How Secure is Your Front Door?

It’s important to make sure your home is safe from potential intruders. Is your front door as secure as you’d like it to be? Is it in good enough condition to keep burglars away? In this post we’re going to be taking a look at what you can do to deter would-be intruders from getting into your home by making sure all main access points are secure.

Keep Your Door Locked When Leaving the House

It may seem perfectly obvious but always make sure you keep your front door locked, even if you’re only leaving for a short time. It’s also important to take a good close look at your doors, both front and back, and check to see if they are in good enough condition, are they fixed to the wall securely? It only takes the slightest provocation if your doors are not secure for intruders to enter.

Replacing Your Front Door

If your front door isn’t in as good a condition as you’d like it to be, then replace it. When you do, make sure it’s an extremely thick door and one that’s not easy to knock down.

Front Door Locks

You need to fit good quality locks in order to give yourself the security you need. A mortise lock is crucial for exterior doors and helps them to avoid being vulnerable to attack. It’s enough to put off intruders so do give it careful consideration.

Front Door Frames

A good front door frame equals a good front door. If the frame isn’t strong enough or isn’t in as good a condition as your door, then you’re house isn’t safe. A loose front door frame is a liability and it won’t matter how strong the rest of your door and locks are. Make sure you check your door frame thoroughly and if it needs repair make sure you securely fit it with screws and bolts. If you don’t think you can do it yourself, then call in a professional to take a look.

Ensure Back Doors are Safe as Well as the Front

If an intruder can’t get in via the front door, then he might just try his luck at the back, so don’t make it easy for him. Do something about it and make sure the back doors are safe too, make sure there are locks from the top to the bottom and of course that goes for your front door as well. Any connecting doors should be securely locked and also your garage.

There should be no easy points of entry at any part of your house. Use mortise locks on your back doors too so it’s impregnable both at the front and back.

Patio Doors and French Windows

These should also be fitted with mortise bolts or locking bolts which are surface mounted and securely fitted so they don’t move. A burglar will just love an easy to enter patio door, it’s one of their favourite points of entry, so make sure this is one area you take care of.

Letter Boxes on Your Front Door

Make sure the letter box isn’t near the lock on your door. An intruder can slip their arm through and open the door this way. Make sure it’s a safe distance from the locks. You could even have a door viewer installed into your door so you can see who is behind the door, it’s useful in urban areas and it’s also popular with older people.

We hope you’ve found our guide on front door security useful. It’s important you keep your home safe with secure doors and locks. If there’s anything you don’t understand or you have any further questions about this or any other security related question then contact us today.

Replacement Kitchen Cabinet Doors

Replacing your kitchen cabinet doors can give a fresh, clean feel to an old kitchen. Because they are exposed, and subjected to heavy wear and tear, your cabinet doors could end up in much worse condition than the cabinets themselves. Or it could just be that the style looks a bit dated, but the actual cabinets themselves could be fine. So why go to all the effort and expense of having them ripped out completely, when it’s mostly only the doors that people will see?

Getting replacement kitchen cabinet doors can refresh your kitchen for a fraction of the cost of buying entirely new units. Here’s how to decide if it’s time to replace your kitchen cabinet doors.

What you want from your kitchen?

If you are planning major layout changes, or looking for cabinets that have all the modern design features, you might need to consider getting entirely new kitchen units.

If your only real concern is that your current kitchen looks dated, or that your existing cabinet doors are looking less than pristine after years of use, replacement kitchen cabinet doors can give the room a facelift. They can make an old kitchen feel like a new one at a fraction of the price.

Are your cabinets still up to scratch?

The great thing about just getting replacement kitchen cabinet doors is that can save you a lot of money on the cost of installing entirely new kitchen units. You won’t find yourself making much of a saving, however, if your existing cabinets aren’t very strong, have degraded, or were made of low quality materials to begin with.

To make getting replacement kitchen cabinet doors worthwhile you want to have strong cabinets that are going to last for a long time. If your cabinets are weak, you may need to look at replacing the entire unit, rather than fitting it with new doors.

What will your budget allow?

In an ideal world you might want an entirely new kitchen. Getting replacement kitchen cabinet doors provides you with an affordable middle ground between forking out for entirely new units or continuing to put up with your existing ones. It is worth getting a quote for replacing your cabinet doors, as you could realise that it’s a much more affordable solution, and solves your problems without costing the earth.

Want to brighten up your existing kitchen? Browse our options for beautiful replacement kitchen cabinet doors, then contact us to discuss how we can bring new life to your existing kitchen units.

