The front door is the focal point of a house. A house with a beautiful front door fills you with a welcoming feeling. The front door is a multitasker. It not only improves your home’s aesthetics but is also responsible for the safety of the house.
Replacing a front door requires a lot of consideration. Material, colour, style, safety, weather resistance, and cost are only some of the factors that you may consider while choosing an external door. Materials frequently employed to build front doors are; wood, glass and steel. A combination of several materials can be used to create a fancy door, but such composite doors may be expensive.
Here are the steps you may follow:
We shall use elimination to get to our final choice. Start with the attribute which matters most.
1. Purpose
It depends on what the most critical aspect is. If you require safety, go for Aluminum doors with long dead-bolts to prevent entry by ramming. Also, if you live in a place where environmental conditions vary from extreme rain to hot and dry, a double glazed door will be a great choice due to its high resistance. Wooden doors are also a classic choice. You get that beautiful look, adequate safety, and also weather resistance if you’ve chosen good quality wood.
2. Cost
This is one decision for which you won’t need a guide. Wooden doors are typically more expensive than steel doors.
3. Properties
Every material has specific properties. Depending on your requirements, choose the ideal material.
Weather resistance
Steel doesn’t tolerate weather very well. If the steel’s paint is chipped off, there might be chances of rust. Wood and glass are good at enduring weather, and glass has other benefits that are discussed in heat insulation.
Maintenance
Wooden doors, though initially expensive, are easier to maintain. Scratches and dents can be removed easily. Polishing the doors can also give them a new look.
Steel doesn’t require too much maintenance, but if the rods are rammed and get dented, it may be improbable to get the dent removed. Glass is also required little maintenance, and simply needs to be cleaned a couple of times a year.
Heat insulation
If you’re living in a place with extreme weather, insulation is a prime area of concern. Steel doors can come with foam inside the bars which insulates well. For wood, insulation depends on the material. If insulation is crucial for you, research well before you makes a decision. Glass, depending on what type of glass you get (clear, frosted etc.) can have a thermal aspect and provide natural light.
Now that you’ve understood the pros and cons of each material and type of door, it is necessary to understand the safety aspect. Steel doors are durable and can be reinforced for even greater safety. Glass around the lock can be broken leading to a safety concern. Wooden doors can also give up easily when rammed. Pay special attention to the locking mechanism.
While each material has its strengths and weaknesses, your door is only as safe as the locking mechanism inside.
Deadbolts
Having a longer and thicker deadbolt offers better protection against break-in attempts. Since the lock may be the weakest point of the door, make sure there’s another latch to support the primary lock. It’s always better to be careful. Certain locks can only be opened using keys at both ends. If your situation demands it, go for it.
Thank you for reading our blog post. We hope you have a better idea of what to look for when purchasing a new front door. If you are looking for a new front door, be sure to contact us for a range of options, or call us today 01604 946669.