Best type of front door?

Amazing_Amy · 3 February 2020 at 2:19PM

I'm struggling to decide what type of front door to buy. Our current one has cracked and let's in a draft and due to a recent incident we've realised is easy to open from the outside through the letterbox! So needless to say we're replacing it. But the question we're struggling to answer is with what?

Every option seems to be flawed.

The door will be east facing. Due to living opposite an allotment it will get a lot of wind at times and we're on the south coast so at times it will be exposed to a lot of sun.

We had decided on composite and have had three quotes ranging from about £1350 - £1650.

The problem is having read online reviews of Doorstop and Solidor we're now worried this may not be money well spent. We've ruled out Doorstop. But Solidor seem to have issues too especially with water ingress, bowing and also fading of the darker colours we'd prefer so we'd love some advice please.

We're in a 1930's house. Should we consider a wooden/timber front door like the original? Or are modern versions poor quality and no better than composite unless we double the budget (which we can't). Budget is around £1500 although as our first front door purchase we were a bit surprised it would have to be this big.

Advice appreciated. TIA.

onomatopoeia99 · 3 February 2020 at 5:37PM

Steel. The only flaw is the cost, as it's more expensive than PVCu, or composite, or wood.

I've got one made by Hormann, cost about twice what you've been quoted, though they had considerably cheaper options.

TELLIT01 · 3 February 2020 at 7:53PM

Composite or uPvc should be more weather resistant than a timber door. The seal between door and frame should also make them less liable to suffer from draughts.

You can get security locks to fit at the top and bottom of uPvc doors in addition to the 'normal' lock.
I'm assuming you have a thumblatch lock on the inside of the door so you don't need to use a key to lock from inside. We were actually advised against them for the reason you outline. Get a lock fitted which requires a key on the inside, but remember not to leave the key in the lock. That's certainly the cheapest option.

savemoney · 3 February 2020 at 8:10PM

Wow big profit for doors. I got a composite door last year not off the shelf has extras and paid less than £700, fitted it with builder didn't take long at all to fit, 2 hours tops. I did most of the work as well. I got mine from a local supplier that sells to trade had to wait about 2 1/2 weeks to delivery though and did measuring myself. Its solid door no drafts and its a dark grey colour. The locks are good to made by ATK

peachyprice · 3 February 2020 at 8:42PM

TELLIT01 wrote: »

I'm assuming you have a thumblatch lock on the inside of the door so you don't need to use a key to lock from inside. We were actually advised against them for the reason you outline. Get a lock fitted which requires a key on the inside, but remember not to leave the key in the lock. That's certainly the cheapest option.

How would you get out in an emergency?

RelievedSheff · 3 February 2020 at 9:19PM

We replaced the hardwood front door in our old house with a composite door and it made a big difference to the temperature in the hallway.

We paid £800 for that one installed and manufactured by a local company. It was a good quality door.

Our new build has a composite door by IG Doors which is not a patch on the door in our previous property. In fact we are on the second door now due to several failed repairs to the first one!

RelievedSheff · 3 February 2020 at 9:20PM

Forgot to add our new build door came with a thumb turn for the front door but has a guard so it can't be turned through the letterbox.

Amazing_Amy · 4 February 2020 at 12:44AM

Thank you everyone. We want supply and fit especially due to reading about all the problems people can have with composite but for the savings I can see why you'd buy trade and get a builder to fit it. We did originally try to convince the builder in our family to fit one for us but despite being willing to do most DIY he won't do front doors. I'm kind of surprised no one is saying timber. Steel, composite or UPVC it is.

peachyprice · 4 February 2020 at 9:38AM

Amazing_Amy wrote: »

Thank you everyone. We want supply and fit especially due to reading about all the problems people can have with composite but for the savings I can see why you'd buy trade and get a builder to fit it. We did originally try to convince the builder in our family to fit one for us but despite being willing to do most DIY he won't do front doors. I'm kind of surprised no one is saying timber. Steel, composite or UPVC it is.

We bought our own door and surround online then got a carpenter friend to fit it. Ours is Doorstop and has been no trouble at all. Maybe because we bought the whole shebang, door, frame, glass side panel? It arrived with the door locked in the frame.

We went with the thumb turn, no handle on the outside just a key hole. The glass panel is on the opposite side to the lock and the letter box it at the bottom, no way would anyone be able to put their arm through to open it or reach it if they broke the glass.

I won't use any locks that need keys inside the house, even my windows are always unlocked unless we're away, I'm too worried about not being able to get out in a fire.

roddydogs · 4 February 2020 at 10:35AM

Yes but someone will post that it will invalidate your insurance if they are not locked.

barbedhook · 4 February 2020 at 10:51AM

I have just had a new composite door fitted by a local firm it cost £900 it took about 2 hours to fit and I am very pleased with it. Your quotes seem quite high I would try getting a few more and try haggling for a discount. The firm I used took all the rubbish and old door away i would definitely go for a composite door my neighbour had a pvc door fitted but in summer when we get full sun on it he has difficulty opening and locking it as it expands with the heat