New front door

[UnagiForLife]

Hi we are looking to get a new front door but we’re completely clueless! Currently we have large double wooden doors painted dark brown. They have been repainted many times so look a bit ropey, they are not very energy efficient and don’t let any light into the hallway.

I like the privacy of having solid wooden doors (i.e. if I look through the peep hole and don’t want to open the door to someone they wouldn’t know we were at home) but think maybe we could have some kind of small frosted windows high up in the new doors to let a bit of light in.

Our first decision: Should we go for hardwood, treated redwood or composite?

Any tips on designs?

Our house is a bungalow built in the 1970s some of it is red brick, some of it is pebble dash which we’re thinking of painting white.

We got a composite door about 5 years ago. It made a tangiable difference to our heating bill the following winter -(beast from the east year). reduction about £15/month.

Stick with wood. composite involves taking out the original doorframe - which would be expensive to replace. Wood designs are timeless, composite, are of now, and date quickly.

Thanks for your replies. I like the idea of the energy efficiency of composite but if we went for wood, which in my heart I want to, should we go hardwood or treated redwood?

Also I think we definitely need a new door frame either way as the current one is knackered.

If choosing wood, avoid a commonly used timber called 'Sapele' (of African origin). Looks like a hardwood, but rots in the British climate (my last door - sold to me as oak -lasted less than seven years). Difficult, as timber isn't labelled, and you have to take it on trust.

@Isleoftights thanks for that - my builder has just asked me if I want that wood for my windows - I will stick to oak!