How to Choose the Right Exterior Door for Your Home

Choosing the right exterior door for your home is a decision that requires careful consideration.

After all, having an exterior door to be proud of can create the ideal first impression for guests, and make your life a lot easier.

It’s not just about aesthetics, though. Your exterior door also plays a crucial role in providing your home with security, energy efficiency, and durability.

With so many options available, it can be overwhelming to make the right choice. That’s why at Bedford Bifolds, we’ve put together this guide to help you navigate the different types of exterior doors on the market, factors to consider when choosing one, and the latest design trends.

Understanding Different Types of Exterior Doors

Composite Doors

A popular choice of front door, composite doors have gained popularity in recent years largely thanks to their aesthetic appeal and modern benefits.

Composite doors from Bedford Bifolds fuse strong steel and aluminium panels and frames for optimum security performance, with an insulated thermal break ensuring they can reach U-values as low as 1.1 W/(m2k), an energy rating of A – this will save you money on energy bills are you’ll be less reliant on expensive appliances.

It’s important that your front door boosts your home’s kerb appeal, and is available in a style or colour that suits you.

That’s why at Bedford Bifolds we offer composite door installations in the entire RAL colour chart, meaning you’re certain to find the perfect fit for you, whether you’re after a contemporary or traditional aesthetic.

Bi-fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are popular for homeowners looking to maximise their space and create a seamless connection between indoor and outdoor living areas.

External bifold doors have multiple framed hinged sections, folding neatly when opened, maximising space and offering easy access to your outdoor area.

When closed, they disappear to create a panoramic view and flood your home with natural light.

Sliding Doors

Whilst a bi-fold door folds back on itself, sliding doors (sometimes referred to as patio doors), slide back on themselves, neatly stacking at the end of a track.

Like bi-fold doors, they create vast openings, effective for easily accessing a garden area, as well as allowing plenty of ventilation into your home – especially pleasant on a warm summer day.

When closed you can still enjoy panoramic views of the outdoors thanks to their large glass panels, with strong glass, multi-point locks, and industry-leading handles ensuring they’re incredibly secure.

Sliding doors from Bedford Bifolds are available in either uPVC, the most popular door frame material in the United Kingdom, or high-performance aluminium. Like all our door offerings, they’re highly customisable, available in every RAL colour and a wide variety of preset finishes like Anthracite Grey, Graphite Black, and White Sand.

French Doors

Exterior French doors are highly recognisable, with their distinct double-door design meeting in the middle to open wide.

Hinged on either side, they are ideal for a wide range of property styles, allowing more ventilation and natural light when fully open.

External French doors are also a perfect choice for a balcony entrance and possess all the required modern benefits like thermal efficiency, security, and low maintenance.

At Bedford Bifords, our French doors are available in double or triple glazing, as well as the whole RAL colour chart. The frames can be installed in uPVC or aluminium.

What factors should I consider when installing an exterior door?

Material Matters: Wood, Aluminium, uPVC, or Composite?

The material of your exterior door plays a significant role in its durability and aesthetics.

Wood is a classic choice that offers natural beauty, but is expensive and requires regular maintenance and upkeep, meaning there are better options available in 2024 – options that often have woodgrain effects available to mimic this sought-after traditional appearance anyway.

uPVC on the other hand boasts a whole host of modern benefits and is an affordable option. The most common door material in the United Kingdom, it’s made from a specialist plastic, is highly durable, energy-efficient, and secure, whilst also being low maintenance and extremely customisable when it comes to appearance – available in woodgrain effects, as well as contemporary finishes.

Aluminium doors are popular too, and are known for their strength and resistance to rust and corrosion. They are low maintenance and offer excellent security.

Composite doors, often used as front doors, combine the durability of materials like wood and the low maintenance of UPVC or aluminium. They are resistant to warping and provide excellent insulation.

Consider the pros and cons of each material to choose the right one for your home.

Durability and Security Features

When selecting a new external door, durability and security should be top priorities.

Look for features such as multi-point locking systems, reinforced frames, and toughened glass to make sure these priorities are ticked off.

Durability is important to ensure your door withstands the elements and daily use, which is why we recommend modern-day options like composite, aluminium, and uPVC as opposed to timber.

By focusing on these aspects, you can have peace of mind knowing that your exterior door provides the necessary protection for your home.

Energy Efficiency and Insulation Properties

Energy efficiency and insulation are essential considerations when choosing an exterior door.

The frames of our doors at Bedford Bifolds are designed to minimise heat loss, meaning your home is more comfortable, and you’ll save money on energy bills – this is because you’ll be far less reliant on costly appliances like radiators, electric heaters, and cooling systems.

Modern, Contemporary Styles

Modern and contemporary exterior door styles have gained popularity for their sleek and minimalist aesthetics.

These designs often feature clean lines, large glass panels, and unique finishes.

Whether you prefer a minimalist design or a statement piece, modern and contemporary styles offer a wide range of options to complement your home’s architectural style.

Classic and Traditional Options

However it’s worth noting that classic and traditional exterior door options never go out of style.

These designs often feature intricate details, such as decorative glass and panelling, that add character to your home.

Traditional wood finishes, such as oak or mahogany, provide a warm and inviting feel, whilst traditional colours like white or black are timeless choices.

Whether you have a period property or simply appreciate a classic aesthetic, there are plenty of classic and traditional exterior doors to choose from.

Various accessories are often available too, such as unique letter boxes, door knockers, and even a canopy, to give your door to personal touch that it deserves.

Exterior Doors from Bedford Bifolds

At Bedford Bifolds, we’re proud to offer a huge variety of exterior door sets.

Our door range includes bi-folds, sliding, French, composite, pivot, and various other door styles, and we’re also proud to install incredible windows.

Each product we offer is available to be finished in the whole RAL colour chart, meaning that no matter if you require a more traditional or contemporary design, we’ll have the ideal choice for you.

For further information, our friendly customer service team are available to be contacted on 01234 342669, or by filling out an online contact form.