The top things to know about different front door materials

Written by Thom Emerson

A door needs to be fashionable but functional. A door should keep you and your family safe, retain heat and warmth, whilst reflecting you and your home’s character. With a range of materials available, there are also various customisable options when it comes to colour, decorative features, finishes and hardware. But what material will suit your individual needs and unique sense of style?… To help you make an informed decision, we have outlined the top things you need to know about each door material available below.

Insulating uPVC front doors

Popular with many Hampshire homeowners, a uPVC door is a low maintenance, high-performance solution, when replacing your existing door. Our made-to-measure uPVC doors feature anti-warp, rot, flake, and rust qualities, ensuring they have always got kerb appeal!

Our uPVC doors are extremely secure. With bespoke multi-point locks and Kubu smart door locking systems available, they effortlessly exceed the building regulation security standard PAS24:2016. We also utilise high performance toughened glass for every uPVC door we install, which is five times stronger than regular glass. In addition, our thermally-sound uPVC entrance doors deliver exceptional heat retaining qualities, reaching impressively low U-values and door energy ratings.

Bespoke aluminium front doors

If you want your front door to have a sleek, modern aesthetic then aluminium is a great choice of material. Our bespoke aluminium doors provide the option of a powder-coated finish; the most durable surface available on the market (to-date). You can also choose from a range of decorative smooth or wooden grain finishes, and a variety of colours.

Whilst aluminium looks lightweight, it is one of the most burglar resistant door materials, due to its incredible sturdiness and impact-resistant frames. In addition, our aluminium door hardware has been thoroughly tested to the highest building regulation standards. Another benefit that aluminium offers is that it doesn’t expand during warmer months, its strength actually increases as temperatures decrease, making it an ideal material to deal with the UK’s unpredictable weather. For coastal properties in Hampshire that suffer from salt corrosion, aluminium doors are a perfect entryway solution! Weatherproof and resistant to rust, aluminium doors will not split, crack, swell or warp. For more information about the benefits of aluminium doors, including its enviable thermal-efficiency, have a look at our product brochure.

Striking composite front doors

Composite doors are extremely versatile in terms of style, whether the character of your home is charming and quaint, or your taste is more modern and contemporary, a composite door offers the best of both worlds! With Ideal Windows, you have the freedom to hand-pick the finish, colour, glazing, and hardware for your new composite door. Our glazing options include decorative, laminated, & obscured. If you want a Chartwell green door, with a traditional woodgrain finish & decorative glazing, or a sleek black door with a smooth finish and obscured glass, composite doors can do both!

The innovative thermal performance of our composite doors is due to the fantastic 4mm thick GRP (also known as fibre glass) skin and the high-density polyurethane foam core, providing up to 20% better thermal capabilities than traditional doors. Composite doors are extremely durable due to the variety of different materials they’re made from.

Classic timber front doors

If you are lucky enough to have a beautiful heritage property, we understand that retaining its historical charm is incredibly important. If you live in a conservation area like Alton or Bentley, or just want to add some classical character to the exterior of you home, our timber entrance doors can give you that authentic appearance with ease.

Gone are the days that timber doors would have visible blemishes such as knots and shakes. Engineered timber now includes a multi-layer design that removes these natural defects and prolongs their superb quality. Our timber doors do not compromise on energy-efficiency or security either, as all our timber doors feature an energy-saving 68mm door leaf with a 92mm deep frame and insulated panels as standard. They also meet the security tests set out by PAS 24:2012 and the prestigious police approved Secured by Design scheme.

High-quality front doors tailored to homes in Hampshire, West Sussex, and the South East

Whether you are looking for a new front or back door, we have every style and performance requirement covered! Hand-pick the finish, colour, hardware, and material to design a door completely unique to you. Our knowledgeable experts are on hand to discuss your needs and to ensure you get everything you want from your new door. Get in touch today or call 0800 7318761 to discuss your options further.