Choosing a Colour for Your Front Door

The impact of a front door colour can be quite dramatic. It can be more important than you think and with careful consideration and a little hard work, it could give the house some serious curb appeal. It can complement your home, your style and give a distinct welcome to guests.

Maintaining the exterior of your house can be hard work, but a beautifully painted front door can speaks volumes for the people living in it. Painting your door and giving it a completely new look could give your home a real boost, making everyone who passes by curious about who lives inside.

Find a Colour That Fits in With the Front of Your Home

Try and choose a colour that fits with your front door and your home, so don’t automatically choose something that’s your personal favourite. Try and find something that really compliments colours in the wood, brick or stone of your house so you get a good fit. You could also change the front door colour to match curtains and blinds.

Harmonise Your Front Door Colour With the Walls or Landscape

You can take chances with your front door colour and go for something really different, as long as it fits in with something going on in the front of your house, so there’s some harmony with the colour.

Weather Can Have an Impact

Keep in mind that as your front door is the exterior of your house, so it can be affected by weather conditions, like strong sunshine, wind, rain etc. Colours fade over time, so choosing a bolder colour may be a better option as although it may seem bright now, it will fade with time.

Test Colours

You can test colours on the front door and see how they look in daylight, how bright do they look? How does the colour look throughout the course of the day? If you’re still happy with it and you think it’s the right colour for your front door, then go with it.

The Front of Your House is the First Impression For Visitors

Your front door is the entrance to your home and it should stand out as a focal point of your house. Make your front door as distinctive and as full of character as the interior.

Your Door Needs Special Paint

The paint you use on your front door should naturally be different from what you use on the interior doors of your home. The type of paint you use will depend on the quality and condition of your door, so choose carefully.

High gloss paint is ill advised for damaged front doors so consider matte finishes or perhaps a semi-gloss. It’s important you think it through carefully, just in case you spend money on paint only to realise you’ve bought the wrong type.

If you have any questions regarding this or any other topic regarding exterior doors then please do call us, we’re here to help.

Choosing Internal Doors

Choosing internal doors isn’t as straightforward as it seems. There’s so much to consider. Ideally, creating a checklist is a good idea, because it will help you go over some of the things you need to consider before making a purchase. Fitting internal doors should be a simple and straightforward exercise, but only if you’ve covered all your bases first.

What Type of Internal Doors Should You Buy?

An internal door can be made from a variety different materials, including:

• UPVC Internal Doors

• Wooden Internal Doors

• Bespoke Internal Doors

Fire Internal Doors

We’ve covered fire doors in another of our posts, but always remember that a fire door should have been fully tested and meet British Standards before you make a purchase. They’ll be labelled either FD60 or FD30 which is the amount of time each door will allow for escape. You can have them in any style or finish so they’ll blend in with the décor of your home.

Door Handles

Perhaps door handles are the last thing on your mind, but the detail can be important. Not only are they functional, they can match the internal décor of your home, whether it’s classic or contemporary. Cleans lines and minimal fuss are best for a more modern home, while a more decorative handle may be better for classic interiors. Here at The Replacement Door Company we have a great range of door handles.

Fitting Your Internal Doors

Make sure your door is the right size for your doorways, this may seem obvious, but you may have to trim the doors before fitting them or else you might expose the inside. You may have to cut off quite a size so make sure you choose a door that has the option of trimming.

Replacing One Internal Door or Several?

Rather than replace all the doors, perhaps in a new house, you may only be replacing one door. If this is the case, then you’re going to want to match it to the rest of the internal doors.

Make sure that when you choose your new internal doors that you’ll be able to customise it accordingly, so it matches. On the other hand you could just replace all the doors throughout the house and go for a completely new look.

Internal Doors with The Replacement Door Company

If you’re looking to fit one new internal door or every door in the house, here at The Replacement Door Company we can supply you with whatever you need. We have a great range of internal doors, both classic and contemporary designs, and accredited fire doors that meet British Standards.

We also have door handles of every colour and shape imaginable, so that your door can really match your décor beautifully. Get in touch today and let’s see how we can help you choose your internal doors.

Why are internal fire doors in the workplace so important?

If you are responsible for managing your workplace then you’ll understand the importance of internal fire doors. It could save lives.

TheImportance of Internal Fire Doors

Your internal fire doors will be the most important product you add to your work premises. It can prevent fire and smoke damage, stop it from spreading, and give your team enough time to vacate the building. A good fire door can keep a fire contained to one room while giving ample opportunity for occupants to escape.

