Doors · 7 min read · Updated 2026
Choosing a front door: composite, PVC-U, aluminium or timber
Your front door is the most-used moving part of your house and the most visible. It is worth getting past the colour swatches to the construction.
The four options
Composite gives the best all-round balance of security, insulation and low upkeep. PVC-U is the value choice, usually best kept for back doors. Aluminium is the architectural option for contemporary properties. Timber remains the authentic choice for period homes.
The specification points that matter
Ask for these in writing regardless of which material you choose.
- Slab thickness and whether the core is solid timber or foam-filled
- Cylinder rating — three-star, or one-star cylinder with two-star handles
- Whether the complete doorset is PAS 24 tested
- Whether laminated glass is used in any glazed panel
- The threshold type, especially if level access matters
Colour and hardware
Dark colours on a south-facing door need a UV-stable finish. Hardware finish should be consistent — handle, letterplate, knocker, hinges and spyhole — and it is the cheapest way to make a door look expensive.