The replacement of any major fixture in the home is not something taken lightly; the substantial expenditure demands proper research, planning and even a bit of haggling. The task of replacing your doors is no different; a crucial element in the overall aesthetic look of your property, they should look good while being secure and long-lasting. In days gone by, the choices would have been fairly limited, but in today’s marketplace, there are many different designs, styles and materials being used in both front and rear doors. We’ll investigate how to find a great supplier, the manufacturing materials and their characteristics, and what factors demand your attention.
Finding A Supplier
Unless you’ve had a recommendation from someone you trust or know an existing supplier navigating your way through the multitude of doors suppliers can seem daunting; prior to any search, think about what type of door you might want, what material or style and any design feature you want. When you’ve done that, a great next step is an internet search, using your favoured type in ‘Aluminium door installations Oxford‘, obviously substituting your local area and any door characteristics you want. Take some time and view some of the websites listed in your search, make notes of any products you like and try to finalise a shortlist of suppliers. Cross-referencing any potential supplier with consumer websites is also a great next step; Trustpilot and Feefo both will give you an idea of how well their previous customers rate the installer. Once that is done, you’re ready to start making contact and initialising the selection and design process before making that big decision.
Manufacturing Materials
Historically doors were made from hardwoods such as pine or oak; now, the choice is much more varied, with modern high-performance doors offering great standards of strength, security, energy efficiency and lifespan. Let’s look at the different materials –
- Timber – this natural insulator is a traditional choice; doors made from wood are strong but may need more maintenance than other materials; if choosing wood, make sure it is treated and guaranteed for a long period of time; it can also be expensive.
- Upvc – doors made from this material are long-lasting and require very little maintenance; they are also budget-friendly and a great insulator. Upvc is not eco-friendly as it isn’t recyclable and ends up in a landfill.
- Aluminium – Is increasingly being used in windows and doors it’s strength is excellent, as is its thermal efficiency; fully recyclable, and it’s a superb choice for modern doors.
- Composite is a mixture of materials developed to give an excellent performance; a modern invention, they feature triple glazing as standard.
Modern locking technology means all doors have excellent security features, including smart keyless locks, toughened glass, and hook bolts as options.
Design Choices
Have decided which materials to use, it is time to choose a door style, solid or glazed panels, and what type of finish you want on your door; take some time in the design process, and use the supplier’s experience. Their advice is worth listening to as they can advise on the best examples to suit the style of your home; you can then progress to making your final design decisions.
I hope this short piece has given you a good idea of what is available, and you can approach the project of replacing your doors with confidence.
