8 Points to Consider When Choosing a New Front Door

Your front door is the first thing visitors see and your home's first line of defence. It also makes a big difference to how warm your hallway feels. Choosing a new front door is a decision you'll live with for decades, so it pays to get it right.

Here are eight points to weigh up before you buy.

1. Composite or uPVC?

Most replacement front doors in the UK are either composite or uPVC, and both are low maintenance. The main differences are strength, feel and price.

Composite doors are built in layers, usually a tough outer skin over an insulated core, set in a reinforced frame. They're thicker and heavier than uPVC doors, feel solid when they close, and have a realistic woodgrain texture that looks like painted timber without the upkeep. They cost more, but for most people they're the premium choice for a front door. Take a look at our composite doors, including our Comp Door and TruFrame composite ranges.

uPVC doors are lighter and more affordable, and a good-quality uPVC door is still secure, well insulated and easy to look after. They're a sensible choice if budget matters most, or for side and back doors. See our uPVC front doors.

If you're unsure, ask to see samples of both. The difference in weight and finish is easy to feel in person.

2. Security

Doors are the most common way burglars get into homes, so security should be near the top of your list. A good modern front door should include:

• Multi-point locking, which bolts the door into the frame at several points down the locking side, not just at the handle.
• An anti-snap cylinder. Lock snapping is a common way of attacking older doors. Look for a cylinder rated TS007 3-star or Sold Secure Diamond.
• PAS 24 certification, the British standard for door and window security, or accreditation under the police-backed Secured by Design initiative.
• Laminated glass in any glazed panels near the lock, so a burglar can't break the glass and reach in.

A strong door is only as good as its frame and fitting, so make sure it's installed securely by an experienced installer. For advice on the rest of your home, read our guide to window security features.

3. Energy efficiency

An old, draughty front door can undo the good work of new windows and insulation. Modern composite and uPVC doors have insulated cores, multiple weather seals and double glazed panels, which keep the heat in and the draughts out.

If you want the best performance, ask about the door's U-value, which measures how much heat escapes through it. The lower the number, the better.

4. A style that suits your home

Your front door has a big impact on kerb appeal, so think about the age and character of your property. Traditional panelled doors with decorative glass suit Victorian, Edwardian and 1930s homes, while clean lines, long vertical glass and bold handles suit more modern properties.

If you'd like the top half to open on its own, a stable door is a charming option. Stable doors suit cottages and country homes, and they're practical too, letting in fresh air while keeping children and pets inside.

When you're deciding, stand back and look at your home from the street. The right door should look like it belongs there.

5. Colour and finish

Front doors now come in a huge range of colours, from classic black, navy and red to heritage greens, greys and creams. Many composite doors can be a different colour inside and out, so you can make a statement outside while keeping your hallway neutral.

Think about how the colour works with your brickwork, windows and roof, and with neighbouring houses if you live in a terrace. Woodgrain finishes give a more traditional look, while smooth finishes suit contemporary styles. Quality composite and uPVC finishes are designed to resist fading, so they won't need repainting.

6. Glass, side panels and light

Glass lets daylight into your hallway, which makes a big difference if it's on the dark side. Options include glazed panels in the door itself, side panels on one or both sides, and a top light above.

Obscure and decorative glass let the light in while protecting your privacy, and bevelled or leaded designs add a period touch. Wherever there's glass close to the lock, make sure it's laminated for security.

7. Hardware and finishing touches

Handles, knockers, letterplates, spyholes and door numbers pull the whole look together. Chrome, black, gold and graphite finishes are all popular, and it's worth matching them to the other fittings on the front of your house.

Hardware plays a part in security too. A letterplate with an internal cowl or guard stops anyone reaching through or fishing for keys, and a spyhole lets you see who's there before you open the door.

8. Access, fire safety and fitting

A few practical points are easy to overlook:

• Thresholds. A low threshold makes access easier for pushchairs, wheelchairs and anyone less steady on their feet, and removes a trip hazard.
• Fire safety. Some doors need to be fire-rated. If you live in a flat whose front door opens onto a shared hallway, or you're replacing the door between your house and an integral garage, you'll usually need a certified fire door. See our fire-rated doors.
• Installation and guarantee. Choose an experienced, registered installer who surveys and measures properly before quoting, and check that the guarantee is insurance-backed, so you're covered even if the company stops trading.

Ready to choose your new front door?

Bennbrook Windows is a FENSA-registered installer based in Harlow, fitting high-quality composite and uPVC doors across Essex, Hertfordshire and North and East London. Every job starts with a free, no-obligation home survey, and every installation comes with a 10-year insurance-backed guarantee through the IWA.

Explore our door range or contact us for a free quote. You can also call us on 01279 964009.

Replacing your windows too? Read our guide to choosing new windows.