Door buying guide
An in depth guide for buying and installing new door frames
Suitable for homeowners, business owners and commercial spaces.
Fabricating quality windows and doors across the UK
Door Buying Guide
With front doors being one of the first things you see and internal doors offering a modern and convenient addition, buying new doors for a home, workplace or commercial property is important for a number of reasons.
From choosing your finish to adding extra security features, there is a number of different styles to choose from. Our guide will cover everything from door styles and designs to maintenance and repair work.
What our guide will cover
Although choosing a door frame might seem like a simple task, there are a number of things you’ll need to consider to ensure it’s right for the property and the user. Our guide will cover all of the below, plus give you an insight into how ABS could cater for your refurbishment needs.
- How to choose the right door type
- Different door styles
- Why you need aluminium doors
- Locks and security features
- FAQs
- ABS aluminium doors
Things to consider
What you need to know before buying your new door
Before making any large purchase or adding a new addition to your property, it’s crucial to ask all the important questions and think about all the finer details.
Thinking about these key points beforehand will save time and possibly even money in the long run. Here are some key points to consider before buying your doors.
- Style and design: Like most external and internal additions, doors can come in a range of different styles, some more modern and some more classic. Making this decision will come down to the existing frames and the look you’re going for.
- Materials: There are a range of different materials on the market, all of which offer different benefits.
- Colours and finishings
- Security features: With front and door back doors especially, you will need to consider the levels of security needed and how you’d like these to be installed.
- Maintenance and repair work
- Checking any obligations or regulations
- Energy efficiency: Check which door frames offer greater efficiency.
- Add ons and guarantee
Get in touch with any door enquiries and our team will be happy to help!
Door styles and frame designs
The different door styles
Typically fit to match your window frames and exterior, doors are one of the first things a visitor will see, meaning they must look aesthetically pleasing and fit into your space. Although they all function the same way, doors are designed and manufactured in a number of ways, offering a diverse range of shapes and sizes, and the possibilities really are endless. Whether you’re looking for something modern or a classic arched approach, here are just some of the most common door frames used for homes and commercial properties.
Composite Doors
Typically used for homes and commercial usage such as hotels or pubs, composite doors are one of the most popular styles used in the UK. Crafted from a combination of materials and bespoke design, these doors are strong, thick and durable. Composite doors have been purposely created to replace older, less efficient front doors and provide valuable benefits such as longevity, security, thermal efficiency and a low maintenance finish.
Arch Doors
Providing a more classic look, arched doors are the perfect addition to any period property or building looking for a bit of character. This door type is generally used for front or back doors and offers a more original approach that still offers core benefits as well as curb appeal. Arch doors can either stand alone or be crafted with surrounding panels and come in a wide selection of designs.
Find out more about the different types of arch doors here.
Bi-fold Doors
Suitable for both internal and external use, bi-fold doors are modern and attractive, making for a great back door and internal door. Typically constructed with panels that move along a track, bi-fold doors can be as wide as you like, providing great views and heaps of natural lighting. Bi-fold doors are also long lasting and durable but depending on their side, can also require a lot of maintenance and cleaning.
Fire Door
Mainly found in the workplace or commercial areas, fire doors offer a specialist solution and are crafted with a certain thickness that takes longer to burn through. These doors come with a fire protective system including the prevention of smoke and fire, especially useful for multi-storey spaces or areas such as schools and hospitals. Although the front door of a house doesn’t require a fire door, they can be found through homes due to being used for garages, lofts and internal spaces near stairs.
French Doors
Similar to a bi-fold door, french doors are a modern yet classic door frame that provides an aesthetically pleasing finish, natural lighting, easy access and longevity. Found both inside and outside a property, french doors are known for their double construction and can be made from a wide variety of different materials and finishings. When it comes to ease of use, french doors are great as they can be opened both inwards and outwards and give the choice of one being opened or closed.
Panel Doors
Panel doors are mainly used for internal frames, used throughout homes and commercial properties. Offering an elegant and simple aesthetic, these internal doors are ideal for separating room and being used in hallways. Although they tend to have a lower lifespan, they come with a huge sense of variety and aesthetic appeal.
Materials used for door frames
Aluminium Doors
Best suited to contemporary properties and offering a stylish approach, aluminium doors offer an extreme sense of durability, lasting around 45 years. These door frames also offer energy efficiency, thermal conductivity, low maintenance and an attractive display.
uPVC Doors
uPVC doors are popular in modern homes, providing a smooth finish and waterproof coating. With low maintenance and sturdy construction, these doors can be designed and presented in a range of shapes and sizes.
Wooden Doors
Offering a high sense of energy efficiency, wooden doors are a classic style and are made from both softwood and hardwood. These door frames are attractive and can have painted finishings which can constantly be changed depending on your taste.
Explore our range of aluminium door frames
Benefits of aluminium doors
Aluminium doors offer property owners a wide range of benefits, covering areas such as function, aesthetic, maintenance requirements and energy efficiency. Ideal for homes, offices, schools, warehouses and any other commercial space, here are just a view advantages of aluminium doors.
- Durable and long lasting
- Energy efficiency
- Sustainable lifecycle and recyclability
- Low maintenance
- Increase of property value
- Corrosion resistance
- Aesthetically pleasing
Security features and lock systems
How to improve your security with a new door
Security of a home or any other property, starts at the door and windows. Ensuring that you have quality, reliable frames in place will offer an added sense of security and also come with additional features which can be connected to devices and safety systems.
When purchasing your new door frame, it’s important to consider the level of security you want to achieve, What types of lock do you need? How much exposure to the inside do you want? Do you want an automatic alarm? How are you going to conceal your home at night or when it’s empty? When investing in your preferred frame, make sure to ask the professionals about what options are available and also consider extra items such as curtain, blinds, double lock systems, mirror film or privacy film.
FAQ’s about purchasing a new door
How do you know if your door frame needs replacing?
How much does a new door cost?
How long do aluminium doors last?
How to clean aluminium doors