First impressions always count, starting with the perfect front door for your home.
If you’re looking to give your home a makeover, buying a new external door can give you an exciting opportunity to create a first impression that shows off your style.
Here at G&L Windows, our simple guide will give you all the advice you need to choose the right door for you.
Style
There are several styles and designs for front doors, including versions made from traditional materials such as wood, or modern composite or UPVC options.
The first thing to consider when choosing a new entrance door is what type and door style best suits your property and preferences. This will depend on the style of your home, such as a country cottage or a contemporary home, you need to combine the look of your home with the type of front door that performs well.
You can select different sizes of front door too or install a double door or a door with side lights for a statement entrance to your home.
Materials
Once you have chosen the style of your new front door, you will also need to decide on which material it should be made of. Usually, your budget will play a bit part in this decision.
UPVC – These styles of doors are a good choice in terms of low maintenance and come in a variety of designs with varying price points. UPVC doors also come fitted with the latest locking mechanisms. If you are looking for a minimalistic style, a UPVC door can be the perfect solutions as there are lots of choices these days as well as a variety of colour options.
The pros of UPVC doors are that they are low maintenance, have high thermal efficiency, secure and are low cost in comparison to other materials. However, the cons are that they can break down over time, are not as durable as other materials, the range of styles is limited, therefore making it less suitable for traditional properties.
Wooden – These types of doors are more traditional. They are a reliable and solid option for your front door. It is worth being mindful that alternative softwood products are not as strong or as long lasting as hardwood doors.
Wooden doors can be beautifully crafted with intricate details, but these types of doors are likely to be at the top end of your budget, however the benefits far outweigh the costs should you be able to afford them.
It is also worth noting that wooden doors do require regular maintenance to keep the wood in prime condition.
The pros of investing in a wooden door include them being versatile, easily repairable, solid and secure as well pleasing aesthetics.
There are some drawbacks to choosing a wooden door including high costs due to materials, choosing low quality can cause the door to be draughty and unsecure.
Composite – A composite door combines traditional styles of doors with added strength. This is done by blending glass-reinforced fibre with hard foam which is then reinforced with a steel or timber core.
The pros of choosing a composite door is that they are extremely secure, low maintenance, energy efficient and come in a wide variety of options and styles. The only real downside of a composite door is the cost but if your budget allows, this is a great choice.
Aluminium – More and more people are purchasing aluminium front doors because of its durability, moisture-resistance, and strength. It doesn’t require much maintenance and won’t rust.
Keep in mind that an aluminium front door is an excellent option if you look for the material with a long-lasting warranty.
The only major disadvantage of this material is the occurrence of ugly water stains. Plus, any damage to the surface layer will affect the aesthetic appearance of the door. They don’t have insulating properties and are not cheap.
Once you decide to purchase a new front door, feel free to get in touch with our experts about the best options available.
Our Bedford showroom is open Monday-Thursday 8am until 5pm should you wish to pop in and see our vast selection of front doors.
