Replacing sliding wardrobe doors typically costs less than most people expect, because in many cases the track and the surrounding frame can stay exactly where they are. The main variables are the number of panels, the panel material, whether the existing track can be reused and whether you fit them yourself or bring someone in. A straightforward two panel swap using the existing track sits at the lower end, while a made to measure set in mirrored or coloured glass with a new track system sits considerably higher.
Rather than quoting figures that go out of date, this guide explains what actually drives the cost so you can judge a quotation properly and work out where your own project is likely to land. Understanding the cost structure is far more useful than a single number, particularly when two quotations for the same opening can differ by a wide margin for reasons that are not obvious.
Four elements make up the total. The panels themselves are the largest share. The track system is the next, and it is only needed if the existing one is worn, the wrong depth or rated below the weight of your new doors. Then there is the hardware, meaning rollers, guides, anti jump devices and soft close mechanisms. Finally there is labour if you are not fitting the doors yourself.
Standard sized panels cost noticeably less than made to measure. If your opening happens to suit a stock width, you are buying a manufactured item rather than a bespoke one, and that single factor tends to be the biggest saving available on the whole job.
Material is the clearest cost lever, and the ranking is fairly consistent.
Plain melamine faced panels in white or a wood effect are the most economical, and in a modern scheme they can look entirely appropriate. Matt and textured finishes cost a little more but hide fingerprints far better, which matters on a surface that gets pushed several times a day.
Mirrored panels sit in the middle to upper range, and the price rises with the mirror size because larger sheets need thicker glass and heavier duty rollers. Coloured or lacquered glass sits higher again, since it is a specialist finish. Solid timber and veneered panels vary widely depending on the species and whether they are framed.
Weight matters as much as cost. A mirrored panel can be substantially heavier than a melamine one of the same size, so a track rated for lighter doors will not simply run less smoothly with heavier panels: it will wear out. If you are moving from timber to mirrored panels, budget for the track and rollers as well.
Reusing the track is the single biggest saving, so it is worth checking properly. Slide the existing doors fully in both directions and listen. Smooth, quiet running with no juddering suggests the channel is in good condition. Then look into the bottom track for wear grooves and check whether the aluminium has any twist or dents along its length.
Measure the channel depth and width, because replacement panels must match. Systems are not interchangeable, and a panel edge that is 2mm too thick will not sit in the channel at all. Note the door thickness on your existing panels as well: 10mm, 16mm and 18mm are all common, and the new panels need to suit both the channel and the rollers.
If your doors run on a top hung system rather than a bottom rolling one, replacement is usually more constrained, since the hanging brackets are specific to the panel construction.
Swapping panels into an existing track is genuinely achievable for a competent DIY approach. You lift the old panels out, clean the channels, lower the new panels in and adjust the rollers. The main risk is handling: mirrored panels are heavy, awkward and unforgiving if a corner catches a door frame.
Bring someone in when the track needs replacing, when the opening is out of square enough to need scribed fillers, when the panels are full height and heavy, or when the frame around the opening needs rebuilding. Labour is charged either by the hour or as a fixed price per opening, and a fitter will normally include removing and disposing of the old panels.
Disposal is the first. Mirrored and glass panels cannot go in a household bin, and many local recycling centres charge for plate glass or require it to be booked in.
The second is making good. Old panels sometimes hide marks, unpainted patches or damaged plaster at the edges of the opening. Once new doors go in, that edge is visible, so allow for filler, paint or a slim edging strip.
The third is the internal fit out. A door replacement often prompts a look inside, and adding a second rail, shelving or drawers to the interior adds cost that has nothing to do with the doors themselves. If the interior is the real problem, replacing the whole unit can work out more sensible than doors alone, and our range of modern sliding wardrobes UK sale includes complete units with planned interiors.
Doors only make sense when the carcass and the opening are sound, the internal layout works and you like the position of the wardrobe. If the carcass has racked, the frame is loose or the depth is too shallow for hangers to sit square, new doors will look better on a unit that still does not work well.
Freestanding units also give you flexibility a fitted run does not. They move with you, they need no drilling into ceilings and they can be repositioned when a room changes use. Our wardrobes UK sale collection covers both hinged and sliding designs across a range of sizes and finishes, and for smaller rooms the modern 2 door wardrobes UK group is worth a look before committing to bespoke panels.
Ask for the quotation to be itemised: panels, track, rollers and hardware, labour, disposal, making good. Two quotations that look far apart often differ only because one includes the track and the other assumes reuse.
Confirm the panel thickness, the mirror thickness where relevant, whether soft close is included and how many days the doors take to arrive. Made to measure panels are manufactured to order, so lead time is part of the decision if the wardrobe is in daily use.
Finally, confirm who takes the measurements. If the supplier measures, the fit is their responsibility. If you measure and supply figures, it is yours, so measure the opening width and height in three places each and give the smallest of each.
Adding soft close to the leading edge is a modest cost and makes a noticeable difference to how the wardrobe feels. Replacing the rollers at the same time as the panels is cheap insurance, since worn rollers are the usual cause of juddering. A brush strip along the bottom edge keeps dust out of the channel.
If one panel will be mirrored, consider which side it sits on. A mirror facing a window reflects daylight into the room and makes a narrow bedroom feel wider, whereas a mirror facing a dark wall gains you far less. Where a mirrored panel does not suit the scheme, a separate piece from our bedroom mirrors UK sale range achieves the same effect with more flexibility. You can see the full bedroom collection at Furniture in Fashion.
Often yes, provided the track is undamaged, runs smoothly and matches the thickness of the new panels. Check the channel depth and the door thickness before ordering, since systems are not interchangeable.
Generally yes, and they are also heavier. The additional weight can mean stronger rollers or a higher rated track, so factor that in rather than comparing panel prices alone.
Swapping panels into an existing track takes around an hour or two for a two door opening. Replacing the track as well adds roughly half a day, plus time for any making good around the frame.
Doors alone are usually the lower cost option if the carcass is sound. Once the frame, depth or internal layout is also failing, a complete unit tends to give the better outcome for the money.
Yes, made to measure panels are standard practice for alcoves and sloping ceilings. Expect a longer lead time and a higher cost than stock sizes, and have the supplier take the measurements where possible.
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