Energy Efficient Front Doors - What to Look for?

We’re much more energy conscious nowadays than ever before so it’s a big consideration when making changes to our homes to assess what will save on those all-important energy bills. Front doors in particular can be classic culprits and if the door in particular is old and the material hasn’t worn well then maybe it’s time for a new one.

Energy efficient aluminium panel front door

 Good quality front doors are now built with efficiency in mind, but older style doors are likely to be drafty and show light through gaps between the frame and the actual door. You need to therefore look for the perfect fit and a material whereby the weather doesn’t impact on door swell; made-to-measure front doors are often a good solution as they won’t require further work to ensure a perfect fit and will also mean no air or water infiltration dependent on the material.

Weather-stripping is also important along with the way the door is actually installed. Bad fitted doors are likely to have gaps between the bottom sweep and the floor along with gaps at the edges possibly as a result of badly fitted components such as hinges. Screws therefore need to be snug and it’s best to use high-quality components in brushed steel or brass to achieve the best results.

Building regulations now state that external doors have to comply to U-value ratings (the measurement of heat loss through a material) of 1.8W/m²K. Achievable U-values will depend on the size of the door, the type of frame, sealants used and also glazing and glazing coatings; so by choosing the right supplier and installer in particular you could potentially lower the rating and save further.

For added insulation to achieve even better U-values, consider a high insulating core – there are specialist materials on the market which go the extra mile, Sunfold Systems offers such materials. Flush front doors with a smooth one level finish will limit gaps and flaws and glazing options will also help such as opting for triple glazing with a low-e coating. These extras will help not only achieve the required 1.8W/m²K U-value, but in fact push the rating even lower. There are some aluminium doors on the market, for example, which can achieve U-values between 1.4W/m²K and 1.3W/m²K.

Front doors tend to be made from either wood, metal (steel or aluminium), uPVC or made from composite materials, all of which have their plus points and negatives when considering thermal efficiency and overall aesthetics.

Solid wood doors risk warping and deteriorating over time as temperatures and weather conditions change so frequently the wood can swell, this general movement can create extra air gaps and change the overall fit. Wood veneer doors are an alternative as they will still have a wood core but will minimise warping depending on the quality and thickness of the veneer. uPVC on the other hand will remain rigid for a period of time although uPVC does have the tendency to expand with heat and can therefore warp a little making the door difficult to close overtime.

Metal doors, however, are classically weather proof no matter the temperature and also require little maintenance to maintain their exteriors. When it comes to durability, steel and aluminium is incredibly tough, secure and weather resistant. So if it’s longevity you’re looking for these are often considered the best choice. These doors will be bespoke made, which can cost more initially, but also means extra savings in the future through energy efficiency and the endurance of the systems. Both will be made with a metal panel exterior with a high insulating wooden core; aluminium doors, however, will hold up best against weather conditions as steel has been known to rust overtime. With such bespoke door systems it’s even easier to surpass the standard 1.8W/m²K U-value and in fact with some aluminium single door sets (with no glazing options) it’s possible to achieve as low as 1.0W/m²K.

Security and the energy efficiency of your front door go hand in hand. By ensuring quality locks you’ll not only secure your home but also help alleviate drafts, and by choosing strong materials for your front door you can also help protect against forced entry. Metal doors such as aluminium provide extra strength along with ensuring the protection of lock points by being concealed within the frame which makes it harder for a burglar to break in.

High security front door

 Three point locking systems are preferable for front doors as they enable the top and bottom of the door to be simultaneously secured unlike single point locking which lock only at the point where the key is turned. There are also options for anti-drill and anti-bump locks which can cost a little more but also make it much harder for unlawful entry. Look specifically for locks where a key is required from outside even when the door is unlocked and for anti-pick shaped pins. As the main entry point for your home, it’s important to take the time to research your options and install the highest quality systems to make sure your home is protected.