What Kind Of Front Door Should I Have?
When considering your home security, start with your door material. There are many excellent options, but some may be more suited to the fit and aesthetic of your house, as well as the level of security that you’re searching for.
Let’s explore some of the best materials for your front door…
Aluminium Front Doors
Aluminium front doors are a top choice for homeowners seeking superb security and durability. Their strong yet lightweight construction makes them highly resistant to forceful impacts, offering superior protection compared to uPVC doors. When paired with advanced locking systems, the tough frames make it difficult for intruders to damage or break through, ensuring peace of mind.
Additionally, they are rust-resistant and low-maintenance. Unlike other materials, such as wood, they don’t warp or corrode, maintaining their sleek and modern appearance for years. This makes them an ideal choice for contemporary homes where design and performance are equally important. Plus you can choose from a range of powder-coated colours and finishes, allowing you to customise the look to fit your vision perfectly. At Express Bifolds Direct, we manufacture all our front entrance doors with high-quality aluminium profiles that meet exceed Secured by Design standards.
Wooden Front Doors
Solid wooden front doors are strong, offer natural insulation, and provide good security for your home. However, they require regular maintenance to prevent warping or rotting in the UK’s often wet climate. Aluminium, on the other hand, holds up against extreme temperatures, so you won’t have to worry about the door expanding, contracting, or warping.
Don’t forget to also consider the look and feel of the material. Wooden doors have a more traditional aesthetic, offering warmth and classic charm to your home. You can paint your wooden door in whatever colour you wish – it just may need a fresh lick of paint every so often. For better durability, consider using hardwoods like oak or mahogany, which are more resistant to rain and cold.
Composite Front Doors
Composite front doors are one of the most common materials for front doors in the UK. This is likely because they are durable and require little maintenance. Composite means they are crafted from a mix of varied materials such as wood, uPVC, and insulation foam (helping to keep heat in). While composite front doors also offer solid security with their dense cores and multi-point locking systems, they may not match aluminium’s longevity and resilience, particularly in harsh weather conditions.
uPVC Front Doors
uPVC front doors are a popular choice due to their affordability, resistance to weather conditions, and minimal maintenance, making them ideal for the often unpredictable UK climate. They are easy to clean and require minimal upkeep, making them a convenient option for homeowners looking for practicality.
However, there are some downsides. uPVC doors are not biodegradable and are generally weaker and less durable than aluminium alternatives. While they provide basic security, they don’t offer the same level of strength and long-lasting performance. Additionally, uPVC doors may not have the same aesthetic appeal or modern look as aluminium doors, which are both stronger and more visually striking.
What Kind Of Door Security Should I Have?
Anti-Theft Security Cylinders
To strengthen your home security, consider upgrading to high-security locks. Standard locks may not offer enough protection against tampering or forced entry, but advanced locks are designed to handle these threats.
At Express Direct, we provide 3-star diamond-rated anti-snap, anti-drill, anti-pick, and anti-bump security cylinders as standard on every door. These BSI cylinders exceed Secured by Design’s 2-star requirement, offering superior protection.
Our high-security lock cylinders also feature full internal protection, ensuring that even if an intruder gains entry, they won’t be able to break out. Plus, our keys can be cut at any locksmith, with no special lock card needed. Sourced from a leading lock manufacturer, these cylinders perfectly complement our premium doors.
Advanced Glazing
When securing your front door, glazing plays a crucial role in safety. Laminated glass, often used in double glazing, offers superior protection compared to toughened glass. It features a plastic PVB layer between two glass sheets, making it more difficult to break and preventing injury by holding the glass together if cracked. This makes laminated glass an excellent choice for home security. At Express Direct, our doors come with soft coat low-E glass for better insulation, and our double-glazed, argon-filled units meet building standards while ensuring energy efficiency.
Level up your doorbell
Video doorbells are a fantastic way to upgrade your home security, as they let you see and speak to visitors in real time, regardless of whether you’re at home or not. This is great if you have a big house (and you don’t always hear the postman knocking) or if you have a busy lifestyle and are often out and about; you can link up your doorbell to your mobile phone and see who’s at the door from afar.
Plus, many sophisticated video doorbells can record footage, which can be used as valuable evidence in the case of a break-in. Of course, this is a worst-case scenario, but if installing a video doorbell helps your peace of mind, then it’s certainly worth doing.
Adjust Your Lighting
Motion-triggered lights feature sensors that can detect any movement around your front door, which is great for alerting you of any unwanted visitors. The instant light can also function as a deterrence, scaring away any potential burglars or intruders before attempting to enter your home.
Invest In Security Cameras
Want to secure your home to the max? Consider investing in some security cameras and setting them up to point directly at your front entrance or porch area. These can be set up to constantly record videos, capturing any suspicious activity on camera, for total assurance.
Top tip: You don’t even need to keep them on all of the time! Simply the presence of a CCTV camera can keep potential intruders away.
The Impact of Professional Installation
Even the highest-quality doors won’t perform at their best if they’re not installed correctly. Professional installation ensures your doors fit perfectly and operate smoothly, maximising their benefits in security, energy efficiency, and aesthetics. Expert installation also helps prevent future issues, ensuring your doors truly boost your home’s value.
While all our products come with detailed fitting instructions for skilled tradespeople, our sister company, Express Bi-folding Doors, offers a full survey and fitting service for those who prefer expert assistance.
How Often Should I Replace My Front Door?
Whilst there’s no set time frame, the lifespan of a front door can range from anywhere between 20 to 60 years. Many factors can impact how long your door stays in good nick, including the material and how well you look after it. Environmental factors can also impact your door, for example, if you live in a particularly hot or frosty climate that may cause the material to crack or go rusty over time.
Overall, investing in an aluminium front door is a smart choice for durability and ease of maintenance. To keep them looking their best, simple tasks like lubricating hinges, clearing debris from tracks, and cleaning the powder-coated surfaces will help maintain their efficiency and appearance for years.
No matter the material, our best maintenance advice is to look after your door frame (i.e. no slamming!) and keep an eye out for any signs of wear and tear to ensure it makes the most of its lifespan. At Express Direct, all our doors are designed for easy maintenance and come with a five-year guarantee, so you can rest assured knowing your investment is protected.
Whether you’re looking to upgrade your security system or install a brand-new door frame, we understand how important it is to feel safe in your own home. Here at Express Direct, we’re ready to help you upgrade and protect your home with our premium front doors. Visit one of our showrooms, chat with our expert team, and explore our range of products in person or online today!