Aluminium Doors South London & Surrey
Glitz Windows & Doors design, supply and fit aluminium doors for homeowners across South London and Surrey — from slim bifolds that open up a kitchen extension to secure, weathertight front doors for a period terrace. If you want a door that looks sharp, lets in more light, and is still doing its job in thirty years, this is what you need to know before you buy.
Aluminium Doors for Homes
We’ve been fitting doors and windows across South London and Surrey for more than 25 years, and aluminium doors are, by some distance, what most homeowners end up choosing once they’ve compared the options. They’re stronger than uPVC doors, slimmer-framed than timber, and hold up properly against the kind of damp, changeable weather this part of the country gets a lot of.
Whether you’re after bifold doors to open a kitchen straight onto the garden, a new front door with a bit more security, or sliding doors for a modern extension, we design and install every set of aluminium doors around your actual property — not a one-size-fits-all package. A Victorian semi in Surrey and a new-build flat in Croydon don’t need the same door, and we’ll tell you honestly which style and spec genuinely suits yours.
What Are Aluminium Doors?
Aluminium doors are built from extruded aluminium frames rather than uPVC or timber. The metal is powder-coated or anodised for a durable, factory-applied finish, then fitted with double or triple glazing depending on the door style and what you need from it.
Most modern aluminium door systems are “thermally broken” — a polyamide strip sits inside the frame to stop heat and cold conducting straight through the metal. This is the bit of engineering that makes today’s aluminium doors genuinely warm to live with, unlike older uninsulated aluminium frames from decades ago, which had a fair reputation for being cold.
Because aluminium is strong relative to its weight, door frames can be made noticeably slimmer than uPVC or timber equivalents while still supporting large panes of glass and wide openings — which is exactly why aluminium has become the standard material for bifold and sliding door systems in particular.
Benefits of
Aluminium Doors
Slim Sightlines & More Natural Light
Because aluminium door frames can be built slimmer than uPVC or timber without losing structural strength, you get more glass and less frame in the same opening. That means more daylight into the room and a cleaner, more contemporary look — particularly noticeable on bifold and sliding doors, where sightlines matter most.
Strong Frames for Wide Openings
Aluminium’s strength-to-weight ratio is what allows aluminium doors to span wide openings — think multi-panel bifolds across a rear extension without the frame needing to be bulked up to compensate. The material holds its shape well and isn’t prone to sagging or dropping at the hinges the way some other materials can be over time.
Energy-Efficient Performance
Paired with a thermally broken frame and good-quality double or triple glazing, aluminium doors can achieve strong U-values and help reduce heat loss through what’s often one of the largest openings in the house. Actual performance depends on the glazing spec and how well the door is installed, so it’s worth talking through the numbers for your specific project rather than assuming one figure applies to everything.
Enhanced Security
Aluminium doors typically come with multi-point locking as standard, and the rigidity of the frame itself is genuinely harder to force than older timber or basic uPVC. For bifold and sliding systems especially — which have more moving parts and more potential locking points — we make sure the hardware specification matches the level of security you actually need.
Low Maintenance
There’s no painting, sanding or re-varnishing involved. Aluminium doors generally just need an occasional wipe-down with warm water and a mild detergent, plus a bit of attention to tracks and hinges on moving parts, to keep everything looking and working as it should.
Sustainability & Recyclability
Aluminium can be recycled repeatedly without any real loss of quality, and a good proportion of the aluminium used in door systems today is already recycled material. If you’re thinking about the long-term environmental impact of a big-ticket home improvement, aluminium compares well against most alternatives.
Aluminium Door Styles We Offer
Aluminium bifold doors fold back concertina-style to open up an entire wall, making them the go-to choice for kitchen extensions and open-plan living spaces that need to connect properly with the garden. Slim sightlines mean more glass and a cleaner look even with multiple panels.
Where a full bifold isn’t needed or the opening doesn’t suit one, aluminium patio doors offer a simpler large-glass option — usually sliding or occasionally French-style that still brings in plenty of light without the cost or complexity of a multi-panel bifold system.
Aluminium French doors open outward (or inward) on hinges from a central point, giving a traditional look that suits period and character properties particularly well, while still offering the strength and slim frames aluminium is known for.
Front and Back Doors
A well-specified aluminium front door gives you a strong first line of security along with a clean, modern appearance, and can be finished in almost any colour to match your property. Back doors follow the same principles, usually prioritising practicality and weather resistance for everyday use.
