The best home security safeguards begin at the front door. The question is, is your family 100% protected against the most determined intruders? And what can you do to make your doors more secure?… Packed full of essential information, discover the best entrance door with this handy quick door buying guide.

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What should I look for when buying new external doors?

  1. Door material e.g. uPVC, aluminium, composite, timber, fire resistant.

Is it stronger than your existing door?...

  1. Modern multi-point locking mechanisms.

How many locking points does it have?...
Smart lock integration?...

  1. Door security accreditations? e.g. PAS 24, Secured by Design.
  2. Door designs, colours and finishing touches.

Custom design options?...
Colour palettes?…
Matching handles and hardware?...

  1. Thermal insulation qualities e.g. Energy ratings A++ to C.

Laminated glazing possibilities?...

  1. High performance weather resistance e.g. advanced weathertight seals.

Is it tested to the highest Building Regulation standards?...

  1. Decorative glazing options e.g. heritage Georgian bar effects.
  2. Low maintenance qualities.
  3. Soundproofing qualities.
  4. 10-year product guarantee (or more).

 

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What is the most popular front door?

When it comes to the most popular door material, it all depends on your household’s specific needs. Composite doors are all-round achievers, seamlessly bridging the gap between economical uPVC and premium aluminium. uPVC doors remain a firm favourite for budget-friendly style, security, and efficiency. Minimalist yet robust aluminium doors suit contemporary developments best and traditional timber doors are often approved for use in restricted locations such as conservation areas and listed buildings.

The top things to know about different front door materials

In terms of security, households in the South East tend to opt for tough composite doors. Or if the replacement door project requires a large made-to-measure entrance, aluminium doors are preferred as they can be made around 30% bigger than composite doors.

For longevity, timber doors come out on top as they can last a lifetime if treated right. Closely followed by aluminium doors, lasting at least 45 years with minimal maintenance. Composite doors and uPVC doors can last between 20 - 30 years.

Read more about the most popular window & door colours of 2020

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Grey composite back door
composite door and white frames on blue building

Which doors are the most energy efficient?

Quality replacement doors display a multicoloured BFRC energy rating label similar to those found on fridges and washing machines, showing that your new door has been independently verified by experts to perform as promised. The most important things to take note of are the doors energy rating and their U-value. The U-value shows how easily heat can pass through the door material, so the lower the U-value, the more efficient the door is. Rated on a scale of A++ to E, to comply with UK Building Regulations, current minimum efficiency standards require new doors to have a U-value of 1.8W/m²K or lower or a door Energy Rating of at least E.*

Due to the fusion of materials a composite door contains, it is often considered the most energy efficient door material. Modern aluminium doors also contain innovative polyamide thermal breaks, actively preventing cold bridging and generating low U-values. That said, all our doors meet and exceed all current requirements under Building Regulations, reaching impressively low U-values and Door Energy Ratings (DERs).

*correct at time of publishing; March 2021.

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Serving Basingstoke, Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth, Hampshire and the surrounding areas

With a showroom in Fareham and a showroom in Chichester, we're ideally placed to provide homeowners with valuable inspiration. Open 6 days a week, 10am-5pm, an array of beautiful products, a welcoming atmosphere and a professional, friendly and knowledgeable team await your arrival! Areas we serve include Basingstoke, Southampton, Winchester, Portsmouth & Hampshire.

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