Buying a Front Door: A Guide to Materials, Security and Insulation

The front door is your home’s calling card – and at the same time an important component for thermal insulation and security. Because a good front door lasts for decades, it is worth taking a close look at the material, insulation values and features. This guide will help you choose.

Which material suits you?

• Aluminium: very stable, warp-free and easy to care for. Thermally broken profiles achieve excellent insulation values. Aluminium offers the greatest design freedom and is also suitable for large, heavy doors.
• PVC: affordable and well insulating. Steel reinforcements provide stability. A good choice for standard sizes and smaller budgets.
• Wood: a natural look and pleasant feel. However, wood needs regular care to stay beautiful and weathertight in the long term.

Insulation: look at the Ud value

How well a door insulates is shown by the Ud value (d for door) in W/(m²K). The lower the value, the less heat is lost. A modern front door should achieve 1.0 W/(m²K) or better. Profile depth, a thick insulated panel and all-round seals are decisive. We explain how insulation values work in our article The window U-value explained.

Security: RC2 as standard

The front door is a favourite target for burglars. We recommend at least resistance class RC2. This includes multi-point locking with hooks or swing bolts, a security cylinder with anti-pull protection, a security escutcheon and secured hinges. You will find more information in our article Burglar-resistant windows: RC2.

Door panel and design

With an inset panel, the panel sits inside the door sash and the sash frame remains visible. With a sash-covering panel, the panel covers the sash on the outside – or on both sides. The result is a flush, modern look and usually even better insulation. Side panels and fanlights with glass bring daylight into the hallway.

Comfort and access

• Electronic access: fingerprint, keypad or smartphone app replace the key.
• Automatic locking: the door locks itself when pulled shut – no more forgetting.
• Low threshold: a low threshold makes access easier with a pram or walking frame.
• Pull handle: a long stainless steel bar handle adds a visual accent.

Installation and lead time

Even the best door only works with careful installation: securely fixed, precisely aligned and airtight. When you place your order, we take the measurements free of charge, deliver directly from the factory and install the door professionally. The lead time is usually 3 to 6 weeks. You will find models and colours under entrance doors.