The right front door makes a big statement. It gives visitors their first impression and communicates style to passers-by, while giving you energy efficiency, low maintenance, security, and a sense of pride.
It all starts with choices – uPVC or composite? What type of frame? Solid or glazed? What finish, what fittings? Type of lock? Sound-proofing? And let’s not forget colour.
The right door is about how you feel. This guide will help you create your ideal front door, a door that makes a statement while offering security, economy, durability and elegance.
The first decision is, what material do you want your door to be made of? Composite, wood, uPVC, aluminium, steel, fiberglass …
Door Materials and Styles
Doors come in a number of materials, each with its pluses and minuses. For example, wooden doors offer a classic feel but require a lot of maintenance.
The three materials that offer the greatest versatility, thermal efficiency, and style are Composite, uPVC and Aluminium.
- Composite doors can give the appearance of traditional timber doors and combine strength, durability, aesthetics, insulation and versatility.
- uPVC doors offer superior insulation & weather resistance and are a low maintenance option.
- Aluminium doors combine sleek, modern looks, strength, and are thermally efficient.
Ultimately, your choice of door depends on your personal taste and the style of your house. Once you’ve chosen the material, style and colour there are more choices to be made: what kind of door frame and threshold? Do you need reinforced glass, decorative glass, or plain glass? Then there’s the door accessories and furniture: handles, hinges, letterplates, and your choice of locking system.
Energy Efficiency and Thermal Performance
There’s a general rule about houses: “If you can see through it, or walk through it, it’s probably losing you heat and money”. But modern insulation will help reduce heating bills, while making your home cosy – winter and summer.
If you’re opting for a door with glass panels, choosing double glazed or triple glazed is important. A well-insulated door frame can prevent heat loss through a front door and the glass will bring natural light into your entrance hall.
Choosing a door with a lower U-value will give you the most energy-efficient option. Composite front doors offer excellent U-values.
Well maintained doors function better and last longer – and the good news is, composite, uPVC, and Aluminium are all low-maintenance.
Security Features and Door Furniture
Security is everyone’s top priority. Traditional mortice and night-latch locks secure the door to the frame at a single point, which will not deter an experienced intruder. A multi-point locking system will anchor the door in several places.
Robust handles and hinges are also important for security. Other fixtures, letter boxes, locks, knobs, knockers, and so on – are more a matter of personal taste.
Find out more about choosing a secure front door.
Types of Doors
Doors come in many styles – traditional, contemporary, rustic, Georgian – so you’re sure to find one that suits the look and location of your home.
While composite doors offer a wide range of styles and applications, some situations require a different approach. Aluminium doors, for example, are more suitable in more modern architectural settings, or where there is more glazing.
Some people choose timber doors for their timeless authenticity, particularly in older homes, but the trade-off can be lower security and higher maintenance. On balance, uPVC, Composite doors or Aluminium doors win on durability, security, low maintenance, and cost.
Aluminium Options
Aluminium is often seen in more modern settings and in glazed doors. Its superior strength allows a narrower length of aluminium to carry more weight than a similar length of another material. In a glazed door, for example, where you want to admit the maximum amount of sunlight, aluminium means more glass, less frame.
The advantages don’t end there. The narrower profile in aluminium also facilitates design innovation, greater versatility, and more scope for customized designs, with double and triple glazing options and polyamide thermal breaks used to ensure efficient thermal performance.
It’s important to review your options on the material before settling on a door. By balancing your design needs and your budget, with your lifestyle and the style of your building, you will arrive at the perfect entry door to express your taste, style and welcome.
Best Front Door Options
The best front door is the one that makes you feel secure, comfortable, on budget, and proud of your home.
Start your search with composite doors as there are a great many styles and variations, all of them high on durability, energy savings, economy and security.
Consider the architectural style of your home. It’s important to choose a style that complements it rather than clashes with it.
How much maintenance will it require? Wooden doors can look beautiful but require regular maintenance to prevent rot. Composite, uPVC and Aluminium doors are all low-maintenance.
Make sure you choose an energy-efficient door that offers you the peace of mind that comes with multi-point locking and other optional security features, such as laminated glass.
For a house to be proud of, think: Material, Style, Insulation, Security, Durability and Low-maintenance.
Conclusion
There’s more to choosing a perfect front door than you might have thought. Whichever material you choose, you will find a front door that makes you proud every time you step into your home.
Here are some things to ask yourself:
- What maintenance is involved? Will you have to strip and repaint it regularly?
- Is it energy efficient? What is it’s U-value? Will your energy bill go down or up
- Will you feel secure? What type of lock does it have? Mortice or a multi-point?
- Is it durable? Is it tough enough to handle the rough and tumble of daily use?
- Consider your glass options. For example, should you consider laminated glass?
Take a bit of time to consider your options. There’s a lot of information online but often it really helps to consult the professionals. They have probably helped people with exactly the same needs as you.
What’s next?
So, what is the first step toward your new front door?
Your first move is to see what’s available by viewing websites and brochures. This will inspire you to create a vision for the door you want. You’ll find a comprehensive range of options, backed by useful information, on senatorwindows.ie/all-doors/
Looking at the options will also raise questions, so your next step is to contact your local Senator Dealer. They have years of experience installing all kinds of doors into old, new, large and small houses, so they’ll be able to help you find the right door.
What’s more, there has never been a better time to upgrade your windows and doors with the introduction of SEAI stand-alone window and door grants of up to €5600 (T&C apply). SEAI stand-alone window and door grants are now available for eligible homeowners, making it the ideal time to become more energy efficient and upgrade your outdated windows and doors. Our SEAI window and door grant guide explains what’s involved.
Working with Senator gives you four decades of innovation, the experience that comes with over a million installations, a friendly face, and a safe pair of hands. Your Senator representatives will help you find an entrance door in the right style, that adds curb appeal, increases energy efficiency, and requires minimal cleaning – whether you live in a traditional property or a modern home. Locate your nearest Senator Showroom and arrange a visit, so you can meet your future door in person. In the meantime, try the Senator door designer and visualiser.
