The True Cost of Front Doors

Composite doors are not the cheapest doors on the market. They are often marketed as being the best value for money, this is not a lie however. When you are making any large purchase, you should consider the real value of what you are buying. You may have heard of the term 'false economy'. This is a common occurrence - you buy something that is cheap and it lasts barely any time at all or has significant faults, making it more expensive to sort out or replace than if you had just spent a bit more and gotten something of quality in the first place.
So what factors should you consider when it comes to front doors?

1. Lifespan - this is probably the most obvious consideration when it comes to deciding the true value. If the more expensive door has a considerably longer lifespan than the cheaper door, it is probably a better investment and overall better value.
2. Hardware - it is important to check the quality of the hinges, locks and other hardware components. Cheap hardware can not only lead to problems with the functioning of the door and require replacements, but if the hardware breaks it can sometimes cause damage to the door itself.
3. Energy efficiency - an external door with low energy efficiency can cause your energy bills to be significantly higher. It is important to get a front door that will not be affected by heat changes. Cheap doors will often warp, shrink or expand which cause gaps that let the heat out.
4. Maintenance - All front doors require maintaining throughout their lifespan to ensure they stay operating at their best. Some doors, like composite doors, require just an oiling to the hinges. This works out to be relatively cheap. Other doors, such as wooden doors, require the hinges to be oiled also, but for the surface to be sanded and repainted or varnished periodically. uPVC doors require a special cleaner to ensure the surface remains clean.

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.

Composite Door Style

Composite doors come in seven designs. Almost all of these designs have several variations of glazing and panels, for you to choose the level of privacy and light allowance that suits you and your home. Further customizations can be made by choosing from a large range of door glass designs. These glasses come in simple designs or more intricate stylish designs. If you choose a door with a large central window, you may prefer to choose a backing of obscure glass to give you more privacy. Again, there are a number of options to choose from - each one providing a different look and a different level of privacy.

Make sure you choose a door shop that offers you a full range of options, so you can get the door that suits your needs perfectly.

What are composite doors?
Composite door security

What are Composite Doors?

For those of you not in the industry, the key question you probably have whenever you see or hear a composite door mentioned is what actually is a composite door?

Basically, a composite door is a door made from a combination of different materials instead of a singular material, such as wood or uPVC. The materials remain separate in the finished door and are chosen for their qualities. Being able to combine several different materials with beneficial properties results in the ability to create a door superior to doors of the past. The flaws of wooden and uPVC doors are taken in to consideration and improved upon in this modern door.

Composite doors are used in entrances of homes, both as front doors and back doors.