What to Consider When Choosing a New Front Door

Your front door can boost kerb appeal, improve security and even increase energy efficiency, so picking the right one requires careful consideration. 

If your front door has seen better days, it might be best to start shopping around for a new one. However, there are so many different options that it can be difficult to know where to start.

There’s a lot more to choosing a new front door than just opting for the first one you like the look of. In fact, there are several factors you should consider to ensure you get the most suitable front door replacement for your needs. 

So what should you be looking out for? The team here at Associated Garage Doors is here to explain everything you need to know.

 

Front door materials

Arguably, the most important choice you’ll need to make is what material you’d like your front door to be made from, as this can affect the price, durability and overall look of the final product. Two of the most popular front door materials include:

• Composite front doors: Composite front doors are constructed from a unique blend of materials, such as uPVC, foam, timber and GRP, and this combination provides enhanced durability with minimal maintenance required. What’s more, thanks to their insulating core, composite front doors ensure excellent energy efficiency at an affordable price.

• Aluminium front doors: Lightweight yet incredibly robust, aluminium front doors can withstand rust, corrosion and weathering, as well as any attempts at forced entry. Arguably one of the most secure options available, an aluminium front door offers a sleek modern look that enhances both security and style.

Front door colours

When visitors first walk up your driveway and arrive at your home, the first thing they’ll notice is your front door. Therefore, it’s important it makes the right impression and the colour of your front door plays a huge part in this. 

Would you prefer to opt for a bold pop of colour that will help your home to stand out from your neighbours? Or would you rather have a more muted shade that blends in with your home’s exterior? Here at Associated Garage Doors, we can even ensure your new front door matches your garage door colour exactly – perfect for those who want to achieve a unified look for their exterior.

Front door security

Your front door is one of the most vulnerable access points of your home, so any obvious signs of weakness could be exploited by potential intruders. When choosing your new front door, it’s essential to look out for a robust product made from strong materials that can withstand forced entry.

Another key thing to check for is whether the door in question has Secured by Design status; this is an official police initiative that aims to reduce crime by recognising all products that meet certain security standards. Here at Associated Garage Doors, many of our front doors are equipped with multi-point locking systems and can be upgraded to meet Secured by Design standards for your peace of mind.

Front door energy efficiency

It’s estimated that around 15% of heat loss occurs through the front door of your property, and that’s where an energy-efficient front door can make all the difference. 

When choosing a new front door, it’s important to enquire about its U-value. This is a figure that demonstrates how effective a material is at insulating; the lower the U-value, the more heat it will retain. The material of your front door plays a large part in this; aluminium and composite doors typically feature an insulating core that makes them much more energy efficient than wooden front doors or older uPVC models.

Front door price

All of the factors that we’ve mentioned above will play a role in determining the price of your new front door. Certain materials, colours and styles will come in at a higher price point and if you’re looking for a particularly unique design then you can expect the cost to increase accordingly. 

While you should consider your budget carefully, your front door has a huge impact on the security and kerb appeal of your home. Therefore, it’s worth investing a bit more money in a product that will stand the test of time, rather than opting for the cheapest option that might compromise the safety of your home. 

Here at Associated Garage Doors, our composite front doors start at £1,500 and our aluminium front doors start at £6,000. However, as every home is different, you won’t be able to get an exact quote until you schedule a free home survey. Thanks to our strong working relationship with leading manufacturers, such as Hörmann, we can secure the most competitive rates for your new front door.

If you’re on the lookout for a new front door in Tunbridge, Tonbridge and the surrounding Kent area, Associated Garage Doors should be your first port of call. For more than 30 years, we’ve been helping homeowners across the region to upgrade their home’s security, energy efficiency and appearance with a durable, stylish front door – contact us for a free quote.