A new front door isn't a frequent purchase — it's a decision you'll live with for years. It's the focal point of your home, the first thing a visitor sees, and it takes more use and more weather than any other door in the house. So it's worth taking the time to get it right. Here's what to weigh up before you buy: material, style, glazing, security and the hardware that finishes it off.
What to consider before you buy
| Consideration | Why it matters |
|---|---|
| The age and style of your home | A period property and a new build suit very different doors. |
| How exposed the door is | Coastal, riverside or south-facing doors take more weather and need a more stable door and more upkeep. |
| Maintenance | How often are you willing to re-oil or re-treat it? |
| Security | Lock specification, glazing and the strength of the door itself. |
| Glazed or solid | How much daylight you want in the hallway, and how much privacy. |
| Hardware | Handles, hinges, knocker and letterplate — and matching their finishes. |
Choosing the material
Timber is the classic choice for a front door, and it comes in two forms. Solid oak is heavy, beautiful and full of character, but it moves with the weather and needs treating more often. Engineered oak is built around a stable core with an oak face: it's lighter, and it resists the warping, twisting and cracking that solid timber can suffer in damp, dry or coastal conditions — so it needs noticeably less upkeep.
Both look the part. If your door is sheltered by a porch and you don't mind the maintenance, solid oak is hard to beat. If it's exposed, engineered is the safer bet. Browse our oak external doors and hard-wearing hardwood external doors to compare.
Glazed or solid?
Glass is the quickest way to brighten a dark hallway. A fully glazed front door lets in the most light; a half glazed door puts glass over a solid lower panel, which keeps more privacy and a more traditional look. A solid door gives the most privacy and the most substantial feel.
Modern glazed front doors use double-glazed sealed units with toughened safety glass, so you don't trade warmth or security for the daylight. Obscured glazing keeps the light but blurs the view, which suits a street-facing door. For the most glass of all, our glazed external doors and French doors open a room right up.
Style: traditional or contemporary?
Match the door to the house. Traditional external doors — panelled, cottage and period styles — sit naturally on an older or character property. Contemporary external doors, with cleaner lines and bolder glazing, suit a modern home or a renovation. Look at as many styles as you can before you settle: the right door should look like it was always meant to be there.
Security
A front door is your home's main barrier, so the lock matters as much as the door. A 5-lever mortice sashlock or a multipoint locking system is the usual standard, and you can add extra bolts or latches for peace of mind. On a glazed door, toughened or laminated glass in a sealed double-glazed unit keeps the security intact — a well-specified glazed door is every bit as secure as a solid one.
Hardware and the finishing touches
The last decision is the ironmongery, and it's the one that pulls the whole door together. For a coordinated look, match the finish across the handle, hinges, knocker and letterplate — chrome, satin chrome, brass or black. Choose fittings made for outdoor use so they don't corrode, and don't rush it: good hardware is what makes a door look considered rather than ordinary.
Browse our external door hardware, including complete front door handle sets that come with a matched lock and hinges.
Frequently asked questions
What should I look for when buying a new front door?
Weigh up the material, style, glazing, security and hardware — and how exposed the door is. A timber door suits most homes; check the lock specification and match the hardware finishes for a coordinated look.
What's the best material for a front door?
Solid oak and hardwood look superb and last decades if treated. Engineered oak is more stable — it resists warping, twisting and cracking and needs less maintenance, which makes it the safer choice for an exposed or coastal home.
Solid oak or engineered oak?
Solid oak is heavier, full of character, and needs re-treating more often. Engineered oak has a stable core beneath an oak face, so it holds its shape in damp, dry or coastal conditions and needs less upkeep.
Is a glazed front door secure?
Yes, when it's specified properly. Glazed front doors use toughened or laminated glass in double-glazed units, paired with multipoint locking — as secure as a solid door, with far more daylight.
How much does a new front door cost?
Typically £450–£2,500 supplied, depending on material, size and glazing, with fitting on top. Our cost guide for external door replacement breaks down every part of the bill.
Take your time and the right door will be obvious. Browse our external front doors in oak and hardwood, or the full external doors range — and if you'd like a second opinion on what suits your home, our team is happy to help.
Related reads
| Cost guide for external door replacement | What a new front door actually costs, supplied and fitted. |
| External doors with glass: fully glazed vs half glazed | How much glass is right for your entrance. |
| How to treat external wood doors | Keep your new timber door protected for decades. |
