BUILDING ENVELOPE
A signature entrance
Choosing the right front door is key to creating a good first impression and enhancing kerb appeal. With so many different products on the market, Stuart Shaw of Hörmann UK provides some insights to help self-builders make an informed decision
T
he entrance door you choose for your development has to satisfy many criteria; not only do you want it to look good and work in harmony with the style and design of the property, it also needs to provide the highest levels of functionality when considering security, thermal efficiency, durability and maintenance. Combined with a variety of material options and an ever-increasing choice of finishes and colours, choosing the right door can seem daunting. Traditionally, timber doors have been the most fitted door type in the UK; while offering good insulation properties, they do require constant maintenance to ensure that this natural product withstands the British weather and stays looking good. PVCu doors, popular with the replacement and commercial new build markets, score highly in thermal insulation but they can discolour and warp over time. However, recent developments in manufacturing techniques and material design have led to aluminum and steel doors seeing a steady increase in popularity in all sectors as they offer durability and resilience, together with high levels of performance. As caring for our environment becomes increasingly important, insulating a property has never been more relevant, and choosing a thermally efficient front door will help reduce heat loss and save money on heating bills. All new doors can now be tested for their Energy efficiency and given a simple A-G rating. A high- performance insulated door will have a minimum energy rating of ‘C’ and above. Current legislation also requires that all new doors sold and fitted in England & Wales must have a U-value not exceeding 1.8 W/m²K (the lower level of 1.6 W/m²K applying in Scotland). The U-value of a door is a measurement of its thermal transmission properties, in other words how much heat is lost through the door. The lower the value, the more energy efficient it will be. The latest technological advances now see front doors manufactured from steel and
nov/dec 2020
aluminum being able to achieve U-values as low as 0.87 and 0.47 respectively. To protect property against unwelcome intruders, it is vital that the most advanced locking and security systems are fitted, with minimum requirements complying with Part Q of the Building Regulations. Entrance doors can be fitted with a high-security locking system and the profile cylinders which protect against manipulation. Increased levels of security can be provided by fitting break-in resistance equipment manufactured and tested to the latest British and/or European standards.
The way in which locks are operated should also be considered in terms of security and convenience. Although traditional keys are still most commonly used, there are a wide range of systems that are now available on the market that offer unrivalled standards in useability and security, with smart technology becoming increasingly popular. Radio finger scanners, keypads or remote- control transmitters are all designed to provide homeowners with exceptional levels of security, supported by apps
An extensive choice of colours and finishes provides ample opportunity to experiment with a splash of colour
which offer the ability to open the entrance door remotely throughout the property, whilst checking on the status of the door.
The specification of entrance doors relating to accessibility for domestic dwellings is covered by Part M of Building Regs. Compliance with the regulations means that where a front door is fitted to a new build property the door must have
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