Front doors are an important part of your home. They often frame first impressions and set the tone for the rest of your exterior design decisions. Serving dual functions, front doors also invite guests in and keep unwanted intruders out.
As they play a key role in the safety of your home, its appearance and energy efficiency, how do you choose the right front door for your home? Here are some factors to consider that would add value to your home and enhance your curb appeal with the perfect front door.
Learn More: A Guide To Choosing The Right Doors For Every Room
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1. Material
The three main materials that are commonly used to make front doors are fibreglass, steel and wood. Some modern front door systems usually combine two or more of these materials.
Wooden doors made from different woods such as mahogany, maple, walnut, cherry, fir, pine and oak are a popular choice among many homeowners thanks to their classic, rustic look and their outstanding resistance to dents and scratches. When it comes to solid wooden doors, the details are everything and a thicker door with more intricate carvings and mouldings is considered an aesthetic choice.
Doors that are made of steel are the most obvious choice if your main priority is security. Premium steel doors are usually built with an inner steel frame and high-density foam insulation and unlike wood or fibreglass doors, they won’t crack or warp. If you don’t like the look of steel, you can customise your steel doors with stainable wood-fibre coating, laminated wood veneer or other finishes.
Fibreglass doors are also a popular choice among many because they are resistant to wear and tear, can be painted or stained, available in different colours and textures and require minimal maintenance. However, do take note that cheap fibreglass doors can crack and break under impact and should be avoided at all costs.
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2. Security Features
When it comes to security, most materials provide equal strength and durability. The locking mechanism is the most important aspect you should consider. Your door lock should be at least one inch long and fitted with a metal strike plate. If the door you decide on has glass elements, make sure they are glazed and have certifications for both brittle and shatter resistance.
You can also consider modern locking systems like a digital door lock which features keyless entry either via a smartphone, a transponder, keypad entry, RFID entry, or fingerprint reader.
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3. Colours
Natural varnished wood is a classic piece, but if you want to make a statement, bold colours like orange, red, blue, green and high-glossed black as well as stainless steel have been a popular pick among many. But before deciding on a colour for your door, do consider your environment, the aesthetics of your community and the overall design of your own home. You wouldn’t want your door colour to clash with your exterior decor or absorb heat, especially with Singapore’s humid climate.
We hope these tips will give you a clearer picture of what you need to look for when you are considering upgrading your HDB main door. Whether you wish to enhance your overall curb appeal or are looking for a fire-rated door to improve security, do check out Liminal’s wide range of doors. You can also contact our experts if you would like to know more about our products.
