Exterior doors are an important aspect of any home improvement project. Front entry doors are the first thing that visitors to your home will see and you will want to make a good impression. One way to be sure of doing that is with UPVC doors. A UPVC door has several advantages over a wooden door. There's no denying that a beautifully finished wooden door is appealing. The question is, how long will that wooden door retain its appeal? In many cases, you will have to replace or repair the wood within a few years, as wood is susceptible to weathering and rotting. And it doesn't take long for that lovely glossy exterior to become a peeling eyesore. If you live in a listed building, you may have to choose timber doors and windows for your remodelling project, but anywhere else, UPVC replacement windows and doors can offer long term value.
The good news is that exterior home doors do not have to be white plastic. Although that is the finish most commonly associated with vinyl exterior doors PVCU is now available in wood effect finishes. Most manufacturers can offer your front entry doors, PVCU patio doors, conservatory doors and double glazed windows in light and dark UPVC finishes. They will look like wood, but will have the weathertight properties that are one of the main advantages of UPVC windows and doors.
And that's only the start. You can add a touch of style to your vinyl patio doors, external doors, and other plastic doors, with glass panels. These come in a wide range of finishes. You can add a touch of colour to external doors or outside doors with stained glass panels. If you prefer a more understated look, you can use plain bevelled glass panels with a subtle design.
Your PVC doors can let in as much or as little light as you wish. You may prefer just a small panel which allows you to see who's at the door as an alternative to a peephole. Another option is to have several glass panels which let light into a dark hallway area. As an alternative to including these in the front entry doors, consider putting frosted glass panels at either side of the UPVC doors. Even with frosting, there are different effects you can have, depending on the level of opacity required. If privacy is not a consideration when you remodel, external doors can have almost clear glass panes. However, there are different levels of frosting, and some outside doors allow only a little light to pass through while obscuring the vision of any unexpected callers.
If you plan to install plastic doors, then security may also be a concern. The good news is that the locks on UPVC exterior doors are among the most secure available. Not only can you get secure Yale locks, but the standard locking mechanism favours security, with a 'twist and turn' locking process that keeps the door tightly shut and weathertight. With security, insulation, weather resistance and a wide range of finishes, you can't beat UPVC exterior doors.
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Adrian Jones has been involved in the home improvement market for many years. He writes articles outlining the benefits of using PVCu or Vinyl when replacing windows or doors as illustrated on http://www.atonicdoubleglazing.co.uk. |
