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How much does a new front door cost UK? Solid wood front door cost breakdown

Decorative sage green front door set within a red brick house entrance. The door features raised period-style mouldings, a frosted glazed panel with a floral pattern, and a central letterbox. Dark trim surrounds the doorway, with a glazed transom window above and a hanging lantern light. Small potted plants and flowers sit at the base of the entrance.

In the UK, the average cost to get a new front door professionally made and installed varies in price depending on several factors. A cheap off-the-shelf plastic front door will be much cheaper but offer fewer design options and have a much shorter lifespan than a high-quality, made-to-measure front door. With so many options available for front doors, it can be hard to decide which is the right option for you.

In this article, we’ll outline how much a new front door may cost, and explain why a solid wood front door is worth the investment over a cheaper alternative. Remember, your front door is usually the first thing you see on your house, it defines your home’s kerb appeal, energy efficiency and provides security. It is something you’re going to have for many years and look at every single day, so it’s worth investing in something you truly love and will withstand the test of time.

How much does a new front door cost installed?

In Liverpool, the cost of a new front door with installation can range from £1,200 to £5,000+. The cost can vary depending on the material you choose, the design, finish, any bespoke features (such as stained-glass panels) and the hardware chosen. At the end of the day, you get what you pay for.

It’s important to remember that a new front door is an investment, and one that should last you many years to come. It is often the first thing people see when they look at your house, and it offers so much more than just a door. It can enhance your kerb appeal, increase property value, help with energy efficiency and most of all, keep you and your family secure.

A well-constructed, made-to-measure solid wood front door will last far longer than a cheaper uPVC or composite alternative, so in the long run, it actually works out a lot more cost-effective than purchasing a cheaper door that needs replacing far more regularly.

Front entrance of a red brick terraced house with a blue front door numbered 15. The door features a circular stained-glass panel, framed by white trim, with patterned black-and-white tiled steps leading up to it. Narrow decorative windows flank the entrance, and potted plants sit on either side of the doorway.

How much should I spend on a solid wood front door?

Aim to invest in the highest quality bespoke wooden door that you can afford. They become such a fundamental feature of your home that you want something you can enjoy and rely on for decades to come. As bespoke timber doors have so many different style options and features, how much you want to spend (or should spend) is completely up to you and your design preferences. The best way to get a good idea of how much your dream front door costs is to request a quote from us. We can work with you to design your dream front door from scratch, or if you have a set budget, we can give you guidance on what you could expect for that price.

How long do timber doors last?

Timber doors are the hardest-wearing and long-lasting style of door you can choose. How long they last depends on several factors, including the quality of the build, materials, finish, exposure and level of maintenance given. A well-built wooden front door that is given good, regular maintenance can last you decades.

We’re confident in the quality of our bespoke timber front doors, which is why we offer an up to 10-year warranty for the repair or replacement of any hardware that fails.

Do I need planning permission to change my front door?

In most cases, you only need planning permission for a new front door if you want to change its location. For example, if you are moving your front door from the front of the house to the side facing the pavement or changing the size of the door frame, you may need permission.

There are some exceptions; if you live in a conservation area, a listed building or any property recognised by a Heritage body, you should check whether you are permitted to change this and what limitations there are to it, as there may be local conservation limitations on what you can do.

If you do live in a heritage property, Preferred Joinery can help as we are specialist conservation joiners with many years of experience working alongside conservation specialists to replace doors and windows on period properties and listed buildings.

We understand the rules and regulations that apply to listed buildings and properties in conservation areas, so we can help guide you on what is required to replace your front door as well as designing, handcrafting and fitting a new front door that is in-keeping with the traditional period design.

A craftsperson wearing protective gloves and a respirator mask sands a wooden door in a workshop. The door lies flat on a workbench, showing multiple recessed panels and a curved opening on one side. Tools, timber boards, and workshop equipment are visible in the background.

Why choose a wooden front door?

Wooden front doors offer a range of benefits that justify investing in them. They’re a timeless choice, which works especially well for period and older properties, offering great thermal insulation and long-term durability as one of the hardest-wearing materials for a front door. Some of the main advantages of a wooden front door include:

  • Unmatched aesthetic appeal: Wooden front doors offer unmatched natural beauty you just don’t get with uPVC or composite style doors. They add a timeless sophistication to your home that is very highly sought after.
  • Enhanced durability: Wood is known for its strength and durability, and solid wood doors are naturally dense and sturdy. Made well and treated properly, they can withstand knocks, bumps and general wear and tear that comes from regular use, as well as being highly resistant against all types of weather. They can last, on average, up to 4 times as long as a uPVC front door.
  • Extremely secure: As wooden front doors are so solid, when paired with a high-quality lock, they are not easily penetrable, creating a strong barrier against potential break-ins.
  • Energy-efficient: Wood is a natural insulator, so it helps to effectively trap heat in the home during the cold and keep your house cooler in the summer. Our made-to-measure wooden front doors are also expertly made to your exact door size and installed with a tight, flush seal, which means there are no drafts or spaces for heat to escape.
  • Highly customisable: Wooden front doors are incredibly customisable, especially when ordering a bespoke front door. Everything from the design, shape, size, colour, hardware and glass can be completely customised exactly how you’d like it. This allows you to create a truly bespoke piece that will be the pride of place in your home.
  • Increased property value: Wooden front doors are a highly sought-after feature that buyers love to see, and according to Propertymark, installing a new front door is one of the top things you can do to add value to your property.

There are so many benefits to choosing bespoke wooden front doors over other options. Once you weigh them up, they’re more than worth the extra cost.

How much can I customise my new front door?

If you choose a bespoke front door from Preferred Joinery, we will design, handcraft and install a completely customised, made-to-measure wooden front door. This means you can customise it however you like. We work with you on the entire process, from initial designs and building it by hand in our Liverpool workshop to expertly fitting it in your property at a time that suits you best.

We offer complete design freedom, so you can customise everything, including:

  • The style: we can do everything from bespoke Victorian, Edwardian or Georgian-style front doors to unique contemporary designs.
  • The colour: choose whatever finish you like, whether this is a plain, natural wood grain or funky, bright colour.
  • Glass or glazing: if you want glass panelling, we can create bespoke glass designs based on your request. Whether you want simple, plain glass, your house number, flowers, stars or something completely unique, we can make your dream a reality.
  • Hardware: you choose the hardware style, colour and placement.
  • The size and shape: as our doors are all made-to-measure, we can make a wooden front door to fit any size or shape.
A workshop craftsperson wearing protective gloves and a respirator mask works on a wooden door laid flat on a workbench. The door frame and timber panels are being assembled or adjusted by hand, with woodworking tools and equipment visible in the workshop background.

Get a quote for your new front door today.

The best way to get an accurate quote for a new front door is to get in touch and speak to one of our specialists. We’ll be able to provide a quote based on exactly what you want, so you know exactly how much you can expect to pay for your dream front door. If you have a set budget you’re working with, let us know, and we can try to develop a design that fits in line with your budget.

A made-to-measure wooden front door can really transform your home and is one thing that if you have the choice, you should invest in. Whether you’re looking for a new front door for your home, commercial, or period property, we can help. Our team of experienced joiners and craftsmen have 30 years of experience handcrafting wooden front doors for properties in Liverpool and the surrounding areas. We’d love to make your dream front door a reality.

For your quote, call the team today on 0151 707 9999, email info@preferredjoinery.co.uk, or fill in our online enquiry form.