Knock, knock 2025!

January 9, 2025

We all know how important first impressions are, and it’s no different when it comes to your front door. Think about it this way: your front door is the first part of your home that anyone sees when they arrive and the last when they leave.

Front doors can transform the look of a home, add to the overall kerb appeal and also give potential buyers something to remember it by. Something as simple as a fresh coat of paint could turn an otherwise ordinary home into “the house with the red door”. Cube answers those pressing front door questions about design, materials and glazing:

MATERIAL

In comparison to say colours, the front door material choice is relatively straightforward. Different benefits and advantages will help you rule out certain materials and make an informed decision. We’ve pulled out all the key attributes of the most popular options:

Composite doors
• Suit any home;
• Very popular front door material choice;
• Traditional, modern & contemporary options available;
• Natural-looking woodgrain;
• Combines durability with elegant design;
• Energy efficient and secure.

uVPC doors
• Suit any home;
• Great value, whilst providing good security;
• Energy efficient;
• Extensive range of colours, designs & furniture;
• Easy to maintain;
• Rust and rot resistant.

Timber & solid oak doors
• Most suitable for traditional homes;
• Tough and hard wearing;
• High-quality sustainable wood;
• Natural, timeless & elegant;
• Naturally insulating.

Aluminium doors
• Best suited to contemporary homes;
• Ultra-slim profile maximises light in your home;
• Easy to maintain;
• Naturally durable & strong;
• Doesn’t expand or warp in heat.

COLOUR CHOICES

Do you want to keep it neutral or go bright and bold? Or how about black? When it comes to choosing a colour for your front door you really are spoilt for choice which makes this decision possibly one of the hardest.

Bright colours can add a sense of playfulness to a contemporary or 1930s style front door, while period doors project upmarket sophistication in a coat of black or white. Ultimately, it comes down to your personal taste and once you’ve made a decision the rest is easy-peasy, assuming you like the current design of your front door. But before applying a new colour, do make sure the door is still secure and thermally efficient.

You may want to paint it yourself or leave the painting to a professional. Some suppliers offer spray painting and we recommend focusing your search on those who offer a colour warranty as this ensures your door is finished to the utmost quality. Spray painting achieves a very even coverage without any brush strokes, and can look somewhat industrial, whereas a hand-painted front door has a finer finish and gives traditional doors a more natural, authentic look.

Cube’s top tip: Dual coating is the catchphrase if you’ve chosen a bold colour for your front door and you can also create a nice contrast by painting the inside in a more subtle or modest shade.

COLOUR COGNITION

Have you ever wondered how the colour of your front door could be perceived by others? Here’s a fun little guide:

• Black: indicates sophistication, power, mystery and calm
• Grey: implies contentment
• Brown: warm, stable & organic
• White: perfection
• Red: passion
• Orange: warmth
• Yellow: logic
• Green: health & wealth
Purple: extravagance
Blue: peace
Pink: for love

GLAZING GOALS

For total privacy, a solid door without glazing may be the ideal choice. However, it’s important to consider natural light. If you have a small hallway, your door opens directly into a living space or if light is generally limited, incorporating glazing is often advisable. Many doors offer a range of glazing styles such as small squares, semi-circles and larger panes. Privacy or frosted glass is your secret solution to maintaining privacy in a stylish way. Glazing also comes in colour and pattern options, allowing you to add a pop of color or a decorative touch to a more traditional door design.

PORCH PERKS

A porch is a great addition to your home’s entrance, offering you and your front door protection from the elements. Open and bungalow porches are among the most popular designs and it’s just a matter of figuring out which style suits your home best. Keep the area clean and clutter-free to maintain your home’s kerb appeal. Lighting options such as downlighting, side lights, or even fairy lights can beautifully illuminate and display a warm “welcome”.

FURNISHING TOUCHES

Choices, here we go again! From the style of the door handle, letterbox and door knocker to the colour finish, there are literally hundreds of options. A little bit of research to establish which design and finish complements your front door won’t go amiss.

It’s worth looking out for added value such as warranties when choosing your ironmongery. Some suppliers offer them for cylinders, door locks, hinges and handles. Invest in good finishes and make sure good looks match durability, otherwise the appearance of your beautiful door can quickly be tarnished. Lifetime coating warranties on chrome, gold or marine grade stainless steel letter plates and door handles are your best bet as these areas tend to be subject to the most wear and tear.  

While multi-point locking remains a traditional choice for door security, there are now various keyless entry solutions available. You can pair a multi-lock system with keyless entry for enhanced convenience and security.

Interestingly, the door frame is just as important as the front door itself. Painting the existing frame in a colour that matches the door or using the same colour for a new frame will make the overall door frame appear bigger and add a contemporary touch.

OPEN THE DOOR TO CUBE

May we come in?

Cube offers a fully bespoke end-to-end service for everything that’s behind that precious front door of yours. Maybe you’re keen to refurbish, extend or convert the loft of your home?

We will look after your project from design and project management through to build and completion. Sometimes customers already have design plans and planning permission in place, in which case Cube seamlessly steps in to carry out the required building works.

Well, we could even spruce up your front door as part of any wider home improvement project too. Fancy having a chat with a member of our award-winning team?

Our initial consultation is complementary and could open the door to new spatial opportunities:

T: 020 8432 9676
E: space@cubelofts.co.uk