Expert guide: how to choose a new front door for your home
Your front door is an important feature of your home. It’s one of the first things both you and your visitors see, on approaching your property. Not only that, but your front door also needs to strike a balance between security, functionality, energy efficiency and style.
With all of this in mind, choosing a new front door might seem like a big consideration.
With a huge range to choose from, here’s our guide: how to choose a front door for your home.
1. Assess your needs and lifestyle
When choosing a new front door, it’s important to think about your access requirements and any other specific priorities you may have, such as:
- Do you need to look at low-threshold door options, e.g. for wheelchair access?
- Is security a concern in your neighbourhood?
- Is energy-efficiency important to you?
- Do you need to look at noise reduction options?
- Are there restrictions on your choices, e.g. do you live in a listed property or a conservation area?
2. Set a realistic budget for your replacement door
So, how much is a new front door? The short answer is: prices can vary drastically, depending on your chosen material and design. The price of a new front door can also be affected by glazing, hardware and extra security features. A bespoke or handcrafted front door is likely to cost more than an ‘off-the-shelf’ option.
It’s helpful to set aside a realistic budget for your new front door. Since this is an infrequent purchase, it’s important to acknowledge that a quality door and installation service will impact positively on the value of your home. Investing in your front door is a wise decision.
3. Consider different materials
As door specialists, here at Benchmark, we offer an extensive range of doors in a wide variety of materials, including:
Each material offers a range of benefits, from robust durability to low-maintenance, as well as insulating capabilities and visual appeal.
Our helpful team will be happy to talk you through your options and make recommendations based on your property and budget.
Choosing a front door style
With numerous front door designs to choose from, it’s important to think about what style statement you want to make.
Choosing a new front door is a great opportunity to set the tone for the rest of your home. Your property’s exterior appearance has an effect on its ‘kerb appeal’ so making a good choice will benefit the value and saleability of your home.
Here are our recommendations for door materials and styles that compliment particular eras of home:
Older cottages
Traditional styles made from solid timber are ideal for older properties. These can be enhanced with a small glazed pane.
Period properties
We have traditional Victorian style solid panelled doors as well as glazed panes and Georgian era doors with fanlights.
Contemporary homes
Our composite and hardwood doors are a timeless option for contemporary properties. Where space and design allow, you might opt for a long glazed pane adjacent to your door to increase light in your home.
Modern buildings
Sleek and minimal doors in aluminium are ideal for a modern home. Lightweight but strong, durable and sustainable, aluminium doors are an ideal choice here.
What you opt for will ultimately come down to your personal preferences, but we are happy to offer guidance if you’re unsure about the best style for your property.
5. How to choose a front door that is safe
We needn’t tell you the importance of having a solid and secure front door. If you plan to replace a front door then there are various security features that your old door may not have had.
Security boosting features include:
- Solid door construction
- Laminated security glass
- Deadbolt locks
- Multi-point locking systems
- Reinforced frames
- Locks that conform to British Standard 3621
Once installed, you can also opt for:
- A peephole or door viewer
- Security cameras
- Smart lock options
6. Choosing a new front door that is energy efficient
With concerns about climate change and energy bills at an all-time high, we all need to do our bit to be energy efficient.
If you’ve chosen to replace a front door, it makes sense to opt for energy efficient options:
- Doors constructed from materials with good insulating properties to reduce heat loss and transfer
- Rubber, foam or vinyl weatherstripping, to create seals around the door to stop warm air from escaping and inward draughts
- If doors are glazed, choose energy-efficient glass
- Insulated core doors to prevent heat loss
Professional installation and regular maintenance will also ensure that your new front door fits well and offers maximum energy efficiency.
7. How to fit a new front door
When investing in a front door replacement, we would always recommend that homeowners seek professional installation. Unless they are very competent and capable, the integrity of the door could be compromised if not installed correctly.
Professional door installation will ensure optimal performance, energy-efficiency and security. As a reputable door supplier in the South East of England, we also offer expert door installation services by reliable fitters.
Looking for where to buy a new front door?
If you’re looking to replace a front door and frame, we offer the full solution:
1.Supply
Visit our Lancing showroom and choose from our extensive range of high-quality front doors and bespoke options
2. Survey
A member of our trained surveying team will visit your home to accurately measure your current front door and frame to ensure that your new door is a perfect fit
3. Installation
Our experienced team will fit your brand new front door
When you choose our seamless professional service, we will take care of everything. We ensure that your brand new front door delivers security, functionality and aesthetic appeal to your home.
Visit our spacious Lancing showroom – Unit 4-5 Marlborough Road, Lancing Business Park, BN15 8UF – or call us today on 01903 756699.
