Exterior Wooden Door Comparison

Wooden Doors

Exterior Wooden Door Comparison

Comparison of Exterior Wooden Doors, uPVC Doors, Aluminium Doors, and Security Doors

Exterior doors refer to any doors that connect the inside of a building with the outside, such as front doors, back doors, or apartment doors. For many years, timber has been the primary material for exterior doors, but nowadays other materials such as uPVC and aluminium are also widespread. Before making your decision it is advisable to explore the features of exterior wooden doors and compare them with other types of exterior doors. Below are descriptions of several types of exterior doors, intended to help you choose the best option.

Benefits of exterior wooden doors:

Natural appearance and cosiness,
Durability,
Energy efficiency,
Nature-friendliness,
Many design options.

Drawbacks of exterior wooden doors:

High price,
Medium security level,
Regular maintenance needed.

Exterior doors can be made of different materials, so there are exterior wooden doors, uPVC doors, aluminium doors, and security doors, among other options. Each type of exterior doors has its benefits and drawbacks that should be taken into consideration. To make the choice easier, below is a general comparison of different types of exterior doors. The exact specifications depend greatly on the quality of the materials used and the manufacturing technology, so your exterior doors may have features different from those outlined below.

Exterior Door Features	Wooden Doors	uPVC Doors	Aluminium Doors	Security Doors
Low price	++	+++	+	++
Durability	++	+	+++	+++
Toughness	++	+	+++	+++
Security	++	+	++	+++
Energy efficiency	++	+++	+	+
Sound insulation	++	+	++	+++
Easy operation	+++	+++	+++	++
Design options	+++	+++	++	++
Appearance	+++	++	+++	++
Nature friendliness	+++	++	+++	++
Low maintenance	+	+++	+++	++

Note: more plus signs mean a higher rating.

Exterior doors can be chosen by their intended purpose: whether it is a door for commercial, industrial or residential areas. One of the key aspects is whether the door will be exposed to the elements such as rain, direct sunshine, and severe temperatures. Below are some recommendations for different situations. This is a general picture only, based on the standard characteristics of each exterior door type.

Purpose	Exposed to the Elements	Recommended Exterior Door Type
Apartment doors	No	Security doors
Exterior doors of individual houses	Yes	Wooden doors, security doors, uPVC doors
Exterior doors of apartment buildings	Yes	Security doors, aluminium doors
Exterior doors of public buildings	Yes	Aluminium doors, uPVC doors
Exterior doors of non-residential buildings	Yes	Aluminium doors, security doors

Exterior Wooden Doors

Wooden doors stand for tradition, ecology, and cosiness. The advantages of wood as a building material are numerous. Wood is a good thermal insulator, so your exterior doors will keep the heat in winter and the cool air in summer. Wood can be easily shaped, so there are many designs to choose from, to suit both traditional and modern interiors. If necessary, new wooden doors can be manufactured so that to replicate ...Read more the old doors. A wide range of wood species can be used to make wooden doors, including oak, pine, walnut, alder, and many more. They differ in colour and grain texture, so each project can have a perfect match. The surface of wooden doors can be either painted or stained, depending on whether you prefer a solid colour or want to highlight the natural wood pattern; there is a wide selection of colours and stains available. What is more, wooden doors are environmentally friendly: the wood is taken from controlled forests that are continuously replanted. In addition, the wood treatment is based on non-chemical ingredients. However, being a natural material, wood is sensitive to humidity, changes in temperature, dry weather; wood is also a target of insects such as termites. If not properly sealed, wood may gradually lose its appearance and warp, split, or rot resulting in poor wooden door performance. Nowadays, before using it for door production, wood is treated with various substances which make the wood resistant to insect attacks and humidity. Nevertheless, a proper coating such as paint, stain or varnish is still necessary. It is this coating that makes up the most of wooden door maintenance. You need to inspect it regularly for any cracks, and make touch-ups or renew the coating if necessary. If treated correctly, wooden doors will be durable and keep their attractive appearance for many years. It should also be noted that wooden doors can provide only moderate security: even though wooden doors are sturdy and strong, they can be broken if sufficient physical force is used. Finally, wooden door prices are quite high, and depend mostly on the type of wood used. Wooden doors can be used in many areas, but they look best as front doors and interior doors. Wooden doors are the best choice for people who prefer natural materials and are ready to spend some time to make the beauty last. Hide

Exterior uPVC Doors

Exterior uPVC doors are made from hollow uPVC profiles which are sub-divided into many sections to achieve high energy efficiency rates. Exterior uPVC doors can be laminated in different wood grain and solid colours. Exterior uPVC doors have a very affordable price, but are not as durable as other types of exterior doors.

Benefits of exterior uPVC doors:

Low price,
Energy efficiency,
Easy operation,
Wide choice of colours and fillings,
Low maintenance.

Drawbacks of exterior uPVC doors:

Less durable,
Not as sturdy,
Medium security level,
Lower sound insulation.

Exterior Aluminium Doors

Exterior aluminium doors are highly resistant to weather conditions, and need almost no maintenance. They are ideal for public buildings and other places where doors are heavily used. But compared to other types of exterior doors, aluminium doors have higher prices. If aluminium doors are manufactured without a thermal break, they are more prone to heat loss.

Benefits of exterior aluminium doors:

Durability,
Toughness,
Large sizes available,
Security,
Solid appearance,
Low maintenance.

Drawbacks of exterior aluminium doors:

High price,
Poor energy efficiency (if no thermal breaks are installed).

Security Doors

Security doors are designed to prevent burglaries and protect your property. They are made using reinforced steel structures and expensive, high security level locks. However, security doors are heavy and not as comfortable as other exterior door types.

Benefits of security doors:

Security,
Durability,
Toughness,
Sound insulation,
Medium price.

Drawbacks of security doors:

Not as convenient – more locks included,
Lower heat insulation,
Fewer design options.

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Exterior Wooden Door Comparison