external envelope
Choosing the right doors for your building project
David O’Mara at leading door manufacturer Hörmann offers his advice on what to look out for when specifying a high-performance external door as well as giving guidance on what style is likely to best suit the space available.
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of styles available and the potential to add value to the project both in terms of appearance and functionality, they should be carefully considered during the initial planning stage. Insulation, security and style are the three main elements to
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take into account when choosing a door. A good UD-value (the U-value of a fitted door) can significantly improve the thermal efficiency of the entire property and is an absolute necessity for low carbon projects. This is affected predominantly by the material the door is made from but there are many other ele- ments that can help improve overall insulation. Where energy efficiency is a high priority, metal doors
.K). Improved efficiency can be achieved through a number of carefully designed-in features. For example, a wider
such as steel and aluminium offer some of the best insulating properties, capable of reaching UD-values as low as 0.47 W/(m2
hen taking on a house-building project, the garage and entrance doors may only seem a relatively minor element. However, with such a wide range
door leaf, in particular those with a form of insulating infill such as PU rigid foam, will help to keep energy costs down. A reinforced composite leaf profile, creating a thermal break, will also help to achieve better U-values. Likewise, high-security features, such as multi-point locking,
can really add to the value of a house as well as offering peace of mind to the future owners. Look out for doors that have been allocated Secured by Design accreditation; having passed stringent tests set by the Association of Chief Police Officers, doors with this status are among the most secure on the market. Having glazing incorporated into the door’s design also does
not have to come at the expense of high quality insulation and security. Doors are now available with glass incorporated on the interior and exterior of insulated glazed panels. In the instance of breakage, the glass splinters are bound and stay adhered to the plastic film on the inside, making it virtually impossible for burglars to reach through.
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