A replacement front or back door is a new door and frame, usually composite, uPVC or aluminium, made to fit your existing opening and fitted with multi-point locks and weather seals to improve security, warmth and kerb appeal.
South Glamorgan is part of our UK-wide coverage for a new front or back door. Places we cover include Cardiff, Barry, Penarth and Llantwit Major, and we travel to smaller communities across the area as well. Since your property is in Wales, the relevant planning and building rules are the ones set there. In Wales, budget around £900–£3,200 with VAT; the figure is confirmed after a survey that costs you nothing.
- Guide price
- £900–£3,200 inc VAT
- Time on site
- Usually half a day to one day per door
- Planning rules
- Wales
- Price level
- About 8% below the national guide
- Towns listed
- 4
- Survey
- Free, with a written quote
Front and back doors prices in South Glamorgan
The costs listed here are typical for a new front or back door around South Glamorgan and include VAT. They reflect labour and material costs in Wales, about 8% below the national guide, giving a range of £900–£3,200. Exact pricing depends on your home, so we only fix it once a free site survey is done.
| Type of job | What it usually involves | Guide in South Glamorgan |
|---|---|---|
| uPVC back door | A standard uPVC back or side door with a half-glazed panel and multi-point lock. | £750–£1,400 |
| Composite front door | A made-to-measure composite door in your chosen colour, glass design and hardware. | £1,100–£2,300 |
| Aluminium or door with side panels | A premium aluminium door, or a composite door with one or two side panels. | £2,300–£4,600 |
The main things that change the figure:
- Door material: uPVC, composite or aluminium
- Side panels, fanlights and the amount of glass
- Colour, including different colours inside and out
- Condition of the opening, threshold and surrounding brickwork
Scope of the work
- Multi-point locking with anti-snap cylinders and matching handles
- Glazing panels, side panels or fanlights where specified
- Removal and disposal of the old door and frame
- Low threshold options for level or easier access
- Weather seals, sealant and internal trims finished neatly
- Building regulations paperwork where a glazed door needs it
Homes in South Glamorgan
Cardiff has large areas of bay-fronted Victorian and Edwardian terraces in districts such as Roath, Canton and Cathays, plus interwar suburbs, post-war estates and modern flats around Cardiff Bay. Penarth has Victorian villas, Barry mixes terraces with newer estates, and Vale of Glamorgan villages are often built of local limestone.
Terraces commonly suit loft conversions, side-return and rear extensions, and bay window renewal. Suburban semis take side extensions and driveways, and stone village homes need lime-based repairs.
Mild but wet, with coastal exposure along the Severn estuary and Bristol Channel affecting render, roofline and windows.
Do you need permission in South Glamorgan?
England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland each handle planning a little differently. South Glamorgan comes under Wales, covered below, and we raise any questions with the council before your quote is finalised.
In Wales, replacing windows and doors on a house usually needs no planning permission if the new ones are similar in appearance. Listed buildings, flats and some conservation areas are controlled, so the council should be asked first.
Building Regulations in Wales apply to replacement windows and doors, covering energy performance, ventilation and escape routes. A registered competent person can self-certify the work, or building control inspects it.
Rules change and every property is different, so we check the planning history and constraints for your address before we quote.
The four stages
Free site survey
A free survey comes first. It gives us what we need to price a new front or back door properly, including dimensions, existing materials and access for deliveries, and gives you the chance to ask anything you like.
Quote in writing
After the survey we send a quote for a new front or back door that fixes the price for the scope we've agreed. If you want to change materials or scope, we revise it in writing before anything is booked.
Getting ready
Once you accept, we agree start dates, order materials and deal with any planning, building control or neighbour notices the job needs. You'll know who is coming and when before work begins.
On site to finish
Work goes ahead as scheduled and you deal with one contact throughout. When the last trade leaves, we clear and clean the site, talk you through what has been done and pass on any certificates and care instructions.
How we work
Frequently asked questions
How long does it take to make a new door?
Made-to-measure doors usually take a few weeks to manufacture after the survey and your order are confirmed. Bespoke colours, special glass designs and aluminium doors can take longer. Once the door arrives, we arrange a fitting date that suits you. We give you a realistic lead time with your written quote, and we keep you updated if the manufacturer's dates change.
What is the difference between a composite and a uPVC door?
A composite door has a tough outer skin over a solid insulated core, so it feels heavier and more solid than uPVC and holds its colour well. A uPVC door is built from reinforced plastic panels and costs less. Both can have multi-point locking and good weather seals. Many people choose composite for the front door and uPVC for back or side doors, where looks matter less.
How much will a new front or back door cost in South Glamorgan?
As a guide, expect to pay £900–£3,200 including VAT for a new front or back door in South Glamorgan. That range is adjusted for Wales, which runs about 8% below the national guide. Where your project lands depends on size, materials, access and the condition of what is already there. We confirm a fixed price in writing after a free survey of your home.
Do I need planning permission in South Glamorgan?
It depends on the work, the size of the project, your property type and whether the building is listed or in a conservation area. South Glamorgan is in Wales, so Wales's rules apply. Many smaller jobs need no planning application, but some still need building control approval. We check what applies to your address before quoting.
How secure are modern doors?
Modern external doors are far more secure than older designs because they lock at several points along the frame, not just at the handle. We fit anti-snap cylinders, which resist a common method of forced entry, in reinforced frames. Laminated or toughened glass panels add further protection. For extra peace of mind you can add a door chain, a viewer or a smart lock, which we can include in your quote.
Towns in South Glamorgan
Choose your town from the list to see how we price and plan a new front or back door in your part of South Glamorgan, including typical time on site.