What Front Doors Are Best?

When it comes to front doors, you’ve got three main material choices: solid wood, uPVC, and composite front doors. It is also possible to get metal front doors, such as aluminium doors though it is more popular to see patio doors in this material rather than aluminium front doors.

Each of these door materials has plenty of benefits for use in a front door but they also have their drawbacks. Below are some things you should consider when choosing a front door material.

What Type of Door Insulates Best?

When it comes to front door materials, solid composite front doors will always offer the best insulation for your home. If the door design has any glass panels in it, these may weaken the thermal efficiency so it’s best to go for completely solid doors when insulation is your only priority.

If that is the case, a composite front door doesn’t have to be your only choice. Solid wood is naturally a fantastic insulator against heat and sound. This makes it a fantastic choice if you want a more traditional front door style without sacrificing its energy efficiency.

What Type of Exterior Door is Most Durable?

A wooden door and a composite front door are relatively equal when it comes to potential lifespan and durability. The main difference is that you must maintain a wooden door if you want it to enjoy a long and effective life. Alternatively, a composite door is virtually maintenance-free.

The glass-reinforced plastic surface of a composite door is tough. It won’t scratch, chip or crack with everyday use. It won’t absorb moisture either, so it is unlikely to swell or warp. While timber doors will need refinishing over time to keep their surface sealed against the elements, glass-reinforced plastic doesn’t.

Composite doors are also low maintenance in terms of cleaning. They have such a strong surface that dirt can’t work its way into them, as it might with wood. Unlike uPVC, composite doors won’t fade quickly when installed in direct sunlight either.

What is the Safest Type of Front Door?

In terms of safety and security, composite doors are a good choice although timber doors are also very secure. Neither door is likely to break under regular use if it is maintained correctly.

When it comes to door security, a solid door is always going to be the best option, but it does need to be paired with a multi-point locking system to keep your home fully secure. Make sure your lock either meets or exceeds current building regulations and keep your door frame well maintained for maximum security.

Front doors with glazed panels are a great way to improve the look of your home The glass panels will help fill your entrance hall with natural light – a major bonus for cramped or small hallways.

They won’t just improve the look of your entrance hall either. Glazed panels can add a decorative aspect to your front door and, in turn, to the look of your home’s exterior. You can even increase the decorative appeal further by using leaded, stained, or frosted glass.

However, some people worry that a glass front door will compromise the security and energy efficiency of their home.

To keep your home as secure as possible, it is a good idea to stay away from a fully glazed door. Even made from toughened or laminated glass, a glass door can pose a weak point compared to solid doors. This makes glazed external doors a bad idea for homes where the front is easily visible by passers-by.

However smaller panels made from treated glass can still hold up against impact, making them a safe and secure option for family homes who want the benefits of glazing without compromising the security of their home.

If you do decide to go for a glass door, you should make sure that you get double-glazed panels. Again, solid doors are a much more energy-efficient option, so if you are swapping out for a glass panel you need to make sure it won’t compromise the thermal efficiency of your home.

If you really want to save money on your heating bills, then a solid door with triple glazing is definitely the best door material choice.

Your front door forms a very important part of the kerb appeal of your home. Visible to every visitor and passerby, it could even be the most visually important door in your home. This can put even more pressure on finding the right new door.

Of course, visual appeal is a lot more subjective than the practical concerns around front door materials. Once you’ve picked a material, you’re likely to find a range of door styles and designs to choose from whether you’re looking at solid timber front doors or a composite door.

When it comes to colour, your choice of door material may restrict your colour choice. uPVC front doors in particular tend to have a very limited colour range.

However, composite front doors are available in a wide variety of colours giving you plenty of options to match your front door with your style.

Finally, if you like to experiment and change up the look of your front door frequently, timber doors can be repainted and updated to great effect. For more information on maintaining and updating wooden doors, take a look at our guide.

What Colour Door is in 2022?

When it comes to front door colours black and grey are eternally popular, although grey seems to have the edge in 2022.

These colours are elegant, subtle, and flexible. They contrast beautifully against red brick or white render and will suit a wide range of properties. A black front door is a particularly great choice for a period property or a town house, particularly for Georgian and Victorian-era homes. Black was a popular door choice during these periods, making it the perfect colour when you’re trying to achieve an authentic look for your home.

Should a Front Door be Lighter or Darker Than the House?

There are no set rules about what front doors should be like or how they should compare to the rest of your house. However, there is no denying that a bold contrast between the colour of your front door and your brickwork can be striking.

This means that if the frontage of your home is generally lighter, a dark dramatic door can really make a stylish visual statement. For the more adventurous, a splash of bold bright colour can be even more eye-catching.

Similarly, if you have a darker render or stone look to your home, then having a lighter pastel or white door can make a clean, bright contrast.

Should Your Front Door Match Your Windows?

If you want to create a cohesive look across the front of your property, then matching your new front door to your windows is an essential step. This can be particularly effective if you go for an unusual or eye-catching colour scheme across them.

However, many people will also find appeal in a light contrast between windows and doors, particularly if you have a versatile set of grey or white window frames. In this situation, your front door can be a great place to splash some extra colour without it being overwhelming.

What is the Most Popular Front Door Style?

Front doors with glazed panels are one of the most popular styles of front door, though this does include a very wide collection of designs.

For modern houses, many people prefer sleek smooth doors with small stacked or tall-but-narrow panes are very popular. They echo the understated architecture often seen in minimalist and modern houses. Glazing tends to be key with these homes as it helps increase the flow of light and the sense of size and space that these homes usually embrace.

With period or cottage style homes there is more flexibility towards solid designs, though glazed ones are still more common. This could be one small pane of glass in a cottage-style door or a half-glazed door with a multi-panel design for townhouses and terraces.

When it comes to picking a front door, the most suitable door will be one that meets your own needs.

If cost is your highest concern, then a high-quality uPVC door is a budget option that can provide enough insulation and security for the short term.

If looks are your main concern, then solid wood doors combine stunning style with impressive performance. They will keep your home secure, warm, and safe while providing enduring kerb appeal – but they will stretch your budget.

Composite front doors offer a fantastic compromise between the looks and performance of wooden doors and the lower cost of uPVC doors. They will also give you plenty of colour options and choices in door styles.