Never Force Internal Fire Doors Open

Internal fire doors should come with a fire door closer and this will make the fire door close automatically once opened. Never force a fire door open as its purpose is to contain fire, if it’s forced open it will help the fire spread. Here at The Replacement Door Company we have a versatile range of internal fire doors along with fire door closers, or concealed door closers if you don’t like them being in view.

Internal Fire Door Retainers

As we’ve already mentioned forcing an internal fire door open is dangerous and can help a fire to spread. It’s also illegal as well as being unsafe. What you can do if you need to keep a fire door open is invest in a fire door retainer that holds the door open unless an alarm goes off, when it will automatically close.

Internal Fire Doors - FD30 & FD60s

It can’t be stressed enough how important a fire door is for its ability to preserve life and protect property. It can contain a fire and protect any escape routes. Internal fire doors should be able to withhold fire for at least 30 minutes, allowing occupants to escape. FD30 doors are specifically designed to hold back fire for 30 minutes, which would allow for evacuation of the building and enough time for the emergency fire services to arrive. You can also have FD60s and so on if you want more time for people to escape.

Upgrading Your Current Internal Fire Doors

If you already have internal fire doors then you may be interested in having them upgraded. Fire doors will lose their capacity to offer protection over time and it’s in your interests to have it replaced and upgraded to a fire door with the kind of protection mentioned above.

Correct Installation of Internal Fire Doors is Crucial

The installation of internal fire doors is every bit as important as the quality and integrity of the door itself. This is why you need an experienced and qualified door fitter to install it. Find out if the door fitters you choose are members of the Accredited Fire Door Installers Scheme. This scheme ensures that those fitting your fire door are doing it correctly, and in compliance with Building Regulations.

The Replacement Door Company – For Internal Fire Doors You Can Rely On

If you’re looking to upgrade or fit completely new internal fire doors, then get in touch with us here at The Replacement Door Company. Our team are experienced, qualified and well equipped to fit any fire door you need, including FD30s and FD60. We can safely install all your internal fire doors so you have total peace of mind.

What is a Composite Door?

Perhaps someone has suggested the advantages of a composite door to you? Now you’re beginning to wonder what it is, because how can you take advantage of something new, when you’re entirely sure what it is in the first place?

This is post will focus on what a composite door is and what the advantages are for those that are thinking of investing in one.

The materials that go into making a composite door

There are a variety of materials that go into the making of a composite door. Rather than comprising of only one material, a composite door is made from many different ones, all working together to make the door strong, weather proof, and safe.

For example, an outer frame will be made of reinforced steel and the door leave will be made of thermos set fibreglass skin, and this is very durable. It will be fixed onto to some water resistant composite material so your door will be incredibly versatile and hard wearing during winter months.

Insulated and weather-proof

Then, there will be a density foam core which is added to ensure that your door is well insulated. Just because a composite door is built to survive any kind of weather doesn’t mean it has to be ugly. A composite door is a beautiful thing that fits in perfectly with the design of your home.

Keep in mind that a composite door is not only waterproof, resilient and strong they are secure - anyone who tries to break into your home won’t find it easy. A composite door sold by a reputable merchant will have security accreditation PAS 023/024, so you can sleep well at night.

Composite doors also offer first class sound proofing, which means that you can shut the world out and leave it on your doorstep, knowing that once you shut the door, you can have peace and quiet.

Fibreglass

The reason why a composite door is able to provide such excellent sound proofing, weather resistance and insulation is because of all the materials used, especially fibreglass. We’re talking thermos set fibreglass, and this is a material that’s been around for a long time. Fibreglass has been used since the Second World War and used mostly in aviation and aerospace as well as in the automotive industry. More recently it’s been used by the fishing industry, so this is a strong and reliable material. It’s resistant to impact, and has low thermal expansion, so your door won’t become warped.

Composite Doors - plenty of colours and finishes

Don’t worry that because your door is so tough and resistant that it can’t look aesthetically pleasing as well. Our composite doors are made to last, but they also come in a range of finishes and colours. You can have authentic wooden finishes that look just like they were made from wood and we have a large and versatile range of colours.

They’re also scratchproof and that means your door performs to the highest level in providing security, warmth, sound proofing and weather resistance.

Composite Doors with The Replacement Door Company

Now you know what a composite door looks like and what it can do for your home, why not get in touch with us here at The Replacement Door Company and we can help you choose one for your home. 

