If you are considering new doors for the entrance of your home you will want to know what options are available.
The type of door you fit will generally be determined by where the door is fitted in your home. A typical home will consist of a number of doors that lead directly from the exterior to the interior of the property and these are:
- Front and Rear doors
- Store or boiler room doors
- Garage door
- Patio doors
- Exterior French doors
- Sliding doors
Depending on the type of exterior doors you want, there will be a choice from a material and construction point of view.
For the purposes of this article we will concentrate on the main entrance doors.
Front and Rear Doors
Exterior front doors are considered one of the focal points on the front elevation of the home that will set the tone for the remainder of the house. It’s therefore important to give the right impression when visitors call.
The materials used in the manufacturer of these doors include:
- Wood
- Steel
- Composite
- PVC
- Aluminium
Wood exterior doors have been the traditional choice for many years. This versatile material can be made into an almost endless supply of styles and colours. Mahogany is quite often the preferred choice as it is very durable, especially in extreme weather conditions, however other species such oak and walnut are now very popular and an excellent choice for exterior door construction.
Exterior doors manufactured from steel are now commonly used in the home. They were originally used in commercial buildings such as shops and offices. However, exterior steel doors are used more and more in the home these days. Many makers now supply these doors specifically for the domestic market. These exterior metal doors are available with a plain outer finish, which is suitable for commercial use, but versions for the home come in many more styles. These include doors with moulded panels and wood grain effect stamped into the steel outer sheet. The inner core can be insulated for better resistance against heat loss or heat gain. With the combination of a multipoint locking system these doors can be quite strong making the home secure and giving you some peace of mind.
Example of GRP Wood Grain
A composite door consists of outer skin of glass reinforced plastic with a foam inner core. These doors are nowadays considered a good quality product. Although Fiberglass exterior doors are made using a plastic material they are moulded to incorporate a wood grain effect which is very life like. These doors are only available in a range of rich striking colours. A door made to have a wood grain pattern is not yet possible but this could change in the near future with further development.
PVC doors are everywhere across the country. Many homeowners over the years have replaced their poor fitting, wooden doors with PVC type as they provide a low maintenance service. Unlike a composite door, PVC doors look cheap in comparison even though both are made from a plastic type material.
Aluminium is not often used for the main entrance door and more suited for such doors as sliding or exterior French door sets.
Costs can vary across the country for the various types of doors. As a general rule, composite and wooden doors are the most expensive with PVC and steel in the lower price bracket.
Cost will be a major contributing factor as to what style of doors will be used but there are some other factors that should be considered, such as the security requirements for the doors and the level of maintenance required to keep them in good condition.
Be sure to shop about to obtain the best prices when purchasing. Go online as there are many suppliers out there that allow you to order and have the doors delivered directly to your home ready for fitting. Searching online affords you the possibility of looking at what is on offer from all of the suppliers and manufacturers. If you prefer to see the product at close hand, then try visiting your local store. An added advantage is you can speak with an assistant if you have any queries.