Replacing your doors is an investment that can significantly enhance your home’s security, aesthetics, and thermal performance. However, with a variety of materials, styles, and features to consider, choosing the right door can feel overwhelming.
Choosing the right material
The door material significantly impacts your door’s durability, aesthetics, maintenance requirements, and security. Here’s a breakdown of popular choices:
UPVC: UPVC doors are known for their durability (they’re highly-resistant to the effects of weather and corrosion), low maintenance, and good energy efficiency. They’re also very affordable.
Composite: “Composite” refers to when a mix, or combination of materials is used in a door – for example, wood and UPVC. Composite doors look great and offer excellent weather resistance, security, and thermal insulation.
Solid core composite: For the ultimate in security and durability, consider a solid core composite door. These doors feature a strong, solid core typically made from engineered wood, sandwiched between two weatherproof composite skins. This creates a heavy, substantial door that offers exceptional soundproofing, thermal insulation, and resistance to forced entry.
Aluminium: Offering a sleek and modern look, aluminium doors are lightweight, strong, and weather-resistant. They are a good choice for contemporary homes and large entrances where maximum light is desired (the strength of aluminium allows larger glass panes to be used than is typical with, for example, UPVC doors).
Timber alternative (UPVC Engineered): Looking for the elegance of timber without the maintenance hassle? Timber alternative doors are a fantastic option. Crafted from high-quality UPVC, they utilise a special construction method with transoms (horizontal panels) and mullions (vertical sections) to achieve a realistic wood effect.
Front doors: These doors provide the main access point to your home and come in a variety of styles, including contemporary, traditional, and panelled. They may include features like a letterbox, or a doorbell.
Back doors: Usually this is the door leading into a garden or yard. Security is important, especially if your back garden is sheltered from neighbours. You may also need to consider things like whether the door will allow a dog or cat flap to be installed.
French doors: Featuring two hinged doors that open outwards, French doors create a sense of spaciousness and allow for ample natural light.
Patio doors: These sliding doors provide easy access to patios, decks, or balconies and maximise the view of your outdoor space.
Bifold doors: Ideal for larger openings, bifold doors fold neatly against the wall, creating a seamless connection between your indoor and outdoor living areas.
Understanding security
Security is paramount when choosing a door. Look for doors with features like:
- Multi-point locking systems: These systems distribute locking points across the frame for enhanced security.
- Reinforced cores: Reinforced cores: A strong core material like steel or composite provides additional protection against break-in attempts. For patio doors, anti-lift devices can further enhance security by preventing the door from being lifted off its tracks.
Energy efficiency
Just like windows, energy efficiency is a crucial factor when choosing doors. Doors with high energy ratings can help reduce your heating costs (and if you’re lucky enough to have air conditioning, your cooling costs). Consider:
- Energy rating systems: Energy rating systems: Doors, like windows, have energy ratings. A lower U-value or a higher WER indicates better thermal insulation. This means the door will help keep your home warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
- Draft exclusion: Look for doors with good draft seals to prevent heat loss and air leaks.
Maximising your investment
With proper care and maintenance, your new doors will continue to look beautiful and function flawlessly for many years. Here’s what to consider:
- Cleaning and maintenance: Learn the recommended cleaning procedures for different door materials to ensure they maintain their appearance.
- Maintaining warranty coverage: Proper maintenance is often a requirement for maintaining warranty benefits.
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