Anyone working on a home, whether it’s a self-build or a restoration project, understands the significance of selecting the right doors to match the interior space. The doors you choose can have a significant impact on the look and feel of your home. However, choosing the perfect design is only half the battle. There are many factors to consider, which is why we’ve created this list of the 7 best:
Select the most suitable material for your environment
When choosing a new door, many homeowners overlook the weather conditions in their area. The best door for your home can keep your home insulated year-round, while also keeping drafts out. Aluminium, PVC and wood are the most common materials for exterior doors. At least two of these materials will be used in most contemporary door systems. Wood doors have a high-end look, but need to be varnished or painted regularly to maintain their appearance. Aluminium and PVC doors are both adaptable and cost-effective, and are available in a range of wood-look treatments with excellent weather resistance and security. Fibreglass doors are fast becoming the most popular type of exterior door.
Pay attention to the design of the window you want
You may want to replace an old door with one that is similar in style and design. However, there’s nothing stopping you from doing the opposite. Instead, you can choose a replacement window with a completely different design to update the look of your home. Here are the types of door styles we offer:
- Balcony door
- Entry door
- Interior door
What’s more, each of these doors can be configured to suit your desire for one of the shapes seen in the photo below:
Insulation and energy efficiency
Although an aluminium or PVC entrance door offers the best protection from the outside, air leakage around the door accounts for a considerable percentage of heat loss. To avoid leakage, the quality of your door frame is just as important as the quality of the door itself. The seal of your new door should make a tight seal all the way around, and the sill should interlock securely with the bottom edge of the door.
Fitting
This is undoubtedly one of the most important factors to consider when buying interior doors. What method will be used to install them?
If you will be using conventional hinges, consider which direction the door will open. Normally, an interior door opens into a room, but there are times when this is not the case. If you have the space, a pair of doors creates a great feature. What about pocket door systems if you don’t have any? The doors are closed into the wall cavity while open, which is a wonderful space-saving innovation. Folding doors are another great option for wardrobes and bathrooms with limited space.
Security
The locking mechanism is the most important component of your door’s security; most door materials perform equally well in terms of strength. Your door lock should be at least one inch long and fitted with a metal strike plate. If the door you choose has glass elements, make sure they are glazed and have certifications for both bullet and shatter resistance.
Accessibility
When looking for a new door, consider moving furniture and other large items and make sure the door you choose is wide enough to allow these items to pass through easily if necessary. Alternatively, if you expect older members of your family to join you in the future, make sure your exterior doors are wide enough to allow a wheelchair access.
Color
Consider the environment and aesthetics of your community, as well as the design of your own home, before choosing a color for your door. Painting doors black when they are exposed to direct sunlight, for example, can cause problems in the future as black absorbs heat.