Composite Door Side Panels

The best of modern front doors, composite doors offer a superior quality and attractive appearance to homes at a great value. Online suppliers, such as the Composite Door Shop, offer the ability to order side panels at the same time as a composite door.

Side panels are the panels around the front door. These panels are often glazed. Each panel has an individual name - full length side panels, half-length flag windows and top lights are the windows that run along the top of the door and/or side panel.
Side panels are especially good in situations where there is little light passing in to the hall. For those worried about privacy, but not wishing to hang net curtains, there are two choices - either only to get top lights, allowing light through the top windows, out of reach of peepers, or to choose side panels with an obscure glass backing.
Obscure glass backings is where the internal glass panel of double glazing is etched with a pattern which obscures the view. Different patterns offer different amounts of obscuration, so you can choose how much privacy is offered by the glass. This way, you can have a light and airy hallway with a smart front door, stylish side panels and as much privacy as you like.

If standard glazed side panels aren't to your liking, you can order composite side panels instead. These full length side panels can be placed on either side, or both sides, of the composite door and can be coupled with top light windows if preferred. Composite side panels can come as solid or glazed, to match your composite door. The colour, style and glazing used are all suited.

When replacing a front door, it is best to order side panels at the same time, to ensure a good fit and contrast.

Front Door Colours

New Front Door Styles

Choosing a new front door can be very stressful. There is so much to consider: the function of the door, the security of the door, the safety of the door, the size of the door, the energy efficiency of the door, the cost of the door, the longevity of the door, the maintenance required by the door, the colour of the door and the overall look of your entrance.

So you've found a door that meets your practical and security needs, but then you discover it only comes in 2 styles - both of which you dislike, and the colour choice is even worse. To avoid reaching this point, I suggest starting your front door search by looking at composite doors. Likely to meet your every need in security, practicality and cost, the door comes in a total of 14 designs and 7 colours. With this range of choice, you may find you don't need to look any further!

The 14 different designs are split amongst 7 different styles: Westminster, Kensignton, Chigwell, Dalston, Mayfair, Trafalgar and Finsbury. The styles range from simple and classic to more intricate and modern designs. If you prefer the minimalistic and traditional look then the Kensington would be suited for you. The four-panel design comes with or without glazing. The Westminster is a smart and elegant 6 panel door, available in 2 different glazing options or solid. The Chigwell and Dalston are fancier variations of the four panel Kensington. The Trafalgar has a large window, ideal as a back door or for where the hallway is dark. The Finsbury composite door is very similar to the Trafalgar, with one large window that is rounded. Lastly, the Mayfair is an exquisite design offering 3 different glazing designs.

Each glazing design comes with a number of glass patterns, as well as privacy and security options.

For more information on front door security, I highly recommend checking out the Front Door Blog's Security Series - covering doors, hinges, glasses, hardware and more.