When it comes to replacing your front door, you have a number of options. Not only are there different styles, there are also a variety of materials that front doors are constructed from.
One type of material, which is gaining in popularity, is (uPVC) unplasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride. Doors made from uPVC have a clean, modern and stylish look, and door installers consider them to be safe and secure.
Before looking at the advantages of uPVC, let’s first look at two of the most popular alternatives for replacement front doors.
Front door alternatives
Wood is among the most common material for manufacturers of front doors. They are also usually the most expensive, although doors that are built up in layers, rather than solid wood, can be a good budget choice. Older wooden doors, especially external ones, needed regular maintenance and were prone to warp out of shape, making them the least energy efficient. Today however the wooden door is made from a more durable wood so it requires less maintenance making it a good alternative.
Steel is one of the cheaper options when considering a new front door. They are energy efficient and offer good insulation. They can feel cold or hot to the touch, dependent upon the weather. Steel doors require less maintenance than some wooden doors, though they are prone to dents and paint chips, which can often lead to rust. Steel doors are mostly constructed from a wooden or steel frame, and then covered with a steel skin, that usually has a polyester finish, which can then be painted.
Choosing a uPVC door offers you the best of both. A good quality uPVC door will be a cheaper option than a wooden door, and although more expensive than a metal one, it offers a number of advantages over both.
- uPVC doors are virtually maintenance free. Wooden doors can require regular sanding down and painting, and steel doors need any dents and damage to be filled, and treated to stop rust. An uPVC door will require little more than a regular wipe with a damp cloth, to remove grime. uPVC door manufacturers are so confident in their product they will often come with a long guarantee, even up to ten years, before they start to wear.
- uPVC doors can be skinned, covered with a decorative polyester finish, to create the effect of a wooden door or a color of your choosing. You can still have the pleasing aesthetics of wood, but none of the disadvantages.
- A uPVC door is very energy efficient, as it fits snugly in to the frame, killing all drafts. These doors do not warp, so will continue to keep heat in and cold out.
- Security is a major advantage for an uPVC front door, as they stronger than other types of doors. They are mostly made from a galvanized steel frame, that is covered with an uPVC outer layer, and an added multiple lock frame to improve security.
We have shown you why you should fit an uPVC door. Not only can it look as good as a wooden door, it can also be as secure as a steel one. When it comes to choosing your new front door, choose the one giving you all the advantages of uPVC.