Over the years, we have seen many homeowners using different materials for their front doors. Initially, timber dominated the market, with the higher quality timber rising to the top. In more recent years, particularly since the 1970s, we have seen a massive rise in the use of uPVC as the most popular choice. The lack of weather resistance and high maintenance costs of timber and the comparatively much higher weather resistance and lower maintenance costs for uPVC made that the much-preferred option for newly installed doors across the UK. However, we quickly see a rise in Aluminium as the premium option for many homeowners across the UK. Aluminium’s sustainability, weather resistance and high security potential have made it one of the more popular choices in the 21st century. However, uPVC remains a solid and more affordable alternative for homeowners who don’t want to invest the high amounts required by Aluminium. So which door is going to be best for you? The uPVC or the Aluminium? Here at Chigwell Window Centre, we want to ensure that all of our customers are completely certain and informed of what they’re investing in. So we have compiled a list of pros and cons for both types of the door, so you can be assured that you know what you’re buying!
uPVC Doors
uPVC has been one of the most used materials globally and across the industry. Its easy to manipulate properties, relatively cheap manufacturing cost, recyclability, and high-performance levels have made it the go-to for many years. uPVC doors in the UK today are the product of over 30 years of development by all manufacturers to improve on and make the most of this versatile material. uPVC differs from the timer in that it is not affected by the weather. Wood absorbs water naturally, and at the time that uPVC came to the market, it was incredibly expensive and took up a lot of time keeping timber doors in working order. uPVC offered an alternative that was both cheaper and required less maintenance. This low maintenance and low price has continued today, with uPVC front doors still remaining one of the most durable and affordable installations available! uPVC doors from Chigwell Window Centre are manufactured in-house and made to measure. We also offer a vast range of colour options so that you can make sure that your uPVC door suits your home. If you’re concerned about losing the traditional heritage feel your home has with its current timber door, we have plenty of wood-like finishes that give your door that wooden look you’re looking for! Ultimately, the uPVC door is a wonderful choice for the homeowner looking for an affordable performance that measures up to modern standards and has a plethora of customisation options.
Aluminium Doors
The aluminium door is a relatively modern innovation compared to uPVC and timber. Modern home interior design trends have turned towards critall style and steel look features. With this trend came the heavy use of greys and blacks across ultra-modern homes that continues to be fashionable. Practically, the aluminium door provides a host of benefits that come with its premium price tag compared to uPVC. Aluminium doors are exceptionally secure due to their metal composition and provide the highest levels of security on the market today. It used to be that aluminium doors were poor thermal insulators compared to timber and uPVC, but that is no longer the case. Thermal break technology installed in all aluminium doors keeps a permanent gap between the aspects of the door that are in contact with the outside and the aspects that are on the inside. This gap prevents cold air from passing clean through the door and gives the aluminium door a strong thermal efficiency equivalent to uPVC. Aluminium doors boast the longer of the two lifespans between themselves and uPVC. uPVC tends to last around 25-30 years, whereas an aluminium door can easily make it 45 years and beyond. As a long term investment, the aluminium door is the way to go.
Aluminium and uPVC Doors from Chigwell
Chigwell Window Centre is proud to offer both uPVC and aluminium doors to our customers across the UK. We manufacture both kinds of doors in-house and ensure that all of our products are made to measure. We also provide a plethora of customisation options for all of our products. Both uPVC and aluminium doors have their own set of colours to ensure that you get the door that best suits the style.
When it comes to which is better, there is no one answer. It truly depends on what you’re looking for. Both doors offer excellent thermal performance, weather resistance and levels of security. uPVC offers a more affordable price tag and fuller customisation options with woodgrain finishes. On the other hand, Aluminium provides a much longer life span, giving your home a door that will potentially last for 45 years plus.
Whichever you decide is best for you, Chigwell Window Centre has the door you’re looking for. Please use our free pricing tool to get a quick quote today! The engine is easy to use and walks you through the process step by step, so you can imagine the door you’re after and get a feel for how much it will cost. Similarly, if you have any specific questions about our products, please use our online contact form and let us know your query! Our wonderful team members will get back to you ASAP. We also have a phone service you can call us on at 0203 667 9707.
We look forward to hearing from you!
