Pro Panel: Secrets to Choosing a New Front Door
It’s the first thing you and your visitors see, so make sure your front door is the right fit – literally
Cheryl Freedman
5 July 2019
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing for the UK's top interiors titles. I love shopping for quirky accessories, have a passion for rummaging through vintage stores and I'm ever-hopeful of finding that elusive perfect paint shade.
Houzz Contributor. I'm a London-based journalist with years of experience writing... More
Your front door can make a huge difference to how the exterior of your property looks, but it also needs to be functional: secure, weatherproof, properly fitted and, ideally, long-lasting. So if you’re thinking of updating yours, read this expert advice on how to go about choosing the best one for you. Our panel of professionals includes Joe Halsall of Origin Doors and Windows, Victoria Viro of Cerberus Doors, and Jarek Musial of Bespoke Front Door.
Consider the material
When it comes to selecting a material for your front door, the obvious choice is timber, but this isn’t the only option. “There are many different types of doors on the market today, ranging from composite, aluminium, solid wood and even cladded steel,” says Victoria Viro. “The best option is to go for a material that’s low-maintenance, so there’s less hassle in the future.”
“Timber doors offer strength, but wood is more likely to warp, expand or contract when exposed to the elements, which can make a door draughty or difficult to open,” says Joe Halsall. “Wooden doors may also need treating for rot or discolouration to the finish.”
When it comes to selecting a material for your front door, the obvious choice is timber, but this isn’t the only option. “There are many different types of doors on the market today, ranging from composite, aluminium, solid wood and even cladded steel,” says Victoria Viro. “The best option is to go for a material that’s low-maintenance, so there’s less hassle in the future.”
“Timber doors offer strength, but wood is more likely to warp, expand or contract when exposed to the elements, which can make a door draughty or difficult to open,” says Joe Halsall. “Wooden doors may also need treating for rot or discolouration to the finish.”
If you decide on a timber door, Accoya can be a great option, says Jarek Musial. “It’s a [modified] high-performance, long-lasting and sustainable timber that’s perfect for front doors. It also exhibits excellent paint-retention properties, and its flat, smooth grain provides the perfect canvas for paint,” he says.
“uPVC doors are the cheapest option and generally low maintenance, but they’re usually the weakest,” says Halsall. “They’re susceptible to wear and can warp, expand and contract.”
“uPVC doors are the cheapest option and generally low maintenance, but they’re usually the weakest,” says Halsall. “They’re susceptible to wear and can warp, expand and contract.”
“Medite Tricoya is very popular at the moment, due to its durability and easy maintenance,” says Viro. “It’s an extreme type of MDF and can be used in situations and applications where normal MDF panels couldn’t be used.”
Find door manufacturers and suppliers in your area on Houzz
Find door manufacturers and suppliers in your area on Houzz
After something modern? Aluminium doors are strong and can add a cool, industrial look – plus they won’t expand or contract every time the temperature rises or dips.
“We highly recommend aluminium for its unparalleled strength and durability,” says Halsall. “The doors have no risk of warping, are not prone to wear, and require minimal cleaning.”
“We highly recommend aluminium for its unparalleled strength and durability,” says Halsall. “The doors have no risk of warping, are not prone to wear, and require minimal cleaning.”
Work in some glass
Glazing is commonly incorporated into front doors, as it’s great for brightening up a dark hallway. Stained glass is a nice option in a period property, as it can add a decorative touch.
“We’ve seen a massive interest in stained glass this year. It’s a lovely feature if you have a traditional front door,” says Viro.
The amount of glazing people opt for varies. “Some homeowners will incorporate a lot of glass to enhance natural light in the hallway, usually if it’s a more traditional home, while others go for an ultra-modern, seamless style with no glazing,” says Halsall.
However, standard glass can obviously be broken, so it needs to be the right type in a front door. “To secure your entrance, double-glazed, laminated glass is the best option to ensure intruders don’t get in,” says Viro.
Glazing is commonly incorporated into front doors, as it’s great for brightening up a dark hallway. Stained glass is a nice option in a period property, as it can add a decorative touch.
“We’ve seen a massive interest in stained glass this year. It’s a lovely feature if you have a traditional front door,” says Viro.
The amount of glazing people opt for varies. “Some homeowners will incorporate a lot of glass to enhance natural light in the hallway, usually if it’s a more traditional home, while others go for an ultra-modern, seamless style with no glazing,” says Halsall.
However, standard glass can obviously be broken, so it needs to be the right type in a front door. “To secure your entrance, double-glazed, laminated glass is the best option to ensure intruders don’t get in,” says Viro.
Match to your period
Many homeowners like to choose a door that’s sympathetic to the era of their home. “Replacing a battered or warped front door with a beautiful new one that looks perfect for the house should make an appreciable difference to the value of your home and is a shrewd investment,” says Musial. “Choose a door from the wrong era and the reverse could be true.”
“Do your research,” says Viro. “Identify what period your property’s from: if it’s a 1930s build, then search for this period online, which will provide you with loads of great front door ideas you might not have even thought of. Then you can work around that and choose your favourite colour, hardware and so on. Try to choose a door design that will complement the look of the house.”
What’s Your Door Knob and Handle Style?
Many homeowners like to choose a door that’s sympathetic to the era of their home. “Replacing a battered or warped front door with a beautiful new one that looks perfect for the house should make an appreciable difference to the value of your home and is a shrewd investment,” says Musial. “Choose a door from the wrong era and the reverse could be true.”
