A new front door has the power to transform your home and generate an incredible very first impression for visitors. Having said that, it pays to do your research effectively beforehand - selecting the wrong size or style could prove an high priced and time-consuming mistake.

There are actually several elements to bear in mind when picking out a door, like size, style, building, material, budget and accessories.

Size

Off-the-shelf doors is often located within a selection of regular well known sizes. They are generally classified by width, and range from 30" to 36". In case your frame does not conform to a typical size you may have the ability to trim the door to match; several wooden doors could be decreased by up to 12mm along every single edge.

In some situations you could be greater off acquiring a total door set, which consists of a frame and matching door. This can be a particularly good move for those who have an older property, exactly where the original frame may have warped or perhaps cracked over time. Alternatively, you could decide to pay a bit more and possess the door made to measure.

Design and style

As the front door will set the tone for the entire household, it is essential to opt for a style and colour in maintaining using the overall architectural style. An ornate panelled and glazed door would suit a Victorian or Edwardian property, for instance, whereas clean, minimalist lines are usually the very best choice for modern residences. This applies to other fittings for example door handles and letter boxes also.

Construction

The way the door has been constructed plays a portion as well. Less expensive dowel doors are created from kiln-dried wood that has been assembled using fluted dowels (small wooden pegs) and adhesive. Premium M&T (mortice and tenon) doors are manufactured from specially selected kiln-dried timber and put together making use of traditional mortice and tenon joints and adhesive for superior weather-proofing properties.

Material

The most common type of natural material used in external doors is timber, particularly oak, pine and hemlock. Solid timber is prone to cracking and warping more than time, so nowadays most wooden doors are manufactured from engineered timber. This is made by gluing together small sections of wood to form a multi-layered construction which is stronger and far more stable than solid timber. The components are covered in wood veneer afterwards - a process which ensures matching colour and grain across the door panels.

Engineered timber is better for the environment, because the manufacturing process produces significantly less waste. However, unless the door is supplied ready-finished you will have to coat it with paint or a high performance wood stain to weather-proof the surface, and re-treat it on a regular basis.

Composite door sets created from fibreglass are becoming increasingly well-known. Designed to resemble timber, they are manufactured from a mixture of glass fibres and resin and are supplied total with a steel and PVC reinforced frame. Weather resistant and low maintenance, these doors come within a selection of colours, require no protective treatment and provide a realistic-looking alternative to timber versions. They are also lighter than wooden doors, making them easier to hang, and will not warp or split.

Another low maintenance option is PVC. This heavy-duty plastic is still widely used for sliding patio doors, but is much less favoured for front doors nowadays due to its relatively flimsy building and synthetic appearance.