Why Choose Timber Doors?

When it comes to replacing your doors, timber is the obvious material to go with. It has a range of qualities and benefits which make it the perfect choice. Here’s why timber doors are the best option for your home.

Environmentally Friendly

Timber doors made from managed forests are very friendly to the planet. Trees cut down for timber are replaced by new plantings, and younger trees are better at absorbing CO2 than older trees. Because timber lasts for a long period of time, it doesn’t need replacing very often, so this reduces the amount of material that gets used in the long run. Timber doors take less energy to produce than their PVC counterparts, and on top of that they are recyclable.

Insulating

Being a very dense material, timber doors have great insulating properties. It is a poor conductor, which means you won’t find your heat escaping through the door during the winter. Having timber doors helps to keep the inside temperature nice and regular, so you won’t find yourself alternating between opening the windows and putting on the heating. Wood is also less prone to condensation than other materials.

Durable and Long Lasting Timber Doors

Timber doors are made with a very strong material, able to withstand a lot of punishment. And if it does get damaged it can be easily repaired. Cracked timber doors can be repaired and treated, whereas broken PVC doors will often need to be replaced entirely. When properly treated and looked after, timber doors will last for an incredibly long time. Many old buildings still have timber doors today, and they often only get replaced because the older designs are not compatible with double or triple glazing.

Versatile

Timber is a very useful and versatile material that can be transformed through a range of different treatments. Wood can be painted or stained, allowing it to perfectly blend in with your home. This makes it great for both new builds – where the architect has freedom to be creative with their designs, knowing the wooden components can be altered to fit in – and for replacing the doors on an existing property.

Value For Money

Being so long-lasting and easy to look after makes timber a very cost-effective material. You are paying for a high quality product that will outlast other materials. For this reason, timber doors are great value for money, giving you the most out of your purchase, and for the longest time.

A Beautiful Finish

There’s no denying that a carefully crafted and finished timber door looks beautiful. It provides a striking finish to your home. The addition of such a timeless classic can reinvigorate the outside of your property, and will be sure to make it look great for many years to come.

For beautiful timber doors, lovingly crafted and expertly fitted, get in touch with us today.

What are the Benefits of Sliding Wardrobe Doors?

Are you thinking of having sliding wardrobe doors in your bedroom? You may be in two minds, and you’re unsure about making a decision.

Let us help you.

We’ve put together a few reasons why you might find sliding wardrobe doors the best idea you ever had.

Aesthetics

Sliding wardrobe doors are both elegant and stylish giving your room a sleek, polished finished. With a choice of wood finishes and either mirror or plain doors, a sliding wardrobe door can give your room a contemporary feel as well as extra space.

Floor Space

Yes, a sliding wardrobe door is great at giving you more space, that’s because without hinged doors there’s more room to move. They don’t take up as much floor space as you’d imagine either and are built into your wall with slide panels.

Storage Space

Yes, a sliding wardrobe doesn’t just give you more floor room, it gives you extra cupboard space too. You can have shelves, and a compartment for your shoes, so there’s no more clutter lying around.

Various Finishes & Styles

Wardrobe sliding doors can come in a multitude of different finishes, materials, mirrors and styles, well at least at Replacement Doors they can. You’ll be at an advantage when you see our doors, because there’s an outstanding choice of styles and colours, and it’s very likely that you’ll find something that suits your interior décor with us.

There are different wood finishes such as walnut or pine and glass finishes including patterned and coloured.

Your wardrobe will fit perfectly into the space where your wardrobe once was and what’s more, you can remove the bits and bobs collecting dust at the top and place them inside your wardrobe instead. Yes, no more clutter, more storage and space to boot.

Classic or Contemporary

You can always personalise your sliding doors to match your bedroom and you can have a contemporary style or perhaps opt for something more classic. Whether it’s a gloss finish or matt with some coloured glass, here at Replacement Door we’ll do what we can to give you the kind of sliding doors that’ll fit right in with your personal style.

Adding Value

Adding good quality sliding wardrobe doors to your bedroom is an attractive asset for potential buyers if you put your home on the market in the future. It can attract the right kind of attention if you make sure you have good quality furniture – that works throughout the house, in the kitchen, and the living room.

Replacement Door For Your Sliding Wardrobe Doors

If you’re still unsure or you want to talk through some of the ideas you have, then do get in touch and talk to us. Don’t be shy, we’re a friendly team here at The Replacement Door  Company and we value all our customer’s input. We’ll do everything we can to make sure your sliding wardrobe doors are exactly to your requirements, so come in and talk to us and let’s get started.

