External doors come in different materials, sizes, shapes, styles, and colours for your home. There are many types of doors to choose from so it's best to know the different trending materials and styles available for your front doors. Plus, their pros and cons of course.
7 Types Of External Doors - Pick The Best One For Your Home
The most common types of external doors in the UK are-
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Timber Doors
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Composite Doors
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French Doors
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Fire Doors
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Bifold Doors
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Garage Doors
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Stable Doors
Let us look at all the different types of external doors in detail.
1. Timber Doors
Timber doors or wooden doors tend to add character to your home’s exterior as well as interior. These doors are exceptionally stylish and are one of the most popular choices for external doors since ages. Timber doors fit perfectly in every pricing category, making it an all-rounder for external doors.
As these doors have a natural finish, they are well suited for both modern contemporary and dated properties. The best part is that if you get bored with the appearance of a timber door, you can always repaint it as and when you wish. If you are looking for enhanced security with low maintenance for your exterior door, then timber doors are the best investment.
Features:
- Durable
- Security
- Secure and Sturdy
- Low to no maintenance
- Aesthetically pleasing
Price Range - £200.00 - £3000.00
2. Composite Doors
Composite doors are very popular in the UK because of their beautiful and luxurious finish that lasts up to 30 years and more. Composite doors don’t fade, peel and crack often when compared to timber doors. They come in different door styles like modern, country and classic. Also be prepared to see elegant colours and glass on these doors and they do not require additional painting in future too.
Composite doors are combined with the benefits of several materials like insulating foam, wood, glass reinforced plastic, and aluminium. A good quality composite door not only offers the highest level of security but is durable and weather resistant too.
Features:
- Thermally Efficient
- Long Lasting
- Secure and Sturdy
- Low to no maintenance
- Hard-Wearing
Price Range - £200.00 - £1400.00
3. French Doors
French doors are also known as double doors in the UK. French doors are available in many materials and different door styles depending upon your preference. These doors open both outwards as well as inwards lasting upto 30-50 years. As french doors are primarily all-glass doors, they bring in a good amount of natural light.
The best part of using french types of interior doors is that these doors go with any type of furniture. The french doors tend to make any dull and less-spaced room look more lively and classy.
Features:
- Energy efficient
- Elegant and classy look
- Durability
- ROI - Increases resale value
Price Range - £300.00 - £1500.00
4. Fire Doors
A fire door comes with a fire protection system to prevent the spread of smoke and fire. Fire doors help to protect commercial and residential buildings from the spread of fire by trapping fire for a longer period of time. For ensuring safety measures, the maintenance and inspection of fire doors in buildings are done on a timely basis.
Fire doors are designed from materials varying in density for maintaining the integrity of the door. The British Woodworking Federation provides certifications for the ratings for FD30, FD60, FD90 and FD120, whose resistance limit ranges from 30 to 120. These doors are specifically tested from both sides to measure the stability and integrity of the door during the occurrence of fire.
Features:
- Durability
- Security
- Strength
- Minimises property damage
Price Range - £200.00 - £3500.00
5. Bifold Doors
Bifold doors are also known as sliding folding doors because they can fold both inwards and outwards depending upon the available space. These types of doors are well suitable for external doors as they can last up to 45 years.
Bifold doors are available in a variety of materials like aluminium, UPVC and wood. These doors have large glass panels, which brings an abundance of light into your home. If you happen to have a garden outdoors, bifold doors are a perfect option for you to consider.
Features:
- Takes up very little space
- Aesthetically pleasing
- Stylish look
- Easy to install and maintain
- Inexpensive
Price Range - £400.00 - £700.00
6. Garage Doors
A garage door is usually a large door for your garage space then opens both manually and electronically by a motion detector. These doors are usually large in size when compared to the other external doors to give a smooth entryway to your automobiles and other vehicles.
These doors open usually in two ways. While some garage doors open upwards, some of them open forward in an outward motion. Garage doors are installed in the garages to protect your bikes and cars from the sun’s scorching heat, heavy rains, and the bitter cold winter weather.
Features:
- Low Maintenance
- Security
- Strength
- Minimised property damage
- Inexpensive
Price Range - £410.00 - £440.00
7. Stable Doors
Although commonly used as openings to a patio or a garden, stable doors make exceptional front doors for any house. If you yearn for a front door that is out of the ordinary, then stable doors are an ideal choice. They break the recurrent and routine choices of exterior doors, grabbing the attention of anyone who passes by.
Stable doors also provide the combined advantage of windows and doors. These doors come in various materials and designs, providing the customers’ amazing varieties to choose from. These doors vary from regular front doors as they have two openings, on the top and bottom. Each section opens individually, without relying on the other.
Features:
- Durability
- Security
- Increased Ventilation
- Window + Door (2 in 1)
Price Range - £200.00 - £470.00
Tips for Selecting an External Door
There are different external door styles to select from depending upon their texture, material, and design. However, before investing in an external door, consider the following aspects.
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Material of the door
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Lock Options - Security
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Durability
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Budget Friendly
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Opening & Closing Function
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Minimal Maintenance
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Alignment with the rest of the Furniture
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Available Space and Door Size
Conclusion
Whether you are looking for external doors for the front entrance of your home or back entrance, there are plenty of options available in the market. Out of the best external door options that we have hand-picked for you, let us know which one you wish to go with!
Types of External Doors FAQs
1. What Is The Best Type of External Door?
The best type of external door for your home depends upon your preferences. While some prefer sturdiness with classy design, some prefer cost-effective external doors for their homes.
2. What Is The Most Common Type of Exterior Door?
Timber doors or wooden doors are the most common type of exterior doors since ages. This is because of the wooden door’s durability, stability, low maintenance and cost-effectiveness.
3. What Type of Exterior Door is More Durable?
Composite doors are considered to be the most durable exterior doors when compared to the other types of external doors. With it's reinforced materials, the overall strength and quality of the composite