All You Need To Know A New Front Door

Make a great first impression with a stylish and secure design

- Tara King

WHAT DO I NEED TO CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A NEW DOOR?

The most common deciding factors are thermal efficiency and durability, but do bear in mind that style details can also have a beneficial effect on your home. If your hallway is dark, for example, it makes sense to choose a door with windowpanes that bring much-needed light into the space. Or, if you have large windows, you might want to think about a solid door for extra privacy.

WHAT MATERIALS CAN I CHOOSE FROM?

Timber is a great fit for country properties. Oak, iroko, larch and cedar are all popular for their dense grains but, unlike other materials, wood can be prone to warping so regular maintenance is required. In general, you can expect to pay around £250 for a veneered timber door bought off the shelf, but bespoke solid wood designs can easily exceed £2,000 depending on the quality and specification.

Composite doors made with glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) come in stylish wood-look designs – choose a solid core construction over ‘hollow’ polystyrene. While not as authentic as real timber, composite has all the benefits of modern technology, so requires less maintenance. It can be tough on the purse strings, however, due to its superior build structure, with a standard door starting from around £1,250.