Front/external door need advice

perfecta1

Hi

I need a new front doors and I am struggling to choose between oak and composite doors.

Can anyone give me some advice which one are the best in terms of thermal efficiency?

Any good manufacturers?

leveller2911

Composite will be low maintenance, Solid Oak will require more maintenance.Do you mean solid Oak or Oak Vaneered doors.Solid Oak will last 100yrs,Composite 20-30yrs and Oak Vaneered will probably be 15-20yrs ..

Solid Oak will go black at first and then a silvery grey, there is no way of stopping this as it contains tanic acid.Its not a fault and it would not affect its durability but you won't keep that nice new oak look to the outside, the inside will stay looking new.

perfecta1

I was thinking about solid oak doors painted with special paint (not stained)

I do not mind the cost of maintanance; most important for me is which doors won't let the cold get through to the house.

Furts

Cannot put proof to hand but my instinct is a composite door would be better insulated than oak - it is what I have done, if that matters!

If that is your choice do due diligence on the composite door manufacturer. I am sure someone will shoot me down for this but composite doors are a trendy growth market. Just be sure of exactly who makes the profile, who makes the slab, where the two are fabricated, what standard is achieved, what quality of ironmongery is offered, is it secured by design?(if you want this), is it triple glazed ?(if you want this) , is the guarantee worthwhile? etc.

perfecta1

the biggest problem with doors is that non of the manufacturers' websites don't include information about technical parameters

The only websites where I found such information is http://www.rockdoor.com/ and http://www.distinctivedoors.co.uk/products/346-brookland-oak

leveller2911

perfecta1 wrote: »

the biggest problem with doors is that non of the manufacturers' websites don't include information about technical parameters

The only websites where I found such information is
http://www.distinctivedoors.co.uk/products/346-brookland-oak

This is very true as most websites don't want the consumer to know the full details and so make an informed choice. The websites you linked are better than most but even they post links to the tech info as a very small link at the bottom as though they don't want you to find it.Warranty info should always be easily accessed but I struggle to find it more often than not and even then its always vague.


Personally I wouldn't entertain an "engineered" external door as I have seen far too many de-laminate and if under warranty they will provide a new door but not the labour to fit it.If the OP can stretch to it solid Oak will be much better than engineered but at a premium.If people see an egineered Oak door (which contains probably less than 5% real Oak) at £490-00 rather than £1,200-£1,800 for a bespoke solid Oak door many would obviously go with the former thinking its the better spec but its not its down to profit margins.

I think the choice also depends on the house and whether or not the design and age warrants a solid Oak door or composite, if its post 60,s I would go for a composite and pre war solid Oak.

perfecta1

my house is post 60s, made with dark, brownish brick so I think composite doors would not look so bad. I did some quotes and Rockdoor composit doors cost around 1000-1200 pounds (!) I know that it is not much for a good doors but I've just moved to the new house and have other expenses so try to save but not at the cost of quality.



I forgot to mention that doors are going to be exposed for sun in sunny days at least for half a day if not more so I don't want to have problems with closing/opening. I read some websites where people complained for oak doors (they tend to "change" size)

leveller2911

perfecta1 wrote: »

I forgot to mention that doors are going to be exposed for sun in sunny days at least for half a day if not more so I don't want to have problems with closing/opening. I read some websites where people complained for oak doors (they tend to "change" size)

Changes in temperature/humidity can affect solid Oak, once acclimatised solid Oak would be fine.If ,as you say it will be exposed to direct sunlight for a good proportion of the day I would go for a composite door but just make sure you check/adhere to the warranty.Personally I wouldn't go for engineered external doors,internal doors should not pose the same problems as external.

Furts

Good advice being given.

A problem that has existed with composite doors is sunlight both fading the skin and cracking ( typically in stressed areas such as below the glazing, as far as I can ascertain). Dark colours have been worse and I am aware of a dark blue door that has been replaced twice.

The current fashion for black does not help. Neither does modern building practice where the concept of a porch has either been forgotten or is half hearted. Think 1930 porch and entrance - this is one reason original doors still survive. (All doors in the British climate should have protection from strong sun and rain )

A safe option is a white door but this could be considered bland and similar to the now less fashionable upvc door.

Trust this helps. Warranties and quality could be a seperate post.

perfecta1

Furts wrote: »

Good advice being given.

A problem that has existed with composite doors is sunlight both fading the skin and cracking ( typically in stressed areas such as below the glazing, as far as I can ascertain). Dark colours have been worse and I am aware of a dark blue door that has been replaced twice.

I think that this is what happend with the old doors. there is horizontal crack just below the glazing.


So shall I stay with good oak doors? Is there any way to insulate them more?

leveller2911

perfecta1 wrote: »

I think that this is what happend with the old doors. there is horizontal crack just below the glazing.


So shall I stay with good oak doors? Is there any way to insulate them more?

For solid Oak, only if you have one made bespoke.You can have certain designs like tongue and groove made thicker with Celotex insulation sandwiched in between the boards.So in effect boards on the inside,boards on the outside and Celotex in between.

This is a good, the only down side is the door becomes thicker so you need a deeper rebate on the frame.The door can be as thick as 54mm or 57mm thick instead of the standard 44mm.You are limited to styles of doors you can do this with.