A good front door is an intrinsic component that makes up the ideal home. But how do you work out which type of external door is best for you?

No home is complete without external doors – they come in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and colours, and are often one of the first things you notice standing on the pavement or driveway of a house. It is no surprise then that door design is so important to many homeowners up and down the country. The majority of households also sport a back door or kitchen door, meaning the majority of buildings in Britain sport at least two external doors, with many having three or even four doors built in. 

The benefits of external doors are plentiful and go far beyond visual appeal. From reducing heat escaping from your building to preventing outside sounds from coming in, they can even help with natural light transmission if they sport glass panes, making your entrance hall and corridors brighter and more appealing.

There is a lot to know about external doors, especially when choosing one to purchase for your building. With so many styles and aesthetics – as well as functionality options – to choose from it can be difficult to keep track of all the factors you need to consider. This guide will look at some of the key points to bear in mind when looking for the right door for you.

When you are looking at the options available to you, consider your priorities when picturing the ideal external door. Here are several of our suggestions when it comes to questions you may want to think about when browsing our ranges. 

Do I Have Enough Space for My Door?

This is an important consideration – external door models differ considerably in size, and your walls need to be wide and thick enough – both inside and out – to fit an external door. These doors tend to be much thicker than their internal alternatives (more on differences between the two below) and they can be heavier too – can your walls handle this additional weight? The door will also require ample space to swing without damaging any surrounding objects or walls. The majority of external doors are designed to open inwards, so this is more important on the inside of your home. 

Are You Aware of the Differences Between Internal and External Doors? 

Both are usually different thicknesses and are made out of different materials. External doors also have to meet stricter building requirements. Most shops and online sites will explicitly state whether or not a door is to be used internally or externally.

Do You Want Glazed Doors? 

You will find an abundance of external doors with different varieties of glazing. Internal door glazing also exists, so it is again important not to get mixed up between the two. Most if not all external doors are double-glazed nowadays in order to comply with building requirements. You will also need to decide between translucent glazing and ‘frosted’ glazing, which means sunlight can still pass through the panes, but you won’t be able to see in or out.

Glazed or Unglazed? 

A similar question to the above, but an important one to ask, especially if you enjoy customising and decorating when it comes to DIY. Often with external glazed doors, you have the option to purchase a variation of a particular glazed design that is supplied without the glazing itself – just the empty spaces for you to insert your own chosen glazing. This gives you far more freedom when it comes to customisation of the glass panes on your door. You may want a patterned glass or a special type of frosted pane.

What Material Would You Prefer? 

Most doors are made out of wood, but there are certainly exceptions and variations to this trend. Metal, glass, and uPVC are just some of the alternative materials used to make doors, both external and internal.

There are countless external door designs to choose from, but they can be split into subsets of door models for easier navigation of the options open to you. Each of these door types will vary greatly in price, space requirements and appearance:

Standard External Doors

The classic external door is usually made out of sturdy, resilient woods as well as utilising glass, metal, and other such materials. They are almost always solid, usually constructed entirely from wood or at the very least produced with an engineered wood core. 

Double External Doors (Door Pairs) 

Some types of standard external doors can be purchased in pairs, which allows them to be installed directly next to one another, sharing the space, and joining together when closed. These door types are less common, especially on modern homes, but they do exist and can be specially commissioned as well – a fairly common practice when it comes to renovations of larger traditional homes.

Stable Doors 

These doors are usually the same size and shape as standard external doors, though they can be a little taller and/or wider. Their main feature is a split across the upper third of the door, which allows the top third to be opened like a hatch or window. Alternatively, the lower section of the door can be opened while leaving the upper part shut. These separate doors can be individually locked as well. They are most common in cottages and other rural buildings.

French Doors (or French Windows) 

A bespoke door model that comprises a door pair usually flanked by or featuring large or multiple window panes. The French door is generally used to lead out into back gardens or onto patios. Within the house, they are usually located in kitchens or lounges, but it’s not unheard of to find them in ground bedrooms, office spaces or dining rooms. Like all external doors, almost all available French doors are double-glazed, though single-glazed alternatives also exist as heritage options. Make sure you don’t get French doors confused with room dividers, which look similar but are strictly for internal use.

