Choosing Your New Aluminium Front Door: A Comprehensive Guide
Choosing a new aluminium front door can feel like a daunting task. With so many styles, materials, and price ranges on the market, it’s easy to get overwhelmed. Your front door is more than just an entrance to your home —it’s a statement about your personality.
It’s the first thing family and friends will see as they arrive and one of the last things they’ll notice when they leave, so it’s important to give your front door equal importance when planning your new style to create a cohesive design.
Aluminium front doors are known for their sleek design, durability, and low maintenance. Fast becoming a top choice for homeowners looking to elevate their kerb appeal with a practical and safe entrance door.
We offer a range of aluminium front doors to suit your budget and design requirements. Our helpful guide will walk you through everything you need to know to make the right choice.
Table of Contents
- Is an aluminium front door the right material for you?
- What do you need to consider when choosing an aluminium front door?
- Pros and cons of choosing an aluminium entrance door
- How much does a new residential aluminium front door cost?
- Conclusion
Is an aluminium front door the right material for you?
When choosing a new front door for your property, you’ll likely consider options like uPVC or composite doors—both of which have their merits. uPVC doors are cost-effective and require little maintenance, while composite doors are manufactured using a mix of materials that balance insulation, durability, and aesthetic appeal.
However, when you need to provide long-term value, style, and strength, an aluminium front door stands out as the premium choice.
Aluminium doors offer unmatched durability, are resistant to warping and weathering, and can often have more scope for customisation with sleek, modern designs.
Compared to uPVC and composite doors, aluminium doors start at a higher initial cost, but as a long-term investment, it offers superior longevity, efficiency and security.
What do you need to consider when choosing an aluminium front door?
Thermal Efficiency
U-values measure how effective a door is at preventing heat loss. The lower the U-value, the better the door’s insulation.
At Exeter Trade Aluminium, we manufacture and supply a range of high-quality aluminium front doors with exceptional u-values. The ALUNA DS82 Aluminium Front Door is a fantastic example of a cost-effective option, with a hugely impressive U-Value of just 0.68 W/m2k.
Additionally, a door’s air tightness rating plays a crucial role in keeping draughts out. Class 4 is the highest air tightness rating to look out for. Wind load resistance is another consideration, especially in exposed locations, as it ensures your door won’t defect during high winds.
Security
We all want our homes to be secure, so looking out for PAS24 certification is essential. This UK standard ensures that doors comply with strict requirements for security and resistance to forced entry.
A PAS24-certified aluminium front door has undergone rigorous testing to withstand various break-in methods, including forced impacts and lock manipulation.
This certification guarantees that your door is built with high-quality locking systems and reinforced materials, offering peace of mind that your home is protected against unwanted intruders.
Hardware
Your front door is a key feature of your home’s aesthetic, so choose a door that gives you the level of customisation you desire.
Our range of doors have a variety of hardware and accessories options that will allow you to personalise your design to complement your property’s wider architectural style.
Choose from sleek pull bars, a traditional lever or a modern door knob. Choosing the perfect accessories for your door is a great opportunity to enhance the kerb appeal of your property.
Design
The design of your door can define the look of your home’s entrance.
Origin’s Residential Front Door is available in 10 different panel designs. You can also choose from either a silk, gloss or matt finish to match your property and reflect your style.
It’s important to consider a door that gives you the customisation to create that style, whether you prefer full glass panels, a flush finish or something more traditional.
The ALUNA Entrance Door range also comes with the option of adding additional elements like side or top light, to help you create your perfect desired finish.
Installation
Depending on the manufacturer, your front door of choice may only be available within specific size restrictions.
All doors manufactured and supplied by Exeter Trade Aluminium can be made to measure, bespoke to your job, within certain size parameters.
If you are unsure which front door would be best suited to the size you’re working with, don’t hesitate to contact our team who will be happy to help.
Pros and Cons of an Aluminium Front Door
Pros
- Durability: Aluminium doors are highly resistant to rust, warping, and weathering, ensuring a long lifespan.
- Sleek Design: Their slim frames and modern finishes add a contemporary edge to any property.
- Energy Efficiency: With advanced insulation features like low U-values and airtight seals, aluminium doors help reduce energy bills.
- Customisation: Available in a wide variety of colours, finishes, and styles, aluminium doors can be tailored to suit your home’s unique design.
Cons
- Price: Aluminium doors are a premium product, so their initial cost is going to reflect that versus its competitors. However, with their enhanced performance and long lifespan, this could still be a smart investment.
How much does a new residential aluminium front door cost?
The ALNUA DS82 is one of the most affordable aluminium front doors, which starts from £1,579 + VAT.
The price of an aluminium front door can vary depending on the brand, your size limitations and any customisation options you have included.
Compared to uPVC doors, this can be a considerable initial outlay, but with the improved styling, efficiency and security, it is becoming a justifiable investment for many homeowners.
Conclusion
Choosing the right front door is a significant decision, and an aluminium front door offers an exceptional balance of style, security, and durability.
While materials like uPVC and composite doors have their benefits, aluminium stands out as a premium option for homeowners searching for long-term value.
Browse our full gallery of aluminium front door installations on our website and if you see a product you like, why not visit our Exeter showroom?
Open to members of the public and the trade, Monday to Friday, we have a wide range of products on display for you to see and test.
Contact us today on 01392 537070 or email sales@exetertradealuminium.co.uk for more information.
