If you want a warm, quiet, low-maintenance entrance without paying over the odds, a uPVC door is still the UK’s value king. Modern profiles are stronger, more efficient and available in dozens of colours (including dual-colour) — far removed from the rattly white panels of the 90s.
This guide covers types, security, U-values, glazing, thresholds, colour options, realistic price ranges, and when you should pick composite or aluminium instead.
Quick summary (so you can decide fast)
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Best for: Budget-friendly front/back doors with good energy performance and minimal upkeep.
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Not ideal for: Very wide spans or ultra-slim sightlines (consider composite or aluminium).
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Typical installed prices (guide, incl. VAT):
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uPVC front door: £1,200–£1,800
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uPVC back door: £1,200–£1,800
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uPVC French doors: £1,700–£2,600
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uPVC patio sliding doors: £1,800–£2,800
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uPVC bi-fold doors: £4,500–£9,000
(Ranges vary by size, spec, glazing and postcode. Check your own range in our Double Glazing Cost Calculator.)
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What exactly is a uPVC door?
uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a rigid, stable plastic extruded into multi-chamber profiles. Those internal chambers trap air, increasing thermal performance and stiffness. Frames are reinforced (often with galvanised steel or composite inserts) where needed, and a multi-point lock secures the sash into the frame at several points.
Why homeowners pick it:
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Good U-values without expensive upgrades
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Low maintenance (no painting; occasional wash + hinge oil)
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Strong value vs composite/aluminium
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Huge style range (solid, part-glazed, fully glazed; midrails; heritage bar designs; woodgrain foils; dual-colour)
Types of uPVC doors
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Front/Back doors – solid or part-glazed, with letterplate, knocker, spyhole and decorative/obscure glass options.
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French doors – classic double outward-opening pair with floating/middle mullion for a wide clear opening.
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Patio sliding doors – smooth, space-saving; 2–4 panels with modern sealed tracks and integrated brush seals.
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uPVC bi-folds – most brands offer aluminium for slimmer frames, but uPVC bi-folds are available for value-led projects where a slightly chunkier sightline is acceptable.
Energy performance & U-values (what’s realistic)
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Modern uPVC front/back doors with insulated cores and warm-edge, low-E glass commonly achieve U-values around 1.0–1.4 W/m²K, depending on panel/glass ratio and spec.
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Fully glazed uPVC French/Patio sets are usually ~1.2–1.4 W/m²K with good glass and spacer bars.
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Add triple glazing to push lower — though the cost/benefit depends on your home and orientation.
Tip: Ask for the door set U-value (not just glass centre-pane). And request warm-edge spacers and argon-filled units as standard.
Security: what to insist on
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PAS 24 (or an equivalent enhanced security package) — shows the doorset has passed attack testing.
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Secured by Design (SBD): Bestpricevalue.com is an SBD member. Wherever possible, choose Police Preferred Specification doorsets/hardware or SBD-accredited manufacturers — it means the product and its installation approach meet police-endorsed security standards.
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Multi-point locking with robust keeps and hinge protection (safety dog-bolts).
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Cylinder: Look for TS 007 3-Star or SS312 Diamond anti-snap cylinder. These resist snapping, bumping and drilling.
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Laminated glass on vulnerable panes improves security and acoustic performance.
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Correct fitting is crucial: frame fixings, packers and keeps must be aligned so the lock throws cleanly with the door closed.
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Colour, dual-colour & finishes
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Smooth colours: White, black, anthracite, greens, creams, etc.
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Woodgrains: Golden Oak, Rosewood, Irish Oak, etc.
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Dual-colour: Different outside/inside. Popular combo: outside Anthracite / inside White for bright interiors.
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Cost effect: Colours typically add ~3–5% to the door price; dual-colour tends to be nearer the lower end, while woodgrain both sides can be at the upper end.
Glazing & privacy
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Obscure patterns for bathrooms/side alleys.
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Decorative or leaded for period homes.
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Toughened (standard on doors) and laminated options for security & noise.
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Low-E and argon as standard for energy performance.
Thresholds, access & weather
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Part M low thresholds improve accessibility; pair with good drip bars, compression gaskets and trickle vents (where needed) to keep water out and airflow healthy.
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Coastal or exposed sites benefit from upgraded seals and hardware with better corrosion resistance.
Maintenance & lifespan
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Clean frames & gaskets with mild soapy water.
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Oil hinges & locks 1–2× per year (light machine oil).
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Expect 20–30 years of service life with quality hardware and correct installation.
Realistic price ranges (installed)
Use these as guide ranges for typical UK installs (standard sizes), inclusive of VAT and fitting:
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uPVC Front door: £1,200–£1,800
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uPVC Back door: £1,200–£1,800
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uPVC French doors: £1,700–£2,600
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uPVC Patio sliding doors: £1,800–£2,800
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uPVC Bi-fold doors: £4,500–£9,000 (size/panel count drives cost)
Prices vary by region, size, colour, glazing, hardware, and installer. For your postcode-based range, use our Double Glazing Cost Calculator — it’s quick and doesn’t require sign-up.
uPVC vs Composite vs Aluminium — which should you pick?
| Scenario | Pick uPVC | Pick Composite | Pick Aluminium |
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| Tight budget, solid thermal performance | ✅ | – | – |
| Premium front door look/feel & rigidity | – | ✅ (GRP/composite skins) | – |
| Very slim sightlines, wide spans | – | – | ✅ |
| Coastal/exposed with best hardware finishes | ✅ (spec hardware well) | ✅ | ✅ |
| Minimal maintenance | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
Bottom line: For standard front/back doors and most French/Patio sets, uPVC offers the best £/performance balance. Choose composite for a “chunkier”, upmarket front door feel, and aluminium when you need wide spans or sleek lines.
Buying checklist (print or save)
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Postcode-accurate quote with full spec line-by-line (profile, reinforcement, glass, spacer, gas, hardware, threshold).
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Confirm U-value for the door set and whether warm-edge & argon are included.
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Security: PAS 24 (or equivalent), TS 007 3-Star/SS312 cylinder, SBD approval, hinge bolts, laminated glass where sensible.
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Colour & finish: confirm edge-wraps, dual-colour, cills and any matching trims.
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Survey: check opening sizes, squareness, damp proof course and any remedial works.
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Certifications: FENSA/Certass self-certification + insurance-backed guarantee.
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Lead-times & installer availability.
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Payment schedule and written warranty.
Typical lead-times
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Standard white: ~2–3 weeks manufacturing in normal conditions.
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Colours/dual-colour or special glazing: add 1–2 weeks.
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Installer lead times vary by region and season; peak demand is spring to early summer.
How to avoid overpaying
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Use postcode-based pricing to understand your realistic range.
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Compare like-for-like specs (many quotes quietly downgrade glass/hardware).
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Let us benchmark your quotes and help you shortlist vetted installers. Start here: Get my free quotes.
FAQs
Do coloured uPVC doors fade?
Modern foils and coatings are extremely stable. Clean with mild soap (no solvents). Look for reputable foil brands and a solid colour warranty.
Do I need trickle vents?
Where Building Regulations or your ventilation strategy requires them, yes. Good quality trickle vents minimise draughts while keeping airflow compliant.
What about finance?
If you want to spread the cost, run your final basket figure through our Finance Calculator to see an illustrative monthly example (subject to status/provider).
The take-away
A uPVC door remains the strongest value choice for most UK homes: warm, quiet, and low-maintenance at a fair price. Specify the security details properly, confirm the door-set U-value, and compare quotes against a realistic postcode-based range — and you’ll avoid the usual pitfalls.
