How to choose between Wood, Aluminium and uPVC doors?

When narrowing down on the door options, one of the first things that is to be finalized is the type of material that can be used for the doors. Determining the apt material for your requirement and your home is a tough ask. It depends on the job at hand since each type of door presents some advantages and disadvantages. It aligns with personal taste and budget. In this article, we weigh up the pros and cons of using any of the door types including uPVC, wood, and aluminium and help you make a choice too.

Wooden Doors

Wooden external doors are aesthetically pleasing as they emanate warmth and beauty. As a natural element, it is one of the finest elements to be used for building homes, but they do require adequate attention and care. Wooden internal doors last for several years but it is important to have them sealed correctly. Also, it adds glamor to the house, while also being durable enough to last for many years. Doors made from quality timbers are mostly the best doors for varied uses and settings. Wooden doors can also be polished in a number of ways to match the d'cor of the house, and the charm stays intact too.

Advantages of Using Wooden Doors 

• Beautiful aesthetics with wood grains for a complete high-end look.
• Perfect doors to be stained with patterns or painted with different colors.
• Warm and soothing to touch and use on a daily basis.
• All scratches can be repaired easily and corrected to get it to its original look Wooden doors can be customized and personalized to the d'cor.
• It has natural insulation properties to restrain heat seeping into the house.
• They are energy-efficient in some ways.
• They are available in a variety of finishes.
  
  

Limitations of Wooden Doors 

• Wooden doors require regular maintenance with respect to its finishes. One would have to add finishes to doors for every 1-2 years.
• They can absorb moisture easily that means they are susceptible to peeling, warping or rotting by the edges.
• Compared to other door types, wooden doors are least energy-efficient.
• Wooden doors are costly although it depends on type of wood being used.
• Wooden doors are prone to termites and infestations.
• These doors can catch fire easily too. 
  
  

Aluminium Doors

Aluminium doors are the popular option for making doors and considered one of the ideal materials used for the same. They are not only used in commercial settings but nowadays they are being used for domestic settings too. Aluminum doors boast of sleek design and contemporary look and hence many homeowners prefer using such doors when giving their homes a revamp.

They also stand the test of time and available in multiple colors and sizes. It is the ideal medium for doors in tropical climate homes and available in an unlimited range of colors and sizes. They are durable and weather-resistant and can meet environmental regulations if installed correctly.

Advantages of Aluminum doors 

• Aluminium is the strongest material for making doors and is literally maintenance-free.
• Aluminium doors can be customized easily and can be procured in multiple custom colors.
• They are mostly powder-coated or anodized, and hence they do not rot or discolor as quickly as other materials.
• Aluminium doors are easy to install and have a modern, streamlined design.
• They will not rot or perish for long periods of time.
• They do not attract termites and insects.
• They have high melting temperature.

Limitations of Aluminum Doors 

• It has high thermal expansion coefficient, that would lead to product distortion if not installed properly.
• It is the best conductor of heat which means that it cannot insulate against heat, and will depend on glaze work for resisting heat.
• Aluminium is expensive to manufacture and costly to purchase.
• It requires periodic maintenance if one needs to use it for long.

UPVC Doors

uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) is a popular material for making doors. The energy rating of uPVC is advantageous and it boasts of excellent insulating properties especially fit for acoustic environments. It is expensive to use but well worth it for various firms and companies. It has witnessed a rapid rise in popularity as it not only looks good but is incredibly easy to maintain. The growing focus on energy-efficient performance has made it a material of choice for many homeowners for their doors.

Advantages of UPVC Doors 

• UPVC doors are made from tropical formulation, and hence durable with minimal expansion and contraction.
• It has excellent insulation properties with high energy efficiency.
• The doors are available in many attractive designs.
• Each of the door carries long warranties.
• These doors offer a tilt and turn option too.
• They are maintenance-free while the extrusions of the doors can be recycled.
• Require no painting, just regular cleaning.
• Not prone to termites.
• They do no rust or corrode owing to material characteristics.
• Environment-friendly option since the manufacturing process requires less energy.

Limitations of uPVC Doors 

• uPVC doors are presumed to be more expensive than other doors made from other materials although it is not entirely true.
• Painting of door frames increases the price involved and the options to paint in diverse colors is limited
• uPVC doors have size limitations too and are less customizable than other materials
• Door frames are known to degrade over the years

Conclusion

On a comparative level, each of the doors has their own share of pros and cons. One will have to choose doors based on their requirement and their d'cor since they are not isolated in themselves.

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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SHABANA KAUSER

Shabana Kauser is the dynamic owner of Emerald Doors, the famous door-selling company in the UK with immense knowledge and experience in working with architecture, interior design, and home decor. She continues to share tips and technical know-how of balancing interior elements, door fittings, room aesthetics, and the like. Personally, she loves coffee, always dabbling with several blends.