Reasons to Choose an Aluminium Front Door
Reasons to Choose an Aluminium Front Door
Are aluminium doors better than UPVC? While many properties have moved away from wooden doors, it is not a given that all front doors should be uPVC. In this article, we’ll discuss the benefits of an aluminium front door.
Many people have a misconception that external aluminium doors will feel like a vault opening: a huge, heavy door that is cold to touch – but this is not the case. Aluminium doors can look just like UPVC doors but have many benefits that may make them better than uPVC in some circumstances. They are not as cold as many imagine, as aluminium is easily shaped, allowing internal chambers and thermal breaks to prevent heat loss from within the building. These doors are lightweight and coated with fibreglass for easy addition of colour and texture.
Aluminium Door Design
High Security
Aluminium is a popular material because it is both strong and lightweight, around two and a half times stronger than PVCu. This higher strength-to-weight ratio means aluminium front doors can withstand a lot of force before they give in, making them much more secure than uPVC.
Aluminium doors pass EN1627-1630 strength and safety testing, and ours come with a multipoint locking system which includes an anti-bump cylinder and cylinder guard. These features prevent anyone from breaking the lock or doorframe to enter.
Aesthetic Appeal
Aluminium’s strength also means we can experiment more with design. Larger, sleeker door sizes than are possible with uPVC, as well as larger glazed areas, thinner window-frames and a range of choices for frames and fixtures. Aluminium doors are available in designs that complement both contemporary and traditional houses.
The fibreglass coating can be coloured all the way through, in the colour of your choice, so any scratches or wearing won’t contrast with the colour. Doors can be made with dual colours, with a different colour on the outside and inside. These benefits are more expensive with PVCu and composite doors because the coating processes are very different.
Long-Term Durability
Aluminium is extremely resilient against weathering. Because it does not warp over time like wood, or expand or contract much with temperature changes like uPVC, aluminium frames remain tight, so drafts and water ingress are not as much of a concern as these doors age.
Aluminium and fibreglass are both resistant to UV rays, so colours do not fade quickly and your door will continue to look new for decades. Doors made with these materials can be guaranteed for up to 10 years.
While timber may be vulnerable to insect attacks such as woodworm or deterioration due to mildew, aluminium is a great alternative. As a corrosion-resistant substance protected by the fibreglass coating, there is no risk of aluminium rusting.
Low Maintenance
These doors are extremely low maintenance; they only require occasional dusting and wiping with a damp cloth to keep them looking new. The hinges may need occasional oiling, as with all doors. There is no need for polishing or painting, as the fibreglass coating is unlikely to chip or fade.
Fire-Resistance
Aluminium is a great fire-resistant material, perfect for use in homes and commercial properties. As a reflective metal, aluminium does not combust. Fibreglass does not conduct heat, so these doors are fire-proof and heat-proof.
Energy Efficiency & Sustainability
Aluminium is a 100% recyclable material, making it a sustainable choice for doors and windows. While UPVC doors are almost never made from recycled PVC, aluminium doors can easily be made from recycled aluminium. This is because recycled aluminium is consistently high quality and uses very little energy to mold.
The thermal breaks and compartments built into the aluminium profiles of the doors provide excellent thermal insulation, particularly when coated with fibreglass. They are suitable doors for passive buildings with low energy consumption, as they do not allow heat to escape from within the structure, either through conduction or gaps in the frame. In most buildings, this leads to lower heating bills, making aluminium doors a good investment.
Sound Insulation
As well as thermal insulation, sound insulation is an extremely desirable feature of aluminium doors, especially in buildings next to busy roads or railways. Aluminium frames create a tight seal, preventing sound from passing through, while the structure of the fibreglass coating can provide additional noise suppression. Choose double or triple glazing in door panels to keep noise pollution out.
Cost-Effective
As well as reducing energy costs through thermal insulation, aluminium front doors and patio doors are a cost effective choice when compared to the frequency with which uPVC needs replacing. While the up-front investment may be higher, these long-lasting doors will not need to be replaced for at least a decade.
Different Opening Designs
At Longton Glass Ltd., we manufacture aluminium front doors and patio doors with many ways of opening. We can provide sliding doors, bi-fold, two-way swing doors and stable door designs with aluminium construction, so you can make your space work for you.
Aluminium Front Doors for Commercial and Residential Properties
Our made-to-measure aluminium doors in Stoke-on-Trent are a popular choice thanks to their strength, durability and easy customisation. Whether you are looking for fully-glazed double doors for commercial buildings or an attractive front door that will last a long time, aluminium is a great choice.