“Do your research,” says Viro. “Identify what period your property’s from: if it’s a 1930s build, then search for this period online, which will provide you with loads of great front door ideas you might not have even thought of. Then you can work around that and choose your favourite colour, hardware and so on. Try to choose a door design that will complement the look of the house.”
What’s Your Door Knob and Handle Style?
Focus on security
It goes without saying that security is extremely important when you’re choosing a new door. “The front door should provide the highest level of security in your property, as it’s the most exposed point,” says Halsall.
“Front doors should incorporate multi-point locks. Also consider high-security hinges, as these are often a point of weakness that could be exploited by an intruder,” he says. “The cylinder (aka locking barrel) is often seen as a major weakness on a front door. It’s usually how a burglar would gain entrance. If security is a major concern, we would recommend upgrading to a TS007 3-star cylinder.”
“As well as a good lock, it’s important to ensure the construction of the door is robust as well,” says Viro.
It goes without saying that security is extremely important when you’re choosing a new door. “The front door should provide the highest level of security in your property, as it’s the most exposed point,” says Halsall.
“Front doors should incorporate multi-point locks. Also consider high-security hinges, as these are often a point of weakness that could be exploited by an intruder,” he says. “The cylinder (aka locking barrel) is often seen as a major weakness on a front door. It’s usually how a burglar would gain entrance. If security is a major concern, we would recommend upgrading to a TS007 3-star cylinder.”
“As well as a good lock, it’s important to ensure the construction of the door is robust as well,” says Viro.
Think about durability
Don’t be tempted to buy too cheap a product. “Front doors are used for everyday access, so yours should be built to last and withstand frequent usage. I’d recommend choosing a front door that’s undergone extensive cycle testing,” says Halsall, which refers to testing a door’s endurance over repeated openings.
And don’t forget to factor in door furniture. “If you’re picking a funky pattern on your front door, you’ll need to consider whether it could block you from being able to add a letterbox, spy hole or knocker,” he says.
Make an Entrance: Top Tips for Painting Your Front Door
Don’t be tempted to buy too cheap a product. “Front doors are used for everyday access, so yours should be built to last and withstand frequent usage. I’d recommend choosing a front door that’s undergone extensive cycle testing,” says Halsall, which refers to testing a door’s endurance over repeated openings.
And don’t forget to factor in door furniture. “If you’re picking a funky pattern on your front door, you’ll need to consider whether it could block you from being able to add a letterbox, spy hole or knocker,” he says.
Make an Entrance: Top Tips for Painting Your Front Door
Measure up correctly
It’s vital to get accurate measurements when fitting a door. Not being able to easily get in or out of your house due to ‘stickiness’ every time it rains is no fun, and nor is having a gap letting in howling winds.
“You should take three measurements of the height – at either side and down the centre – and the same again for the width – at the top, middle and bottom,” says Halsall. “However, we would always recommend getting a professional in to ensure a perfect fit.”
Browse more images of front entrances
It’s vital to get accurate measurements when fitting a door. Not being able to easily get in or out of your house due to ‘stickiness’ every time it rains is no fun, and nor is having a gap letting in howling winds.
“You should take three measurements of the height – at either side and down the centre – and the same again for the width – at the top, middle and bottom,” says Halsall. “However, we would always recommend getting a professional in to ensure a perfect fit.”
Browse more images of front entrances
Don’t be scared to experiment
Halsall points out that door style is often about personal preference along with other elements, such as the home’s front entrance and windows. “We’ve seen many cases where a modern front door has been fitted into a traditional property and it works very well because the windows have been updated at the same time. More people are matching their front door to their windows,” he says.
“Reeded glass and antique bronze furniture are popular,” Jarek says, “as are light-coloured doors.”
“On modern doors, we’re seeing a trend towards stainless-steel bar handles instead of a traditional lever handle,” says Halsall. “More people are moving away from white to grey when replacing windows, and we’ve seen more homeowners purchasing grey doors, too.”
Halsall points out that door style is often about personal preference along with other elements, such as the home’s front entrance and windows. “We’ve seen many cases where a modern front door has been fitted into a traditional property and it works very well because the windows have been updated at the same time. More people are matching their front door to their windows,” he says.
“Reeded glass and antique bronze furniture are popular,” Jarek says, “as are light-coloured doors.”
“On modern doors, we’re seeing a trend towards stainless-steel bar handles instead of a traditional lever handle,” says Halsall. “More people are moving away from white to grey when replacing windows, and we’ve seen more homeowners purchasing grey doors, too.”
Your turn
What type of front door have you gone for and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, like this article, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Need more expert advice? Don’t miss our last Pro Panel: Which Flooring Should I Choose for My Bathroom?
What type of front door have you gone for and why? Share your thoughts in the Comments section, like this article, save your favourite images and join the conversation.
More
Need more expert advice? Don’t miss our last Pro Panel: Which Flooring Should I Choose for My Bathroom?
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My partner did this. He took the precise measurements for the glazier and then fitted them himself - that said, he spent five years as a professional joiner and cabinet maker and says the measurements need to be correct to a mm, particularly for a front door where security and insulation are paramount.
The joiner sourced the glass. We told him what pattern we wanted. It was before the days of "leaded" double glazed panels but I'm sure that shouldn't be a problem if you want something more fancy.
Thanks K B