Article Highlights
- Custom doors are built to fit non-standard openings, suit Perth’s climate, and offer greater design flexibility than off-the-shelf options, making them ideal for renovations and older homes.
- Aluminium doors dominate Perth’s market due to their durability in coastal conditions, low maintenance, and compatibility with large glass panels for indoor-outdoor living.
- Cost varies widely based on door type, size, materials, and glazing, with professional installation ensuring compliance with Australian Standards and long-term performance.
Custom doors give Perth homeowners more control over fit, style, security, and performance. They are especially useful when replacing an old door, renovating a non-standard opening, or improving the connection between indoor and outdoor living areas.
Choosing the right door is not always as simple as selecting a standard size from a catalogue. Many Perth homes have older openings, exposed external areas, or renovation layouts that need a more tailored solution.
Whether you are replacing old timber doors, upgrading sliding doors, adding bi-fold doors to an alfresco area, or choosing new entrance doors, this guide explains the main options and what to consider before starting your project.
What Is a Custom Door?
A custom door is made or configured to suit a specific opening, style, material preference, or functional need. Unlike standard doors, custom doors can be designed around your home’s measurements, layout, glazing, hardware, and finish.
You can customise:
- Size, width, and height
- Frame profile and colour
- Glass type
- Door hardware and locks
- Opening style
- Security screen compatibility
- Single, double, sliding, stacking, hinged, bi-fold, or French configurations
For Perth homes, custom doors are often used when a standard product will not suit the opening, climate exposure, or design intent.
At Perth Window & Door Replacement Company, we custom-build and fit aluminium doors to suit individual requirements, with options including bi-fold doors, sliding doors, front doors, and custom doors for residential and commercial properties.
When Should You Choose a Custom Door?
Custom doors are worth considering when a standard door will not provide the right fit, look, or performance. They are especially useful for renovations, older homes, coastal properties, and spaces where the door needs to seamlessly integrate with existing windows, flooring, or outdoor areas.
Common reasons homeowners choose custom doors include:
- Replacing an old door that no longer opens smoothly
- Upgrading old timber sliders to modern aluminium sliding doors
- Creating flexible living areas between the kitchen, living room, and alfresco
- Matching new doors to existing aluminium windows
- Improving security with stronger locks and screen options
- Improving insulation with better seals, Low-E glass, or double glazing
- Fitting a non-standard opening without major brickwork changes
- Adding more light without compromising privacy or protection
What Types of Custom Doors are Available?
The most common custom doors for Perth homes include sliding doors, bi-fold doors, stacking doors, hinged doors, entrance doors, French doors, and security doors. The right choice depends on your opening, available space, style, and how you want the door to function.
Custom front doors
Custom front doors improve street appeal, security, and the overall style of your entrance. They can be solid, glazed, or feature designs, with options for side lights, highlight windows, quality locks, and security screens.
Custom sliding doors
Custom sliding doors are practical for patios, alfresco areas, courtyards, and tight spaces. They save room because they do not need a swing arc and can feature large glass panels for natural light and outdoor views.
They can also be designed with flyscreens, security screens, different glass types, and wider openings.
Custom bi-fold doors
Bi-fold doors suit wide openings where you want to open the space fully. They are popular for open-plan living areas and alfresco entertaining because the panels fold back to create a seamless indoor-outdoor connection.
They require quality tracks, hardware, glazing, and professional installation to operate smoothly.
Custom stacking doors
Stacking doors sit between sliding and bi-fold doors. They slide open like standard sliding doors, but use multiple panels that stack neatly to one side.
They are a good option if you want a wider opening than a standard sliding door without choosing a full bi-fold system.
Custom hinged doors
Hinged doors are simple, strong, and versatile. They suit side entries, laundries, garages, and external access points.
French doors offer a more traditional style with two hinged panels that swing open. They can work well for character homes, patios, studies, and garden access, but need enough clearance for the swing arc.
Custom security doors
Custom security doors provide protection, ventilation, insect control, and visibility. They can be made for sliding, hinged, or double-door configurations and can be fitted with Invisi-Gard stainless steel mesh.
For coastal Perth suburbs like Cottesloe, Scarborough, and Fremantle, marine-grade stainless steel mesh and corrosion-resistant hardware are important considerations.
What Materials Are Used for Custom Doors?
Aluminium doors
Aluminium is a popular choice for external doors in Perth because it is durable, low maintenance, and well-suited to coastal conditions. Aluminium frames work well with large glass panels, making them ideal for sliding, stacking, and bi-fold doors.
Powder-coated finishes are available in a wide range of colours and can support clean lines for contemporary homes.
Composite and glass doors
Composite doors are designed for stability and can mimic the look of timber with improved weather resistance.
Glass doors maximise natural light and create a stronger connection with outdoor areas. Privacy and comfort can be managed with frosted, tinted, Low-E, or double glazing.
