Godalming · Surrey
Sliding Doors in Godalming
We cover Godalming and wider Surrey for sliding patio doors in aluminium and uPVC, from two-panel replacements to large multi-track and lift-and-slide systems.
- GU7
- Guide from £1,795
Godalming: sliding patio doors
Sliding door panes reach near the floor, so they need safety glass. In England, Approved Document K treats glass in doors, and in side panels within 300mm of a door's edge, up to 1500mm from the floor as critical. Toughened glass is standard; laminated adds security and holds together if broken.
Lift-and-slide doors raise the panel off its seals when the handle is turned, so it glides easily, then lower it back onto the gaskets when closed. This allows very large, heavy panels with good weather sealing. Standard in-line sliders are lighter, simpler and usually cost less.
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.
Sliding doors use large panels running on rollers within a multi-track frame. A two-panel door has one fixed and one sliding panel, while three or four-track systems let several panels stack behind each other for a wider opening. Panels can also slide into a wall pocket on some systems.
What a typical job includes
- Removal and disposal of the existing doors
- Written guarantee terms and advice on building regulations sign-off
- Toughened or laminated safety glass in every panel
- Made-to-measure sliding doorset in your chosen colour
Working in Godalming
- Postcodes covered
- GU7 and the surrounding area, including Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham
- Coast
- Godalming is well inland, around 42 km from the nearest coast, so salt exposure is not usually a factor.
- Daylight and sun
- In Godalming the midwinter sun reaches about 15° above the horizon at noon, with roughly 7.7 hours of daylight, rising to about 62° and 16.3 hours in midsummer. Large sliding panes on south or west elevations can bring strong solar gain and glare, so solar-control or neutral low-E glass helps keep rooms comfortable. On north-facing elevations, high light-transmission glass and slim frames make the most of limited winter daylight.
- Access and setting
- Rural patios are often uneven or sit below the floor, so threshold height, drainage and level tracks need careful planning. Exposed sites benefit from stiffer frames, robust weather seals and laminated glass, as homes may be some distance from neighbours.
- 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 Godalming
| 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 |
Get a guide price for your size
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).
Specification choices
Multi-track configuration
Two, three or four tracks so several panels stack behind each other, opening one or both sides of the frame.
Lift-and-slide doors
Panels lift off their seals to glide, then drop to seal tightly when closed; suited to very large, heavy glass panels.
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 Godalming: questions
Can I get sliding doors with a very slim frame?
Yes. Slimline aluminium sliding doors are designed with narrow outer frames and interlocks, and some systems hide part of the frame in the floor, walls or ceiling. Very slim systems need precise, level openings and strong support above, so the survey checks the lintel, floor and walls before recommending one.
What maintenance do sliding patio doors need?
Sliding patio doors need regular cleaning of the bottom track and drainage slots, a wipe of the frames with mild soapy water and occasional checks of the brush seals and locks. Avoid oiling the track, which attracts grit. If a panel starts to drag, roller adjustment is usually a short job for a glazier.
Do sliding patio doors need building regulations approval?
Yes. Fully glazed replacement doors like these are controlled fittings under building regulations, so the work must meet energy and safety glazing standards. In England, an installer registered with a competent person scheme can self-certify the installation, or building control approves it. Widening an opening is structural and needs separate approval. Other UK nations set their own requirements.
What guarantee comes with sliding patio doors?
Manufacturer guarantees apply to the frames, coating, rollers, locks and sealed units, and the terms are confirmed in writing. Cover for rollers can depend on regular cleaning, so read the conditions. Guarantee terms for the installation are set out in writing with your quote, so you know exactly what is covered before you go ahead.
Do you cover Godalming for sliding doors?
Yes. We can quote for sliding doors across Godalming and the surrounding Surrey area, including postcode districts GU7, and nearby Guildford, Aldershot and Farnham. 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 Godalming
Free survey for new glazing, clear guide prices and one point of contact for every glazing job.