How to Choose a New Front Door

Part One - Why Plan Your New Front Door?

There are so many factors to consider when you are buying a new front door, it can seem very daunting. That is, unless you do not realise the importance of choosing the right front door for your home.

This blog post is the first in a series of guides to help you make the right choice for you and your home when buying a new front door.

Lets start with why it is important to put some thought into the task of buying a new front door, rather than just buying the first front door that fits your door frame and your budget.

Lets consider the role of your front door.
It is:

• The first thing visitors see when they call on you.


• What protects you and your home from the outside world.


• Used on a daily basis.

It may not seem important to list the fact that your door is the first impression to visitors as the top priority. However, not all visitors are good visitors. If you consider a potential attacker checking your home for weaknesses and vulnerabilities, suddenly first impressions seem very important. Experienced burglars know exactly what to look for in a door. Certain features provide them with easy access if they use the right force - a kick or a crowbar in the right place. Do you know the weaknesses of your own front door?
Of course, to some first impressions to good visitors is also a high priority. Especially if you are planning on selling your property, you do not want the first thing viewers see to be a poor quality front door.

Next, your front door protects you and your home from the outside world. Again, this could be potential attackers as I just discussed, or it could just be protection from the elements. Heat escaping and draughts coming in through gaps can cause an increase of your energy bills. A well-insulated front door can keep your home cosy.
It is also important to consider how well your door will fair while it is protecting you. It might provide good protection from attackers or the weather, but will the door still be good afterwards? Weathering can often cause fading, warping and rotting in some doors. Attacks may result in a door that is dented or cracked, even if it manages to resist the attacker getting in.

Lastly, your door is used on a daily basis. Each member of the household coming and going, answering the door to callers, it's all wear and tear on the door. You don't want a front door that sticks and prevents your from opening it easily. It is important to have a door that will continue to function well throughout its lifespan.

Next post: How to Choose a New Front Door Part Two: Location

New Front Door Cost

A question that gets asked on a regular basis is "how much do new front doors cost?"

This question really depends on the factors involved. What kind of front door do you want? What front door furniture do you want? Do you need the front door fitted?
Despite the many factors involved, it is important to know what price range you should be paying for a new door so that you are not ripped off.

Often companies that knock on doors or call you will offer a much higher quote. They will then gauge your reaction and act accordingly. If you react positively to the quote they may highlight the benefits - leaving the price as it is. If you react negatively they may start applying 'special discounts' to entice you, as well as emphasising the benefits.
Of course, if you buy a front door online through a system with an instant live quote, you don't need to worry about inflated quotes. You know that you are getting the price everyone else gets, and you can easily compare it to other companies.

uPVC doors are known to be the cheapest. At present you can get a uPVC door for between £200 and £400. On top of that is installation - this really depends on the company offering installation. You shouldn't be paying more than £1,000 for both a standard uPVC door and installation.

Wooden doors are much more expensive. There are a number of factors when buying a wood door, which cause the price to vary greatly. Lower quality wooden doors could cost as little as £275, whereas higher quality, custom made or more intricate designs could cost you thousands.

Composite doors are in the middle of uPVC and Wooden doors. You can get a composite door from between £360 and £800.

Front Door Glass

We've talked about Front Door Designs, I think it's time we talked about new front doors and glass options.

When buying a composite door, there are many options for you to choose from. Designs, colours, hardware, accessories, thresholds, side panels.. You really can create your perfect door, rather than just going to a diy department store and buying a generic door that may or may not meet your every need.

Once you've chosen the important options of your new front door, you can start thinking about the appearance. Composite doors come in seven different colours and each style has a number of glass designs.

For modern and minimalist front doors, you can choose Zinc abstract art designs to add character to your property.
People who prefer more everyday front door design may prefer the diamond range. These feature diamonds in a colour of your choice, from blue, green, red or 'diamond'.
The Harmony range adds style and elegance to your new front door. Again, you can choose the border colour you like from green, blue, red or 'frost'.
Those who prefer individualism when it comes to the style and appearance of their front door can choose from the unique Murano range.
There's also a selection of other glasses to use in your composite door. Several different styles are available which feature roses and floral designs.

Front door glasses come with additional options - they can be backed with obscure glass to protect your privacy (again, there are a number of designs to choose your favourite style and preferred level of privacy) and for the security-conscious, the option of laminated glass to protect your house and family.