Sliding Doors

Great ways to avoid space requirements of swinging doors or French windows while still allowing access to outside and allowing in plenty of sunlight. External sliding doors are all double or even triple-glazed and are easily operated whether inside or out. They can be locked securely, which grants extra security and the panes – which make up the majority of the door with just the frame made of a separate material – are maintained easily. External sliding doors are very different from their internal counterparts, so make sure you’re looking at the correct variety before purchasing!

External doors can be made from a variety of materials, but the most common is some form of wood timber. However, as you’ll discover below, there are a couple of alternative materials. All external doors will be much thicker and sturdier than their interior counterparts, even if they are made from the same materials. 

Timber

Timber doors are among the most popular when it comes to residential housing. This is your best option if you’re looking for a front door for your home. With a timeless and natural beauty that can contribute to a home’s overall visual appeal, they can be customised with multiple finishes, stains, paints, and colours that can effectively compliment the architectural uniqueness or uniformity of a home, depending on your creative preference.

Wood is a versatile material that can be easily shaped and carved in order to create endless designs and patterns. Because of this, it is one of the best materials on the market for customisation and allows homeowners to create unique and personalised entryways. Timber is also extremely durable, especially when it comes from hardwood trees such as oak, which is one of the most popular species when it comes to timber production for exterior doors.

uPVC

Often considered the ‘budget’ option compared to timber and other alternatives, uPVC is actually incredibly versatile and can be produced in a vast range of colours and styles. Of course, one of the most familiar and popular amongst homeowners is the classic white model with a white finish, usually coming with a large, glazed pane that can be frosted or clear. uPVC doors are available in other styles, but it is this model that gained popularity throughout the 1990s and 2000s, when many newer townhomes were first constructed.

uPVC possesses plenty of benefits, including the price; it is indeed less expensive than timber, but the key features don’t stop there. uPVC is more resistant to scuffs and scratches than timber, and also tends to be lighter. It is usually only one of several different materials that go into the construction of an exterior door, which all work together to create a product that is resilient, reliable, and long-lasting. 

Aluminium

Aluminium is another popular material that is commonly used in external doors. It is used on both front and back doors, particularly on community buildings and office blocks. Aluminium is also used for residential doors too and is particularly popular in towns and cities where tends to be more resistant to those environmental conditions. Perfect for use on busy streets, aluminium doors can be very sturdy, making them ideal for doors that see plenty of use, as well as doors where security is of a particular priority. 

These doors can be easily installed, can be purchased alongside a complete selection of accessories (with many models featuring built-in additions). As well as this, they are relatively easy to replace if damaged, and much easier to maintain, as they don’t usually need the repaints and refinishes timber doors tend to require. 

Some external doors come with all the accessories you’ll need. Others will be supplied as ‘blank canvases’ – you’ll need to choose and apply the accessories yourself. Unlike most internal doors, external doors can be fitted with a few extra features that will help to make them more user-friendly and efficient.

Hinges 

Hinges are absolutely vital for a functioning external door, though there doesn’t tend to be too much variation aesthetically. Some are designed for more heavy-duty operation than others, and are able to hold up heavier doors, such as those bearing a lot of solid wood and glass. Different types of doors may need a specialised set of hinges, usually supplied by the same brand. Meanwhile, other hinges can be used across board ranges of door types.

Knobs and Handles 

As with just about any type of door, an external door is borderline inoperable without a knob or handle to grasp onto and open. Like the door itself, these components can come in a massive range of shapes, sizes, and materials (though they are usually made from metals such as brass).

Knobs tend to be easier to grasp on the go and are thus considered more practical, while door handles are often more visually appealing, with a great many different aesthetics to choose from. Unlike internal doors, external doors usually only have one handle/knob, located on the inside-facing side.

Locks

While certainly practical and very useful, locks can nevertheless be purchased in a wealth of different designs, from straightforward to more sophisticated. Most modern external door locks are operated by a rotating bolt installed directly into the door. Locks themselves are usually only located on the inside of the door. 

Keyhole

A lock that can be found on all external doors, inside and out. They again can come in a variety of styles, as can the key used to unlock them. Modern doors usually feature smaller keys and keyholes, while traditional houses with older doors will require larger keys and keyholes to operate. These are the more visually versatile options.

