External door FAQs

Your FAQs answered

So, you want to buy yourself some new external doors, but you don’t know where to start? Don’t worry, you’ve come to the right place! Read our FAQs and make sure you have all the information you need before you make your purchase.

It might feel like a complicated task but we’re here to make it easy with our frequently asked questions.

Below we’ll cover all the important information you need to know before you make your decision. It’s important you take the time to consider all your options so you end up with the best choice for your home.

Below we’ll cover all the important information you need to know before you make your decision. It’s important you take the time to consider all your options so you end up with the best choice for your home.

When you're ready to make your choice, head over to our buying guide for more information on style and our range.

What material should I choose?

We have a wide range of external doors in many different materials and to help in your choice, take a look at our list below for some of the benefits of the different types.

PVCu

• Weather resistant
• Low maintenance
• Value for money
• Durable

 

How much do I need to budget?

If you’re working to a tight budget, you could consider a PVCu door, which you’ll find in our collection. These are only available in white, but vary in the pattern of their glazed panels.

If you’re looking for a touch of luxury, our top of the range composite doors come in a huge variety of looks and colours from traditional to contemporary.

Timber

• Ready to paint
• Environmentally friendly
• Long life span
• Easy to change up the colour

Metal

• Strong and safe
• No risk of warping
• Sleek and contemporary
• Easy to look after

Composite

• Great insulation
• Secure
• Reduces noise from outside
• Long lasting

What do I want from my external door?

This may sound like an obvious question, but there are important functions of an external door that you might not have considered before.

Security

• Whilst all our doors are built with security in mind, some styles will be more robust due to their structure. Composite doors, for example, have a highly dense foam core which offers extra protection for peace of mind.

Maintenance

• If you want something that’s easy to look after, it’s worth considering that there are doors which will require less maintenance than others. PVCu doors don’t require painting, varnishing or glazing, simply wipe them down with a soapy cloth to keep them sparkling.

Insulation

• Your external doors should keep you safe from the elements, and if they’re fitted correctly, our doors will ensure you’re keeping out the cold. There are some materials with better thermal properties than others, with timber and steel amongst the top performers.

Noise reduction

• Keeping out the noise of the outside is particularly important if you live somewhere busy. Solid-core doors, such as timber, oak and other hardwoods, will generally be the best at excluding noise

Do all external doors come in a standard size?

Whilst there are some common door sizes, it’s important that you measure your door and frame properly before you make your purchase.

Our selection of doors come in the most popular sizes, and depending what material you choose, you may be able to adjust the height and width after you purchase one. Keep in mind that there’s only a certain amount you can cut off a door before it’s structure is compromised.

There are doors, such as PVCu, steel, and composite that you won’t be able to adjust. If you know you’ll need to make some changes to the size of the door, check the manufacturer’s instructions to see if it’s possible.

Can I install external doors myself?

Our guide to hanging a door will help you to install your own door. We recommend you have someone to help you hold your door in place when you’re undertaking this project. Another option is to have your door fitted by a reputable carpenter instead.

Do I need a fire door?

Building regulations can be complicated, subject to change and vary from place to place. Because of that, we can't advise on these issues but you are advised to refer to the building regulations for the use and requirements of fire doors.