Which door types are most durable?

Monday, 15 November 2021

If you are refurbishing the exterior of your home, windows and doors are a crucial element. You may have read a lot about how to choose durable window materials, but what about your doors? From front doors to back doors to patio doors, you use the entrances to your home every day. Here, we look at which door types are most durable.

What makes a door durable?

True durability comes down to more than simply staying in one piece come what may. This plays a part, yes, but so does the performance and aesthetic appeal of the door. So which factors combine to make this part of your home durable in every sense of the word?

Material

Let’s start with the material that your door is manufactured from. Budget does have a bearing here in the choices that you make. However, remember that in choosing a durable door, you will make a lasting investment in your home.

Timber

Wood is the traditional material of a front door. When looked after consistently, wood will actually increase in durability with age. However, this material also requires a lot of maintenance to remain durable.

Composite

For a lifetime of period style without the maintenance, go for a wood effect composite material. The Residence 9 range is known for its authenticity, even within conservation areas.

Aluminium

As an affordable and sustainable material, aluminium remains a popular choice for front doors. It’s also anti corrosive, expected to last up to 45 years.

uPVC

Requiring no maintenance, uPVC will withstand the elements for up to 35 years. This is why both doors and windows in this material are so widely used.

Glass

Toughened and engineered glass make the external doors to homes both thermally efficient and significantly secure. So from panelling to full paned doors, glass is no longer a weak point.

Trends

Choose between a classic door style and a trending door styles. Or perhaps somewhere in the middle. Whatever your personal tastes, take time to sanity check that the door style you choose isn’t something that will date quickly.

Extra wide doors

Many refurbishment projects are using any additional width in a hallway to add either double or extra wide front doors. This may be a trend, but it’s likely to stick around due to the practical benefits.

Minimalist lines

Clear minimal lines remain on trend, but can be tricky to achieve in a durable way. For glazing and panelling, avoid small panels and go for full length grooves. Reflect these lines with long stainless-steel pull bars. Trends for contemporary front door glazing features unfussy angles and smooth lines.

Colours

Balance trends for colour with durable lasting style. While current taste is for pops of colour, remember that this could date. Follow the lead of your home - try neutrals and pastels if the brickwork is bright, for example.

Energy Rating

Longevity is one thing, and eco performance another. Both play a part in which door types are most durable. The better the energy rating of your door, the more it will continue to pay back your investment in the years to come.

Wood

Wood is fundamentally eco-friendly and has the lowest heat conductivity of any door material. In this way, wood is the most insulating material. However, don’t forget the maintenance required, since damaged or rotting wood clearly drops in energy efficiency.

uPVC

uPVC is high performing in all of the areas required by building regulations. The material is energy efficient, has great soundproofing properties and is extremely secure. Alongside all this, there is no maintenance required.

Composite

The energy efficiency of composite products tends to sit around a U-value of just 0.8. This means that thermal insulation is excellent. This is great for how well the door ‘pays for itself’ through the longevity of its performance.

Aluminium

Aluminium framed doors perform extremely well in energy efficiency. Green projects use this material as it’s easily recycled, so the energy required to manufacture it is more sustainable.

Glass

Multiple glazed products contain an inert gas such as argon, which is heavier than the surrounding air. This is incredibly effective at retaining heat. In addition, low emissivity, or low-E, glass can be as much as 40% more efficient.

Practicality

From little details to full renovation planning, your lifestyle should be reflected in the doors that you choose. So, what should you be thinking about here to ensure durability of use?

Size

Depending on your property and budget, this may be beyond your control. However, for renovations and front extensions, you may opt to have a larger, or double, front door. This will make a huge difference for daily use with large or busy households.

Security

Of course, the function of front and rear doors must provide sufficient security for your household. Having said that, if you’re inclined to lock yourself out, you may want to choose a product that doesn’t automatically lock on closing!

Light

For smaller hallways or north facing frontage properties, remember your front door can increase the natural light in the space. So, increasing the glazing panels in your front door can change the feel of your home long term.

Budget

Of course, budget cannot be ignored! But you may be surprised at what can be achieved within cost limitations. So, it is worth talking to your contractor or supplier to explore the options available to you.

Front to Back

Of course, the material that you choose for your front door may be different to the material that you choose at the rear of the property. You will likely be selecting either, or both, a back entrance door and patio doors. There are considerations that you should bear in mind here.

Continuity

It’s important to maintain the aesthetic flow of your home. So, if you have a uPVC front door, it makes sense to continue this through your windows and back doors.

Security

Heavily glazed rear doors do not necessarily mean compromising security. Toughened engineered glass is now extremely durable, and the manufacture of panes within door frames is highly secure.

Function

If your exterior doors don’t fit with your lifestyle, they’ll become an irritant. So, for the rear of your home, consider opening styles like bi-fold, sliding or French doors.

All well-manufactured doors should be durable in both performance and aesthetics. For informed help in making your decision, just contact us at Bill Butters Windows and Doors.

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