All external glazed doors must meet Australian Standard AS 2047-2014, which covers materials, testing, construction, installation, and glazing for windows and external glazed doors.
What Affects the Cost of a Custom Door?
The cost of custom doors depends on the size, material, glass, hardware, configuration, security options, and installation requirements. A simple hinged door will usually involve less custom work than a large bi-fold, stacking, or double-glazed sliding door system.
We know that cost is a significant factor when choosing new doors. That’s why we provide transparent and competitive pricing across our range, with door prices that suit different homes, styles, and budgets.
For a tailored quote, get in touch with our team. We’ll guide you through the process and help you choose the right doors for your budget.
Factors that influence the final quote include:
- Door size and configuration (single, double, sliding, stacking, bi-fold)
- Material (aluminium, glass, composite)
- Glazing type (single, double, Low-E, tinted, frosted)
- Frame system and profile
- Hardware and locks
- Powder-coat colour and finish
- Security screen additions
- Removal of old doors and disposal
- Structural changes or widening of openings
- Installation complexity and site access
- Compliance requirements (bushfire ratings, accessibility standards)
- Whether it’s a renovation, replacement, or new build
What Should Perth Homeowners Consider Before Choosing Custom Doors?
Heat and sunlight
Perth’s hot summers and strong afternoon sun can make western-facing doors uncomfortable. Large glass doors should be paired with solar-control glass, shading, or blinds. Low-E glass can reduce heat gain by up to 40 per cent, helping to keep your home cooler and reduce energy costs.
Coastal conditions
Aluminium is a strong choice for homes near the coast. High-grade powder-coat finishes and stainless steel hardware are designed to resist salt air corrosion. If you live within 10 kilometres of the coast, it’s worth discussing material and finish options with your installer.
Security
Strong locks, reinforced frames, and the option to add security screens are important considerations. Invisi-Gard security screens pass knife-shear, dynamic impact, and salt-spray tests, making them a reliable choice for Perth homes.
Indoor-outdoor living
Sliding, stacking, and bi-fold doors are well-suited to alfresco areas and open-plan Perth homes. They create a flexible living space that can be opened up for entertaining or closed off for climate control.
Bushfire-prone areas
Some properties in outer-peri-urban suburbs may need doors that meet Bushfire Attack Level (BAL) ratings under AS 3959. If your property is in a bushfire-prone area, check the requirements and discuss BAL-rated options with your supplier.
Compliance and installation
External glazed doors should be tested and installed correctly to meet Australian Standards. Professional installation ensures compliance, proper sealing, and long-term performance.
Custom Doors vs Standard Doors: Which Is Better?
| Option | Best for | Benefits | Limitations |
| Standard doors | Simple replacements | Often faster to source, lower upfront cost, readily available | Limited sizes, styles, glazing, and hardware options |
| Custom doors | Renovations, older homes, non-standard openings, premium upgrades | Better fit, more design control, tailored functionality, stronger integration with screens and hardware | Requires professional measuring, quoting, and installation |
How Do You Choose the Right Custom Door?
Start by thinking about the purpose of the door. Is it for security, ventilation, natural light, insulation, or connecting your home to an outdoor area?
Then consider:
- How the door should open
- What material suits the location
- What glass type you need
- Whether privacy or security is a priority
- Whether you need a screen
- How the finish will match your home
- Whether the opening needs structural changes
Match the finish to the rest of your home and get a professional quote. We’ll help you choose the right solution for your needs and budget.
Why Choose Perth Window & Door for Custom Doors?
Perth Window & Door has been servicing Perth for over 41 years, providing custom-made aluminium doors for renovations, replacements, and new builds.
Our Malaga showroom lets you see and touch products before you buy, and our team works closely with you from consultation through to installation and follow-up.
We offer a range of door types, including sliding, bi-fold, stacking, front, and security screen doors, all built to meet Australian Standards. We’ll help you choose the right door for your home and Perth’s climate. Give us a call on (08) 9249 2099 or visit our showroom to get started.
Frequently Asked Questions About Custom Doors
It depends on the door type, size, material, glazing, hardware, and installation requirements. A simple hinged door will cost less than a large bi-fold or stacking door system. We recommend getting a professional quote based on your specific needs.
Yes, usually. Custom doors offer a better fit, more design flexibility, and better suitability for non-standard openings. The extra cost reflects the tailored manufacturing and professional installation.
For many Perth homes, aluminium is a strong option because it's durable, low maintenance, and works well with large glass door systems. It also performs well in coastal conditions.
Yes. Custom doors are often ideal for older homes because existing openings may not suit standard sizes. Custom sizing avoids the need for costly brickwork alterations.
Usually not for a like-for-like replacement, but structural changes, bushfire requirements, strata rules, or heritage considerations may need extra checks. It's worth confirming with your local council.
Yes, especially when paired with the right frame, glass, seals, and installation. Low-E glass and double glazing can reduce heat gain and improve comfort.
