorset
- Curtain Walling in Dorset
- Glass Partitions in Dorset
- Property Glazing in Dorset
Get a written quote in Dorset
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.