Back to news

5 Things to consider when replacing a front door

Your front door is one of the most important aspects of your home. It acts as a security barrier and a way to improve your home’s look. If your existing door is old, worn out, or not good at retaining heat, you need to think carefully about several key factors when getting a new front door.

With over 45 years of experience, we have helped many homeowners find beautiful, safe, and energy-efficient doors. Here is our guide to help you choose the best new front door for your home.

When should front doors be replaced?

There are several clear signs that show it might be time to get a new front door. You may notice visible damage, or you might feel draughts or have trouble opening and closing the door. Security concerns can also be a reason to replace it.

For wooden doors, rot and moisture damage often happen, especially at the bottom of the door and near the hinges. uPVC doors, meanwhile, may become discoloured or warped as they age, while older aluminium doors can have poor thermal efficiency. If you see any of these problems, you should think about a replacement, as a new door can improve your home’s safety, energy efficiency, and look.

Can I just replace the front door without replacing the frame?

This is a question we get asked a lot. Sometimes, you can just replace the door leaf. However, we usually suggest changing both the door and the frame together. This way, you get a better fit and alignment. This also improves security, helps with energy efficiency, and allows for the proper setting of new locking systems. A new frame also allows you to fix problems with masonry or insulation around the door opening.

Sapphire gemstone door with composite sidelights

1. Material choice: Making the right selection

The material you choose for your new door is very important. Wooden front doors look classic and fit old-style houses well. However, they need a lot of care and can get damaged by warping and rot. uPVC doors are cheaper but might not have the high-end look that many people want. On the other hand, aluminium doors give a modern feel, but they might have issues with thermal efficiency.

At Entrance Composite Door Solutions, we proudly manufacture our doors ‘The Entrance Way’. By ingeniously combining the finest attributes of various materials, we’ve created GRP composite doors that capture the timeless beauty of traditional timber while delivering superior performance. These innovative doors offer the authentic look of wood grain alongside state-of-the-art security features and exceptional thermal efficiency.

Unlike traditional materials, they require minimal maintenance and provide outstanding resistance to even the harshest weather conditions, ensuring your entrance remains beautiful and functional for years to come.

2. Security features: Protecting what matters most

When choosing a new external door, security is a top priority. Our modern composite doors are designed with strong multi-point locking systems, secure cylinders, and reinforced frames for maximum protection. For any glass panels, we use toughened or laminate glass to enhance safety. The skin of the door is impact-resistant, providing an extra layer of defence.

Additionally, our doors have been rigorously tested to meet Part Q standards, including PAS24 security testing, ensuring they are much harder to break into than traditional wooden doors or uPVC doors.

Black monkeytail door handle

3. Energy efficiency: Save money on bills and feel more comfortable in your home

With energy costs going up, having a front door that keeps heat in is very important. Our composite doors use special insulation materials, thermal breaks, and weather seals. They also come with double or triple-glazed glass panels. Together, these features help keep your home at a comfortable temperature and lower your energy bills.

Energy efficiency is another key advantage – our GRP composite doors are up to 19% more thermally efficient than a solid timber core composite door and 17% more efficient than a timber door.

4. Style and customisation: Making it your own

Your front door should show your style and match your home’s design. Whether you live in a traditional home or a new build, we have more than 10,000 combinations for you. You can choose from a wide range of colours, glass designs, and door furniture options. From classic letterboxes to modern handles, you can customise every detail to create the perfect entrance.

Popular options are our anthracite grey doors for modern homes and classic colours for traditional ones. Our design consultants can help you find the best combination of materials and styles to fit your home’s look. They can also include modern security features and efficiency.

What is the trend for front doors in 2025?

Current door trends show that anthracite grey is still a popular colour choice. Homeowners are also now choosing unique door furniture with modern finishes. Minimalist designs with clean lines are becoming more common, while traditional styles are also being updated with new materials. Finally, there is a continued demand for large glass panels, which help bring in more natural light in both modern and classic door designs.

Close up of a blue front door

5. Long-term value: Investing in quality

When you buy a new door, think about its long-term value. We offer a 25-year guarantee, showing how confident we are in how long our doors last. Our doors need little maintenance and help save energy, meaning they provide great value and can raise the worth of your property.

Are building regulations needed for a new front door?

Yes, installing front doors must follow today’s building rules. These rules centre around thermal performance, fire safety, security, and ventilation. Our skilled team takes care of these compliance issues for you, and make sure your installation meets the exact specifications and rules. This means we check the width for accessibility and the thermal efficiency ratings as well.

Choosing the right door provider

At Entrance Composite Door Solutions, we have over 45 years of experience in the industry, and we take pride in offering a full-service experience. With our strong network of trusted local suppliers across the UK, we make sure to provide great service everywhere in the country.

Quality is very important in all we do. Each door is carefully made to order in our UK facilities, and we keep strict quality checks during the whole manufacturing process. Our promise for excellence is shown in every part of production – this includes choosing top-quality materials and paying close attention to details in craftsmanship. We work with a trusted team of certified installers, and make sure every installation meets our high standards. This gives you complete peace of mind from the beginning to the end.

Gemstone collection composite door

Ready to transform your entrance?

If you’re thinking about getting a new front door, we’re here to help. Our skilled team will assist you step by step – this includes choosing your design to installing the door. We have a wide selection of styles, colours, and custom options, and we will help you pick the best door to improve your home’s security, energy use, and appearance.

Contact our expert team today to talk about your needs. You can also explore our website to see our complete collection of composite doors. We’re here to help you make a great first impression with a door that works well and looks fantastic.

Discover more with Entrance Composite Door Solutions

Mastering locks for composite doors: Essential guide

What defines Victorian style front doors?

Top 10 Advantages of Wood Effect Composite Doors