Letterbox

Useful for yourself, your postman and delivery drivers alike, a letterbox is a great addition to your front door that will allow for any mail or smaller parcels to be delivered straight through your door and safely into your home. 

Dog/Cat Flap

Not very common on a front door, but a popular addition to side and back doors, dog/cat flaps allow your pet to access your garden at will. They can be purchased in many different sizes, with some only small enough for small cats and others designed for all cat sizes as well as smaller dogs. It is advisable only to add them if your garden is relatively secure – as they can lead to your pet escaping, or unwanted visitors accessing the flap.

Peephole

This can be used to see any visitors to your doorstep without having to open the door, offering extra privacy. They are usually found on front doors and are installed much the same way as keyholes. They are also usually of a similar size.

Door installation, whether internal or external, is a fairly simple process – though that doesn’t mean it’s necessarily an easy one! External doors, more so than their internal counterparts, can be very heavy to lift and support on your own, so it is advisable that you have an extra pair of hands to assist you when it comes to handling these products.

When it comes to installing a door, there are a number of steps you have to complete beforehand. Once you have created the appropriately measured space within your wall, as well as prepared any additional frames, panels, or borders, you can add the hinges to your door as well as to the wall before connecting them up together.

The bigger and more advanced door models get, the more difficult it will be to install them efficiently on your own. Door pairs will prove more challenging than a single door, and French windows will be difficult to install without outside help. If you want more information on door installation, check out our handy how-to guides or alternatively consult a tradesman or professional door installer.

An external door may require different types of maintenance depending on its features as well as the material from which it is made. However, there are a few consistent steps you can take to ensure that your door stays in good condition regardless of the model.

Polishing

Many types of external doors will benefit from a good polish, especially on the inside and over the knobs and handles. Doors, like any other object in a room, can get very dusty if left uncleaned for a while, and a great way to get rid of this unsightly coating is to apply some specialised polish to the door and wipe away any visible dust!

Painting

Most doors can be purchased with all the paint they’ll for at least a year or so, but as doors tend to last a lot longer than that it is important to ensure that it is painted every now and then to ensure aesthetical appeal. Painting the door can help to cover up any scratches and scrapes the door has received while being used.

Washing 

Some doors will benefit from a wash on a relatively infrequent basis using soapy water or a specialised cleaner. Doors with glazed panes in particular will look a lot better after a good clean! However, it is important to do your research on your particular type of door. Some doors will lose paint to certain methods of cleaning, while others may suffer from stained wood.

Treating

Some external doors are made from wood with no finish or surface coating like paint. These doors may benefit from using a specialised treater, varnish, or a similar product to keep them looking their best. Have a look through these maintenance products to find the best one for your door and the particular wood from which it is made.

There are several well-known brands that specialise in manufacturing external doors, each one offering a vast range of styles, ranging from simplistic to bespoke. Some will be best for houses while others are ideal for apartments. Some will be best for rural homes, and some will be perfect for urban builds.

One such brand is LPD, an exceptional brand known for its huge collection of door styles that include just about every type of internal door you can think of. Some of their models are instantly recognisable, while others have been produced to coincide with the latest in architectural stylistic developments. Within their range of designs are standard internal doors, door pairs, French windows and much more.

Many door models can also be purchased in a wide variety of colours, including bespoke shades of black, stunning whites, and outstanding grey finishes. Alternatively, many of these doors can also be produced by retaining their natural wood surfaces, keeping your door looking natural as well as more traditional.

Not only this, but LPD also offer a multitude of accessories, including hinges and doorknobs, locks, and keys, all created to add not only practicality but an abundance of additional character to your door. Some are fully compatible with a majority of the range, while others are more specialised, intricately designed to aid in the operation of certain doors as efficiently as possible.

Looking for more inspiration? Take a look at our wide range of product and project guides - covering an array of subjects from garden renovations to painting and decorating, installing stunning lighting set-ups to building out a kitchen or bathroom from scratch and much, much more. Take the leap today and start your DIY journey right here. For direct help and advice, you can also contact our award-winning customer service team.