A front door is the one product in the house people look at every single day, so it tends to attract more agonising per pound than a whole set of windows. Composite doors dominate the market because they solve the two big complaints about older uPVC — they feel solid, and they hold their colour.
Prices vary widely, and much of the variation is genuine: slab thickness, core material, lock specification and glazing all change the number. This guide breaks the cost down so you can read a quote properly.
Typical fitted prices
| Specification | Price fitted | What you get |
|---|---|---|
| Entry level composite | £950 – £1,300 | 44mm slab, basic cylinder, standard glazing, white or one of two colours |
| Mid-range composite | £1,300 – £1,800 | 48mm slab, solid timber or foam core, 3-star cylinder, wide colour range |
| Premium composite | £1,800 – £2,600 | Thicker slab, decorative glazing, designer furniture, colour-matched frame both sides |
| Door with one side panel | £1,600 – £2,400 | Adds a glazed side light |
| Door with two side panels | £2,000 – £3,200 | Wider opening, common on 1930s and newer builds |
| Composite back door | £850 – £1,300 | Usually simpler glazing and furniture |
Composite vs uPVC on price
Spread over its life a composite door is usually the cheaper option than uPVC, but only if the specification is decent. A thin slab with a hollow core and a basic cylinder is a composite door in name only.
| Door type | Fitted price | Typical lifespan | Maintenance |
|---|---|---|---|
| uPVC panel door | £650 – £1,000 | 15 – 20 years | Wipe clean, occasional hinge adjustment |
| Composite door | £950 – £2,600 | 25 – 35 years | Wipe clean, lubricate lock yearly |
| Aluminium door | £1,800 – £3,500 | 30+ years | Very low |
| Timber door | £1,200 – £3,000 | 20 – 40 years if maintained | Repaint or re-oil every 2 – 4 years |
The extras that add up
- Anthracite grey, black or a RAL colour on both faces rather than white inside: £60 – £180
- Decorative or bevelled glazing rather than plain obscure: £80 – £300
- Three-star anti-snap cylinder upgrade: £45 – £90
- Letterplate, knocker, spy hole and numerals in a matching finish: £60 – £150
- Low threshold for level access: £70 – £150
- Frame widening or a new lintel where the opening has moved: £150 – £400
What a fitted price should include
A proper quote covers removal and disposal of the old door, a frame fixed and packed correctly rather than foamed into a gap, weather sealing inside and out, a threshold set so water runs away from the house, and the lock adjusted so the door closes with one push rather than a shove.
It should also state the cylinder standard, the slab thickness and the guarantee terms in writing. If those three are missing, you cannot compare the quote against anyone else's.
How to spot a cheap door dressed up
Look at the slab edge
A good composite door has a solid core right through and a GRP skin bonded to it. Ask what the core is made of. Timber-core and high-density foam cores both perform; a mostly hollow slab with reinforcing ribs does not.
Check the hardware
The lock should be a multi-point with hooks rather than just rollers, and the cylinder should be anti-snap. This is where budget doors save money, and it is exactly the part you do not want them saving on.
Getting a price for your own door
Door prices are size-driven, so an online configurator will only take you so far — the opening has to be measured. We fit composite and uPVC doors throughout Central Scotland and will measure, quote in writing and tell you plainly if a repair to your existing door would do instead.
Common questions
Good GRP skins hold colour well, though very dark colours in strong south-facing sun will soften slightly over many years. Cheap doors fade noticeably faster.
Want a straight answer on your own windows or doors?
DM Installations fits and repairs windows and doors across Central Scotland — Cumbernauld, Glasgow, Falkirk, Stirling and the surrounding towns. Free survey, written quote, and an honest answer on whether you need a repair or a replacement.
Related guides
uPVC vs Composite Doors
Side-by-side on price, security, insulation and lifespan, plus the situations where uPVC is still the better buy.
When to call a proDoor Lock and Security Problems
Failing gearboxes, snappable cylinders and the cheap upgrades that make the biggest difference to door security.
How-toHow to Adjust a uPVC Door
Which screw does what on flag, butt and rebate hinges, and how to get a dropped or sticking door closing properly again.