Sliding Doors
Aluminium sliding doors run horizontally on a track rather than swinging open, which makes them a space-efficient option for smaller gardens, balconies, or rooms where a bifold or French door would eat into usable floor space.
Aluminium Doors for Different Properties
Period & Character Homes
For Victorian, Edwardian and Georgian homes across South London and Surrey, aluminium doors. French doors especially offer slim, sympathetic frames that respect period proportions while adding modern security and thermal performance.
Modern New-Builds
New-builds and contemporary extensions tend to suit bifold or sliding aluminium doors in anthracite grey, black, or a bespoke RAL colour, maximising glass and matching the clean lines of current architectural trends.
Extensions, Orangeries & Conservatories
This is where aluminium doors genuinely earn their keep. Wide bifold or sliding configurations let you open an entire wall of a rear extension or orangery onto the garden, and the slim sightlines keep the glazed area feeling as open as possible.
Flats & Apartments
For flats and apartments, aluminium doors particularly for balconies or smaller patio openings — offer a practical, secure, low-maintenance option that doesn't need the upkeep a timber-framed door would.
Commercial Properties
Commercial aluminium doors are widely specified for offices, shopfronts and mixed-use buildings thanks to their strength, durability, low maintenance, and the more professional appearance a slim aluminium frame gives compared with uPVC.
Choosing the Right Aluminium Doors
Bifold Doors or Sliding Doors
Bifolds give you a fully open wall when you want it, folding back completely to one or both sides — ideal if you want the option to remove the barrier between inside and outside entirely. Sliding doors keep a larger uninterrupted pane of glass when closed and take up less floor space when open, which can suit smaller gardens or narrower openings better than a multi-panel bifold.
Double or Triple Glazing
Double glazing is the standard specification for most aluminium doors and performs well for the vast majority of UK homes. Triple glazing offers a further improvement in thermal performance and noise reduction, but adds cost and weight — usually only worth it for particularly exposed properties or where noise is a specific concern.
Choosing the Right Colour
Aluminium doors are available in an extremely wide range of RAL colours and finishes, including popular options like anthracite grey and black, as well as dual-colour finishes (a different colour inside and out). It's worth thinking about how the colour will sit against your brickwork, windows, and roofline before committing.
Choosing Handles & Hardware
Handle style and finish affects both the look and the day-to-day usability of the door — lever handles, pull handles for bifolds, and finishes like matt black, chrome or brushed steel all read quite differently against an aluminium frame. Security-rated hardware is worth specifying on any door that's a potential entry point.
Do You Need a Low Threshold
A low or level threshold makes a door easier to use for pushchairs, wheelchairs, or anyone with mobility needs, and gives a cleaner transition between inside and outside flooring. It's worth flagging early, since it can affect the door's weather performance and needs to be planned into the installation rather than added afterwards.
How to Maintain Aluminium Doors
Cleaning Aluminium Door Frames
Warm water and a mild, non-abrasive detergent on a soft cloth is generally all aluminium door frames need every couple of months. Avoid abrasive pads, solvents, or harsh chemical cleaners, which can damage the powder-coated or anodised finish over time.
Cleaning Bifold & Sliding Door Tracks
Bifold and sliding doors have more moving parts than a standard hinged door, so the tracks need a bit more attention. Clear out dust, grit and debris regularly, since a gritty track is one of the most common reasons a bifold or slider starts to feel stiff or catch when opening.
Checking Seals, Hinges & Handles
Check rubber seals and weatherstripping once or twice a year for wear, and lubricate hinges, rollers and locking mechanisms with a light, non-acidic oil to keep everything moving smoothly. If a handle feels stiff, don't force it — get it looked at before it causes further damage.
When to Arrange Repairs
If you notice draughts, water ingress, difficulty locking, or condensation building up between the panes of glass, it's worth getting it checked sooner rather than later. These are usually early signs of a worn seal, failed sealed unit, or hardware that needs adjusting — all straightforward to fix if caught early.
Aluminium Door Costs in South London & Surrey
Based on current UK cost guides, aluminium bifold doors typically cost somewhere between £3,000 and £7,500 supplied and fitted, depending on the number of panels, opening width and glazing specification. Aluminium sliding and patio doors tend to sit a bit lower, generally in the region of £1,500–£4,500 fully fitted, while French doors and standard front or back doors are usually somewhere between £1,200 and £3,000 depending on size and finish.