Why Do You Need a New Front Door?

Front doors in Scotland may be little more than a way of getting in or out of your home or commercial property, but it is so much more than that. First impressions count, and your door is the gateway not only to your home, but a tantalising hint of what lies within, whether it’s a business or a family home.

Front doors can serve many purposes as well as allowing you to enter and leave a property.

Appearances Count

Your home looks a whole lot more inviting with an entrance. You think they're just front doors, but it’s the first thing anyone sees before they enter your home. A shabby door leads to shabby impressions, a beautiful door in keeping with the architecture of the house leads to a great first impression and that’s a great start. It’s the one thing that a potential buyer will see and it could also increase the value of your home – so it’s a worthwhile investment.

If you run a business your front doors may be your shop front and first impressions really do count. Your front door will give an indication of what business you’re in and whether you’re open for business in every sense of the word.

Warmth and Security

Front doors will keep you warm in winter if you choose well. You don’t want one that let’s drafts in during cold spells and if your current door is starting to do exactly that, then perhaps it’s time to consider a new door with draft exclusion. You’ll save on energy and heating bills in the long run.

You want your front doors to give your family security, you want to be able shut the door on the world and know that your family is safe from harm. So consider the strength and robustness of your door and the materials chosen, your external doors should be tough and hardwearing with a sturdy lock.

Maintenance and Hallway Soundproofing

An initial investment in a robust well-made door will pay dividends in the long run as it will prove easier and cheaper to maintain over the years, keeping its shape, function and appearance. By choosing the right door, you’ll also secure decent sound proofing for your hallway – important if you live directly on a main road with a constant flow of traffic and people directly outside your door. Peace and quiet is something that you value when you own your own home and a good door will give you exactly that.

In conclusion then, a good quality well fitted external doors are a great idea to:

• Increase the value of your home

• Increase the value and reputation of your commercial property/business

• Improve the appearance of your home/business

• Provide better standards of warmth and security for your property

• Provide better maintenance and hallway soundproofing.

So if you’re looking to improve your home or commercial property, starting with a good quality external doors, then get in touch. We’re a friendly and professional team and we’re always willing to help. 

The Benefits of Composite Doors

If you know very little about composite doors and you’ve been advised by family or friends about how good they are, you probably need to know a little more before you make a firm decision about whether or not to go ahead and buy. They have become extremely popular in the past few years in the UK, as they’re so robust and hard wearing, and with the kind of British weather we have that’s good news.

What Does Composite Mean?

Composite doors are made from several different materials, such as PVC, steel and hardwood, and eco-friendly polyurethane foam is also used to provide insulation, keeping you warm in winter. Composite doors are therefore excellent for external use and can be used for the both the front and back of the house.

Why Would I Want Composite Doors?

They’re great for the winter and they’re especially good during damp periods. They’re low maintenance too, so you don’t have to spend too much time caring for them.

And here are some other reasons why composite doors are such a popular choice:

• They’re strong but light and offer great security and insulation

• They don’t swell during damp weather so they’re not prone to swelling or creaking

• They’re more hardwearing than timber

• You don’t need to paint them because they retain their colour, and you can just wash them as you would with your windows

• Any glass in the door is made from reinforced plastic veneer and is almost impregnable

• They provide great insulation.

Range of Finishes, Styles and Colours – Composite Doors

Here at The Replacement Door Company we offer a great range of styles, finishes and colours for your composite doors. They’re also extremely affordable, so you can provide both the front and back of your house with this type of door. We also have great style variations, so whatever the design of your house, we’re bound to have something that suits. Our finishes are excellent too and you can go with what you like, perhaps a wood grain effect or perhaps something more bold in a bright, block colour. And with a composite door, maintaining it will be almost non-existent, because any wood finishes won’t need treatment like traditional wood, so they’re not prone to splitting.

Ready to order your composite doors?

Here at The Replacement Door Company, we supply made to measure composite doors to your requirements. We consider good communication and customer service a priority, so we’ll be happy to discuss your requirements with you, we’ll take measurements and discuss style, colour and finish, and make sure that whatever you choose is in line with your budget.

Composite Doors With The Replacement Door Company

Get in touch with us, or you may want to come and visit us in person, where you’ll be able to see our composite doors in person and decide for yourself whether it’s the door for you. We think you’ll be impressed, as composite doors are so convenient, low maintenance and well insulated, as well as being aesthetically pleasing.