Pete’s Perspective
For more than 35 years, our Managing Director, Peter Wheeler, has been totally committed to searching out new and better ways for improving our customers’ homes.
Here, every month he shares his learning and insights, along with new ideas and top tips.
Composite Doors & uPVC Doors Explained
One of the biggest misconceptions in our industry is that we have doors sitting in a warehouse ready to go — and once you place an order, we simply pick one off the shelf and install it.
This couldn’t be further from the truth.
Every home is different. Over the years, properties have been built with a wide range of door sizes, styles, and structural openings. Because of this, every door we install has to be made to measure, specifically manufactured to suit your property and your personal choices.
Add to that the huge increase in choice over the last 20 years — colours, finishes, glass designs, hardware options — and it’s no surprise that answering the simplest question we get asked has become so complex:
“How much is a new door?”
From a customer point of view, having a clear and honest guide is incredibly helpful. So, this blog is designed to give you a realistic starting point — from standard white doors through to premium designs with colour, glass, and feature hardware. All our door ranges include a FREE aluminium low threshold (no trip hazards or broken uPVC frames).
Composite Door Ranges
Balmoral Composite Door Range
Our most popular range, offering exceptional value with a number of upgrades included as standard:
Price guide: £1,800 – £3,900
- FREE solid timber core upgrade
- FREE smart sensors
- FREE architectural furniture
- Triple glazed units as standard
Meridian Composite Doors
A premium, high-performance door:
Price guide: £2,450 – £4,750
- Double rebated 65mm triple-glazed Door sash
- Outstanding energy efficiency (U-values as low as 0.85)
- Traditional and modern styles available
- Looks like aluminium… but at around half the price
uPVC Door Ranges
Suffolk Period Doors (uPVC)
Designed to perfectly replicate traditional and heritage-style doors:
Price guide: £2,250 – £3,950
- Stunning coloured leaded glass designs
- Ideal for period properties
- Free upgrade to concealed hinges (no bulky visible hinges)
Windsor uPVC Doors
High-quality profiles with some of the best glass options available:
Single doors: £1,400 – £2,300
French doors: £2,500 – £4,300
- Eco-Max high recycled content glass as standard
- Laminated Eco-Max for enhanced security
- Triple28 Eco-Max Triple Glazing (latest energy-saving glass, down to 0.8 U-value)
- Free upgrades to Sweet 2-star high-security handles
- Furniture has a Coastal finish with 10-year guarantee
- Latest Optional concealed Door hinges
uPVC Sliding Patio Doors
Modern uPVC sliding doors have come a long way:
Price guide: £2,350 – £3,700
- Smooth operation comparable to aluminium systems
- Low threshold options available
- Sweet 2-star high-security coastal handles included
- Ideal for opening up your home in the summer months
VAT included in all prices
What Affects the Cost of a New Door?
When pricing a new front or back door, several factors will influence the final cost:
- Door size and structural opening
- Choice of material (composite vs uPVC)
- Colour, finishes, and foils
- Glass design and glazing specification
- Security upgrades and smart technology
Door furniture and finishing touches also play a key role in pricing, including:
- Handles and handle styles (standard vs architectural finishes)
- Letterboxes (colour-matched, brushed steel, or premium designs)
- Door knockers and centre knobs
- Hinges (standard vs concealed hinges for a cleaner look)
- Locks and upgraded high-security cylinders
These details may seem small, but they can significantly influence both the final price and the overall appearance of your door. This is why no two door quotes are ever exactly the same.
What is included?
When you buy a door from SEHBAC, you get the following:
- Supply and fitting by our expert installers
- Old products removed and recycled
- Aluminium low threshold as standard
- All prices quoted include VAT
- 10 year guarantee
Why Seeing Before You Buy Matters
With so many options now available, choosing the right door isn’t just about price — it’s about style, security, energy efficiency, and how it looks on your home.
While online guides like this are a great starting point, they can only go so far.
The best way to choose your perfect door is to see, touch, and compare the products in person.
At SEHBAC and FineLine, we have 10 showrooms across Essex, Suffolk, Hertfordshire, Kent and the surrounding regions, where you can:
- See full-size composite and uPVC doors on display
- Compare colours, finishes, and glass designs in real lighting
- Test handles, locks, and overall build quality
- Get expert advice tailored to your home
- Receive a fully accurate, no-obligation quote
There’s simply no substitute for experiencing the difference first-hand — especially when making an investment in your home.
Final Thoughts
Visit your nearest SEHBAC or FineLine showroom today and design your perfect door with confidence.
We hope this has helped bring a bit of clarity to what can often feel like the “holy grail” of pricing in our industry.
👉 Keep an eye out for Edition No.2, where we’ll be covering aluminium products.
We look forward to welcoming you into one of our showrooms soon.
Visit your nearest SEHBAC showroom and speak to our friendly team today.