These are general market guide figures rather than a quote for your property — opening size, structural work, access and specification all affect the final price, so the only way to get a number that actually means something is a free survey.
Why Choose Glitz Windows for Aluminium Doors?
FENSA Registered & Fully Insured
Every aluminium door we install is certified through FENSA, giving you full building regulations compliance and the documentation to prove it when you come to sell.
A-Rated Energy Efficiency
We specify A-rated aluminium door systems with a glazing spec suited to your property, rather than defaulting to the same package for every job regardless of what the house actually needs.
10-Year Guarantee
Every installation comes with a comprehensive 10-year guarantee covering both the aluminium door frames and our own workmanship.
25+ Years' Local Experience
Over 25 years fitting doors and windows across South London and Surrey means we know the local property types, the planning quirks, and the conservation area requirements that a national call-centre installer generally won't.
What Our Customers Says About Us
Dedicated Residential & Commercial Aluminium Doors
Whether it’s a family home or a commercial unit, aluminium doors need different specs. For homes, we focus on bifold and sliding doors for extensions, French doors for period properties, and secure front doors matched to the house. For offices, shopfronts and mixed-use buildings, we specify frames built for heavier daily use, wider spans and higher security. Every installation — residential or commercial — is FENSA registered and backed by our 10-year guarantee.
Aluminium Doors - FAQs
How Long Do Aluminium Doors Take to Install?
Most standard aluminium doors — a front door, a set of French doors, or a straightforward patio door — can be fitted in half a day to a full day. Larger bifold installations, especially where a wider opening needs to be formed or structural work is involved, typically take one to three days depending on the scope of the job.
Are Aluminium Doors Better Than uPVC Doors?
It depends what matters most to you. Aluminium doors generally offer slimmer frames, larger glass areas, and a more contemporary look, while uPVC doors usually cost less upfront. For wide openings, bifolds, or anywhere sightlines and glass area matter, aluminium is usually the better fit; for a straightforward budget-conscious replacement, uPVC can still make sense.
Are Aluminium Doors Secure?
Yes, when specified properly. Aluminium doors typically include multi-point locking systems as standard, and the strength of the frame itself is a genuine deterrent against forced entry. We can also specify toughened or laminated glass and higher-security hardware for doors that need it.
How Long Do Aluminium Doors Last?
Well-installed aluminium doors commonly last 30–40 years or more, thanks to the material’s resistance to warping, rotting and corrosion. Moving parts like rollers, hinges and seals may need occasional replacement over that time, but the frame itself is genuinely long-lasting.
Do Aluminium Doors Need Planning Permission?
In most cases, replacing an existing door with an aluminium door of the same size falls under permitted development and doesn’t need planning permission. However, listed buildings, conservation areas, and anywhere you’re forming a new or significantly larger opening may have specific requirements — it’s worth checking before ordering, and we can advise based on your property.
Can Aluminium Doors Be Painted a Different Colour?
Aluminium doors are usually finished at the factory with powder coating or anodising rather than painted afterwards, which gives a far more durable result than standard paint. Some frames can be professionally resprayed later if you want to change the colour, but it’s best to choose your finish before the doors are manufactured.
Do Aluminium Doors Come with a Guarantee?
Yes, every aluminium door we install comes with a 10-year guarantee covering both the door itself and our workmanship, giving you long-term peace of mind on what’s usually a significant investment in your home.
What Do We Offer
Double glazing
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Windows and Doors
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DOORS
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Transform your home or business with sleek, modern bifold doors from GLITZ Windows & Conservatories Ltd, your trusted specialists in Croydon. Our high-quality bifold door
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Make Appointment
Get a free quote with no obligation - Contact us now
Have a unique idea or specific requirements? Our team specialises in tailored window and door solutions to suit your vision—built to exact specifications and installed with precision.
- 53 Chipstead Valley Rd, Coulsdon CR5 2RB
- info@glitzwindows.co.uk
- 020 3370 7955
- Mon-Fri 08:00 - 17:00
Make Appointment
Get a free quote with no obligation - Contact us now
Have a unique idea or specific requirements? Our team specialises in tailored window and door solutions to suit your vision—built to exact specifications and installed with precision.
- 53 Chipstead Valley Rd, Coulsdon CR5 2RB
- info@glitzwindows.co.uk
- 020 3370 7955
- Mon-Fri 08:00 - 17:00
Our Process
Four Steps to Order Door for Your Home
