A front door is handled several times a day for twenty years or more. It has to keep the weather out, keep the house secure and make the right first impression. It pays to choose carefully.
The three materials
| Composite | uPVC | Aluminium | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Construction | Solid timber core with a moulded woodgrain skin | Reinforced uPVC frame with glass or an insulated panel | Steel-reinforced leaf in an aluminium frame |
| Look | Painted timber, traditional or modern | Clean and simple | Flush, minimal, architectural |
| Insulation | Very good (1.4 W/m²K) | Good | Outstanding (from 0.77 W/m²K) |
| Colours | 18, with dual colour | 8, with dual colour | 18 finishes |
| Best for | Most front doors | Back and side doors, tighter budgets | Contemporary homes and wide entrances |
Security, decoded
- PAS 24 is the British standard for enhanced security doors and windows. A PAS 24 door has been tested as a complete set, with its frame, lock and glass, against a programme of manual attacks.
- Secured by Design is the police-backed scheme that recognises products meeting standards such as PAS 24.
- A 3-star cylinder (TS 007) resists snapping, drilling, picking and bumping. Cylinder snapping is the most common method of forced entry through a door, so this matters.
- Multi-point locking secures the door at several points along its height. Automatic versions engage as the door closes, so it is never left on the latch alone.
Glass and light
A dark hallway is transformed by glass in or beside the door. If you want privacy, choose obscure or decorative glass rather than a solid door, or add a side panel or top light. All glazing in and beside doors is toughened or laminated safety glass.
Colour
Look at the fixed colours of the house first: brick, stone, roof and window frames. Strong colours such as navy, deep red and racing green suit red brick and period fronts. Greys and black suit render and modern brick. Soft greens and blues suit stone. If in doubt, a dual-colour door lets you be bold outside and keep the hallway light.
Details worth getting right
- Threshold: a low threshold makes life easier for pushchairs, wheelchairs and tired feet
- Handle: a lever handle is easiest to use; a long pull bar looks sharp on a modern door and works with an automatic lock
- Letterplate: consider a wall-mounted postbox if you want the best insulation and security
- Hinge side and swing: think about where coats, radiators and the stairs are
- Smart access: sensors and smart cylinders can tell you the door is locked, or let someone in remotely
