I would start this process by talking to PolarGlaze in Cottenham and see what they recommend. IME several times now over two different houses, no pushy sales people and perfectly reasonable prices, and they are happy to go through different options and discuss pros and cons.
Two options come to mind. A wooden panelled door (maybe with a pane of security glass), or something metal-framed as sold by double-glazers. The former is much cheaper - particularly if the frame is in good nick and doesn't need to be changed - and can be done by any old builder (or even DIY if you're up to the challenge). The latter has the ability to look much cleaner and may be more secure out of the box (I'm thinking of those fancy multi-bolt locking systems, though you also have options with a trad wooden frame).
FWIW we were just quoted NZ$3k to replace a wooden patio door+window combination with an aluminium framed double glazed sliding door unit, I'd expect it to be more in Blighty.
A colleague of mine had just been getting quotes for this (he needs a rotted door frame removing and replacing as well). He's after a collection-of-letters door (not UPVC, but, err, something my brain could misfile as RPG).
Initial quotes seem to be in the £2K region for supplying and fitting; I think he's hoping for lower.
Correction (to almost everything): the £2K quote was for replacing both front and back doors (and frames, and putting in 5-point locks). Today's quote was £1790. (He seemed very impressed with today's quoter, but since it's a local firm in Reading, not much use to you I imagine.)
RPG doors are in fact GRP doors (a form of composite, Glass-Reinforced PolySomething). They're more wood-looking than uPVC, but better-insulated than wood.
I've just had a uPVC front door and side panel, both half-glazed, installed by GAP, whom I'd previously used for some windows and back door. They charged something in the region of £750 though I got a hefty discount by getting the patio doors done at the same time so it's hard to prise apart the two prices.
Ramsey Glass came in a hundred quid cheaper and also have a good reputation. But I'd already used G&P, so decided to use them again. Also, you might be outside Ramsey Glass's catchment area.
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ewx
(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-11 09:15 pm (UTC)(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-12 06:09 am (UTC)FWIW we were just quoted NZ$3k to replace a wooden patio door+window combination with an aluminium framed double glazed sliding door unit, I'd expect it to be more in Blighty.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-12 09:22 am (UTC)Initial quotes seem to be in the £2K region for supplying and fitting; I think he's hoping for lower.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-12 01:53 pm (UTC)RPG doors are in fact GRP doors (a form of composite, Glass-Reinforced PolySomething). They're more wood-looking than uPVC, but better-insulated than wood.
(no subject)
Date: 2013-02-12 02:25 pm (UTC)Ramsey Glass came in a hundred quid cheaper and also have a good reputation. But I'd already used G&P, so decided to use them again. Also, you might be outside Ramsey Glass's catchment area.