- May 8, 2026|
- Doors|
- sandymount_admin
If you’ve asked yourself, ‘what is the best front door to buy?’ the good news is that you aren’t short on choice.
Whilst traditional timber doors are slowly being replaced by homeowners up and down the county, largely because of the extensive maintenance they require, composite, uPVC & aluminium front doors all represent worthwhile upgrades.
The best choice for you typically depends on what you’re prioritising, be it a budget-friendly pick, one that cuts energy bills, is low maintenance etc.
This blog is designed to explore these options in more detail, outlining where each excels, and which may be the most practical for your property.
Introducing composite doors
Composite doors layer several different materials together to get the very best out of each one. A typical composite door includes:
- A GRP outer skin: A synthetic material that’s tough, weatherproof and impact-resistant
- An insulated layer: This is a high-density foam layer, designed to lock the heat inside your home to reduce energy bills
- A solid timber core: Included to aid with thermal performance, but most importantly security and structural integrity.
- A steel-reinforced frame: The backbone of the door, adding strength and security
- Decorative glazing: Optional glass panels that let natural light into your front entryway. These can be decorative for privacy or transparent for light.
What are the benefits of composite front doors?
Composite doors are popular for very good reasons.
Excellent thermal efficiency
Composite doors are widely renowned as an industry-leading choice if you’re looking to lower your energy bills. A lot of heat typically escapes through older front doors, which means you need to use more heating and gas, but the multi-layered construction of composite doors means they’re great for keeping the warmth inside.
A traditional aesthetic
If you love the look of natural wood without the upkeep, composite is the perfect way to get that timber appearance. Classic panel designs and woodgrain finishes are widely available.
Strong security features
The steel-reinforced frame combined with multi-point locking systems makes composite doors incredibly difficult to force open, giving you genuine peace of mind. This unlike older timber doors, which can actually become susceptible to deteriorating and becoming weaker over time.
Built for modern life
Composite doors are pretty easy to keep looking their best. The GRP skin is very easy to wipe clean, regardless of whether it has bird excrement, a spilt drink or general weathering, and it won’t suffer from insect damage or peel. This means no precious weekends or evenings spent pampering your front door… who wants to do that!
Introducing uPVC doors
uPVC stands for unplasticised polyvinyl chloride. We know this sounds pretty complicated, so in simple terms it’s a rigid, durable plastic that’s been used in UK homes since the 1980s. It started life as a budget alternative to timber but has since grown into the country’s most popular door material.
A modern uPVC door is built from a multi-chamber profile (those internal pockets trap warm air and reduce heat transfer) reinforced with steel, then finished with double glazed units where required.
What are the benefits of uPVC front doors?
uPVC doors offer a brilliant balance of cost, performance and practicality.
Affordability
uPVC is typically the most cost-effective of the three materials, making it ideal if you’re working to a tighter budget. It’s important to write that this lower price is not because of a compromise in quality, but the material’s ability to be mass-produced.
Strong thermal performance
uPVC front doors are actually really good at keeping heat inside your home, largely thanks to their construction. Cut the door in half and you’ll notice a load of pockets in it’s interior, which essentially trap the heat and stop it from escaping. Just like with composite doors, this translates to lower bills.
Woodgrain effects and customisation
Modern uPVC doors come in a wide range of colours and woodgrain foils such as oak and rosewood, giving you a similar look to natural wood with far less maintenance.
Introducing aluminium doors
Aluminium is a lightweight yet incredibly strong metal used everywhere from skyscrapers to aircraft. In recent years it has become a favourite for premium doors and windows in residential homes too.
Aluminium doors are a stylish choice, but also a sustainable one. The material is 100% recyclable, and has a thermal break to prevent heat escaping. It also has a really long lifespan.
What are the benefits of aluminium front doors?
Aluminium has become the go-to choice for homeowners who want something more design-led.
Contemporary style
A larger proportion of glass, powder coating and the minimalist clean lines give aluminium a sharp, architectural look that suits modern homes and new construction beautifully. The strength of the frame means it can support larger, heavier panes of glass, which is not only useful for entrance doors, but patio styles like bifold and sliding doors.
Strength and durability
You won’t need to worry about every sudden downpour impacting your door. Aluminium is resistant to moisture and the finish won’t peel.
If anything, a bit of rain will provide your home entrance with a bit of shine! Its strength supports larger glass panes and it’s tough enough to withstand significant impact.
Improved thermal performance
Historically, aluminium wasn’t the warmest material going. Modern thermal break technology has changed that, and it now competes with the best the industry has to offer.
100% recyclable
Aluminium can be recycled endlessly without losing its quality, making it one of the most sustainable choices for a new front door.
What is the best front door to buy?
Composite, uPVC and aluminium are all excellent choices. The best one for you depends on what matters most for your home and budget.
Choose composite doors if:
- Thermal performance is your top priority
- You don’t mind spending a bit more for premium quality
- A traditional look is important to you
- Home security is at the top of your list
Choose uPVC doors if:
- You’re looking to save some money upfront
- Reducing your energy bills is a key priority
- You want something low maintenance
- A wood effect finish appeals to you
Choose aluminium doors if:
- You’re after a modern, architectural look
- You want to incorporate decorative glass
- Easy cleaning matters to you
- You want a long-lasting, recyclable door
Composite front doors from Sandymount
We supply and install composite doors from leading suppliers, including Hallmark. These are constructed in the same way as described above, a solid wooden core, a layer of foam insulation, a tough GRP outer skin and a steel frame to ensure outstanding strength throughout its lifespan.
These doors are highly customisable, so you can match your home’s aesthetic, go for something to standout, or blend in with surrounding nature. Woodgrain effects, such as the beautiful Oakwood or Darkwood, convincingly replicate the aesthetic of a timber front door, and shades including anthracite grey and sage green and great for subtle colour. These doors are available in any RAL colour, so you can easily match existing windows.
They’re A++ rated for energy efficiency, which is pretty much as good as you can get, meaning you’re maximising energy savings.
uPVC front doors from Sandymount
Our uPVC front doors are sourced from Rehau. With multi-point locking and quality hardware they’re a secure pick at a good price.
uPVC materials are typically associated with a plain white finish, which needn’t be the case if you’d prefer something more unique, either. Just like our composite and aluminium front doors, every RAL colour is available, as well as beautiful woodgrain replicas like Rosewood and Mahogany.
Aluminium front doors from Sandymount
We’re proud partners of award-winning manufacturer Origin, offering aluminium front doors with really competitive U-Values and a choice of over 150 RAL colours, including Anthracite Grey and Jet Black, which are chosen regularly for new builds/red brick properties especially.
Stainless steel bar handles, multi-point locking systems and bespoke sizing come as standard, all backed by an industry-leading 20-year guarantee.
Who are Sandymount Windows & Doors?
We’re a leading provider of high-quality windows and doors, serving homeowners across North Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucester and the outskirts of Bristol. All our building and fitting is done in-house and we’re proudly accredited by FENSA, BFRC and CHAS.
Ready to find the perfect front door for your home? Pop into our Cirencester showroom, call us on 01793 230684 or email windowsanddoors@sandymount.co.uk. We’d love to help.
