Advice needed on buying a Front Door

corduroy-boy

We need a new front door but are fairly clueless as to what to get and how much it should cost.

We were thinking a wooden one may be better (unless anyone thinks otherwise?), but how does everything get fitted (like the letter box and locks?). Is it better to buy all the components and get a carpenter to fit it, or go to a door stockist who installs too? What's a door likely to set us back with installation?

Any advice?

crankup

It's subjective I s'pose, - we chose a plastic one. Low maintenance (give it a sponge down twice a year!) and nearly all have multi-point locking.
A ballpark figure, £500 including fitting and removing the old door and frame.

OK_Sauce

Just remember when choosing your door, how much light a solid door will cut out. I wasn't keen on a fully glazed door. A Part-glazed door, in my opinion, is the best compromise.

coolagarry

Remember that apart from letting people in an out front doors should look good, give you security and help to keep your house warm (they can also let in extra light to dark hallways). INHO the best way of getting the above is with doubel glazed PVCU doors professionally fitted. I would get quotes from lots of company's doing doors in your local area (including small builders) and take it from there.

lolly5648

We went to a local door stockist. They were very knowledgeable and gave us advice about our existing door frame etc. They also advised on sizes of letter boxes, spyhole and door knocker. We got a solid wooden door with a top skylight to let light in. It came ready painted and we used the shop's fitter.

It might have cost a little bit more than the DIY shops but for the advice and help we received it was well worth it