Why your front door choice matters
Your front door choice is a big decision - it isn’t just a way in and out. Security, energy efficiency and looks define any choice you make. The right front door can define how you, and others, feel about and look at your home.
Your front door is the main way in and out, so it needs to be strong and secure to give you and your family peace of mind. You also want a well-fitted door that provides great insulation, keeping the cold and noise out and keeping the heat in. A secure and energy efficient door makes a home feel safer, warmer and more cosy.
It’s also one of the easiest ways to show a bit of personality, it says something about your style and the way you want people to see your home. Some people change the colour but keep the style the same, while others change the style and colour at the same time. Whatever you decide, your choices can have a real impact on how you see your home, and can even effect property value.
Comparing Front Door Materials
In the UK, most front doors are made from three materials: composite, uPVC, and timber. You can get aluminium front doors as well, but aluminium is more common for back doors like sliding patio or bifold doors. Here's a breakdown of the strengths and weaknesses of each door material.
Composite doors: the modern gold standard
Composite doors are the most popular in the UK, and for good reason. They’re built from a mix of materials, usually with a solid core and a tough outer layer. This makes them strong and durable with great insulation properties.
Strengths;
- High security features
- Strong, solid feel
- Long-lasting
- Low maintenance
- Wide variety of styles
- Very good at insulation
- Weather resistant
- Won't rot or warp
Weaknesses;
- More expensive than uPVC
- Heavy
- Quality varies by manufacturer
- To change colour, you have to change door
- Colour options vary by manufacturer
The outer layer is usually made of GRP, a strong, durable plastic like uPVC. The core is either solid timber or a layered mix of different materials. This core makes the door very good at keeping the heat in and the cold out. The solid core and strong outer shell makes composite doors stronger and more secure.
Security is a key part of composite doors. Not only are they strong but many come with sophisticated locking options. We fit ours with Ultion 3-star rated cylinder locks, one of the strongest and most secure cylinder locks on the market.
Safestyle’s composite front doors are designed for long-term performance, making them a popular “fit and forget” option. There is a huge difference between different types of composite doors available from supply only companies. With a supply and fit company like Safestyle, you can be sure that the door you get does everything you need it to, with the added peace of mind of professional installation.
uPVC doors: durable, versatile, and budget-friendly
Modern uPVC doors come in a wide range of finishes, including woodgrain effects that look far more premium than you might expect. They’re tough, weather-resistant, and very low maintenance. If you want something reliable that does the job without stretching the budget, uPVC front doors are a solid choice.
Strengths;
- Durable and long-lasting
- Huge range of style options
- Strong insulation properties
- Affordable option
- Lightweight
- Great security features
- Weather resistant
- Low maintenance
- Won't rot or warp
Weaknesses;
- Less durable than composite doors
- Less strong than composite and timber
- Can look less premium
- Colour options vary by manufacturer
- Style options vary by manufacturer
- Quality varies by manufacturer
- Have to change door to change colour
- Less variety than Composite doors
uPVC is a strong, durable material that lasts upwards of 20 years. They are very durable and weather resistant and won't flake or rot over time. They are low-maintenance by design so just keep them clean to keep them looking and working their best.
uPVC is also very good at insulating. Ours have multichambered design and thermal breaks to maximise insulation.
As for security, uPVC doors are a great all rounder. They offer multipoint locking around the frame and plenty of lock options. We fit ours with Yale 3-star rated cylinder locks and our uPVC front doors are Secured by Design Accredited.
Traditional timber: the heritage aesthetic
There’s no denying the appeal of real wood. Timber front doors have a weight, texture, and character that’s hard to replicate. You can paint or stain them to suit your style, and they can look fantastic when well cared for.
It is worth pointing out that we don't offer timber doors at Safestyle.
Strengths;
- Traditional, premium appearance
- Strong and very durable
- Long lifespan (with care)
- Good insulation properties
- Can be repainted
- Colour options almost endless
- Repairable
- Perfect for conservation areas
Weaknesses;
- Upfront cost can be prohibitive
- High maintenance
- Susceptible to rot and decay
- Weather sensitivity
- Can warp, can swell
- Maintenance costs are ongoing - more than uPVC and composite
- Less style choices than other materials
Timber front doors are the best choice for period homes, especially if you're in a conservation area. They are strong, durable and if you look after them they can last decades.
Timber doors can have more lock options than uPVC or composite doors. Common choices are a classic 5-lever mortice or more modern cylinder locks. In addition you can add internal or external blots for added security.
Wood is a bad conductor of heat, which makes it perfect as a door material. It is very hard for warm or cold air to pass through it. A door that's good at insulating means your home feels warmer in winter and cooler in summer.
Front Door Styles
Once you’ve picked your material, it's time for the fun part - style. The style you pick can match your property or it can stand as a statement of your own style. The styles below are the styles we offer, but they are pretty similar to what you'd find across the internet.
- Traditional: This style covers the majority of doors you find on homes built before the 1960s. This covers a lot of periods like the Victorian era, Edwardian and 1930s periods too. If you want to match your home's style it's worth trying to match your new door to the original or looking up homes from the same era to get an idea of the look you need.
A lot of these doors have solid designs but there are plenty of glazed options too. Once you've chosen the style, the right colour can really set you apart. Keep it classic with white woodgrain or be bolder with a Ruby Red or Peacock Blue.
- Contemporary: This style is all about a modern, stylish look for a huge range of homes. Think sharp lines, dynamic design and neutral colours like Anthracite Grey. Brushed satin finish long bar handles are a popular choice here, but a classic chrome door handle can work just as well.
The majority of contemporary doors have glass included. Designs tend to feature squares or diamonds but you can also choose nearly full height panels. These modern doors are perfect when you want to make a statement and stand out on the street.
- Cottage: As the name suggests, cottage doors offer a cosy, country cottage aesthetic. They tend to be composite or timber, with the emphasis on looking like an old wooden door. These doors create the look of several wooden boards, imitating traditional craftmanship.
There are glazed options within Cottage ranges, sometimes a single small diamond or half glazed. To really emphasise the country cottage feel, choose colours like Sage Green or Duck Egg Blue. Finish things off with black heritage-style handles and letterplates.
If you want a bit more guidance, this guide on how to choose the best front door is a great next step.
Types of Front Doors FAQs
The best type of front door really depends on what you're looking for. Different doors offer different things, and it depends where you get them too. The main choice is around material. Composite doors are often the top pick for their strength, low maintenance and the fact that they're the best long-term investment. uPVC doors offer great value and are easy to look after. Timber doors look fantastic on period homes but need more upkeep to stay in good shape.
The first thing to do is identify what your door is made of. uPVC doors are usually smooth or slightly textured. Composite doors feel heavier and more solid, often with a woodgrain effect. Timber doors are made from real wood and may show natural grain or signs of ageing over time. The next thing is to identify the style of door you have. What age is your property and is the door original? If the door isn't original, does it match the style of the property, or is it a different design? After you've answered all those questions you have to decide what you want to replace it with.
Composite doors are generally one of the most secure options thanks to their solid build and compatibility with modern locks. That said, security also depends on the frame, locking system, and how well the door is installed. Both our uPVC and composite doors come with multipoint locking and 3-star cylinder locks.
Double glazed, toughened or laminated glass is usually the best option. Frosted or patterned glass is popular as it lets light in while maintaining privacy. The best glass for your property might also depend on whether you want to replicate existing period windows. Think about whether you want to add light, but keep privacy, or whether you want to add a decorative touch.