The entrance door you choose for your home has to satisfy many criteria, not only do you want it to look good and work in harmony with the style and design of the property, but it also needs to provide the highest levels of functionality when considering security, thermal efficiency, durability, and maintenance. Combined with a variety of material options and an ever-increasing choice of finishes and colours, choosing the right door can seem daunting.
Traditionally timbers doors have been the most fitted door in the UK, whilst offering good insulation properties, they do require constant maintenance to ensure that this natural product withstands the British weather and stays looking good. PVCu doors, popular with the replacement and commercial new build markets, score highly in thermal insulation but they can dis-colour and warp over time. However, recent developments in manufacturing techniques and material design have led to aluminium and steel doors seeing a steady increase in popularity in all sectors as they offer durability and resilience, together with high levels of performance.
Caring for the environment is increasingly important, so insulating a property has never been more relevant and choosing a thermally efficient front door will help reduce heat loss and save money on heating bills. All new doors can now be tested for their Energy efficiency and given a simple A-G rating. A high-performance insulated door will have a minimum energy rating of ‘C’ and above.
Current legislation also requires that all new doors sold and fitted in England & Wales must have a “U” value not exceeding 1.8 W/m²K and the lower level of 1.6 W/m²K applying in Scotland. The U-value of a door is a measurement of its thermal transmission properties, in other words how much heat is lost through the door. The lower the value, the more energy efficient it will be. The latest technological advances now see front doors manufactured from steel and aluminium being able to achieve U values as low as 0.87 W/m²K and 0.47 W/m²K, respectively.
To protect property against unwelcome intruders it is vital that the most advance locking and security systems are fitted, with minimum requirements complying with Building Regulations – Part Q. Entrance doors can be fitted with a high-security locking system and profile cylinders which protect against manipulation. Increased levels of security can be provided by fitting break-in resistance equipment manufactured and tested to the latest British and/or European standards.
The way your property is accessed should also be considered in terms of security and convenience. Although traditional keys are still commonly used, there are a wide range of systems that are now available on the market that offer unrivalled standards in usability and security, with Smart technology becoming increasingly popular. Radio finger scanners, keypads or remote-control transmitters are all designed to provide homeowners with exceptional levels of security, supported by apps which offers the ability to open the entrance door remotely throughout the property, whilst checking on the status of the door.
Popular door styles range from the elegantly classic to more contemporary designs and door manufacturers have been working hard to improve the overall look of front doors by offering concealed hinges, pivots and streamlined handles. An extensive choice of colours and finishes provides many opportunities to experiment with a splash of colour such as vibrant Flame red through to contemporary greys.
Some manufacturers such as Hörmann UK are now providing on-line Configurators which show an overview of all their designs and finishes and allow the end consumer to customise their door in just a few clicks. The selected door can then be seen in-situ by simply uploading an image of the façade of the property, truly providing self-builders with the chance to meet the individual design requirements of their project.
For further information on Hörmann UK’s Entrance Doors, call 01530 516880 or visit: www.hormann.co.uk/home-owners-and-renovators/doors/front-doors/