Essential for security and a great way to boost kerb appeal, your front door is a key architectural feature of your home. What do you need to budget to invest and what are the cost factors?
When it comes to your home, the front door holds a pivotal role that goes beyond mere aesthetics. A well-chosen front door is not just an entry point; it’s a statement, a guardian and a vital component contributing to the overall functionality and appeal of a home. Your front door serves as the first impression visitors have of a property. Beyond the initial visual impact, it plays a crucial role in security, energy efficiency, and the overall ambience of a home.
Back in the 1970s there was pretty much just one single choice for a front door and that was timber. These days the choice has expanded to the very popular and budget-friendly uPVC as well as steel, aluminium, composite and solid hardwood.
From the cars we drive to the exclusive statement houses we would all love to build, our design choices are a declaration of the kind of people we are and this principle can be perfectly expressed in the entrance doors with which we choose to embellish our homes. uPVC uPVC front doors are among the most affordable front doors. They’ve advanced significantly in recent years, both in terms of design and energy efficiency, so if you’re searching for a cheaper alternative, take some time to look through all the options.
Available in a variety of styles, such as wood-effect, and a large range of colours, most uPVC front doors are sold as doorsets, pre-hung in their frames. These start at approximately £370 and can increase in price to £1,100 for designs that include glazed side panels. It could also be necessar y to buy door hardware and fasteners separately, if these aren’t listed in your quotation.
TIMBER
For many reasons, wooden front doors are very popular in a plethora of styles and prices to fit any kind of home. Timber doors can be built to order or picked up in conventional sizes from most DIY stores. They come in some very modern designs in addition to being suitable for period homes.
Although softwood front doors are less expensive than other materials, steer clear of extremely low-cost products as they have a tendency to twist, split and warp over time. Whatever wood you select, be sure it’s been properly primed and treated because hardwood doors can also be susceptible to movement.
Ask your supplier what preser vatives they recommend because some will arrive already tre
