Having a seamless indoor-outdoor flow is one of the most popular selling aspects of any kiwi home. New Zealanders love to have a functional and stylish outdoor area to entertain friends and relax in their own backyard. The trick to creating a cohesive environment is to blur the boundary between indoors and out by choosing doors best suited to each area of your home.
As the entry and exit point into your home - doors can make a lasting impression! However doors aren’t only a design feature or humble accessway, they have many functional purposes such as security, controlling the flow of people, and assisting with energy efficiency. External doors also need to be strong and durable as it’s important that they can withstand New Zealand’s often harsh weather conditions, including exposure to high levels of UV, heavy rain and strong winds.
If you’re in the market for new doors, there are some important things to consider. This blog will outline the different door types and materials, as well as glazing, thermal efficiency and locking options.
The most common materials for external doors are aluminium, uPVC, steel and timber. Although each has advantages and disadvantages when weighing up affordability, functionality, durability and style, aluminium joinery stands out from the rest!
Aluminium is a strong, naturally occurring metal and being a recyclable and reusable material, it is a sustainable choice. The chemical composition of aluminium makes it extremely durable. Aluminium is stronger than uPVC, meaning frames are thinner and are able to support larger panes of glass. So your view isn't restricted by the opening size or bulky uPVC frames. It is also lighter than steel, which means aluminium doors are easier to slide and manoeuvre.
Over time timber and uPVC are more likely to deteriorate when exposed to the weather. Wooden joinery needs regular maintenance as it is vulnerable to moisture damage, which can result in warped frames, rotting or stiff openings. Aluminium joinery, however, is low-maintenance thanks to it naturally being both corrosion and UV resistant, and only requires cleaning with soapy water every three to six months.
When it comes to aesthetics, timber is sometimes preferred because of its natural and distinctive finish. However, aluminium is now available in an authentic woodgrain look powdercoat finish, which means you can achieve the same look without the regular maintenance.
There are five main types of aluminium doors to choose from:
All these door types are available in many different configurations, depending on the layout of your home and personal preferences. An opening or fixed window to the side of your door or as an overlight offer further opportunities to bring light inside or provide for additional ventilation.
With a growing emphasis on energy efficiency and healthier homes in New Zealand, using thermally improved materials is an important consideration. Thermal doors are made from a different aluminium profile to standard doors, with a nylon insulator built into the profile to reduce the heat transfer through the frame and improve thermal performance.
Regular aluminium doors typically aren't good insulators as the frame allows heat to transfer from inside to out, therefore the thermal option keeps the indoor temperature more consistent regardless of the season which in turn reduces the power bill - a win-win!
Glazing is an important part of all doors, so it's important to consider the glazing options. Some glass combinations can reduce heat loss from your home in the cooler months and may assist to regulate the inside temperature when the weather is warmer, as well as acting as a sound dampener The R-value is a rating which measures how well a material can resist heat flow. ‘R’ stands for thermal resistance - the higher the value, the better!
When assessing a project, we analyse factors such as location, size of the opening, requirements and building purpose, therefore you can be assured that any glass we supply complies with current NZS 4223 glass safety standards. We also discuss factors such as sound reduction, fading, UV and security, so the final solution is compliant and enhances the comfort of your home.
There is a wide range of powdercoat colours available to choose from, to complement your internal and external colour schemes. You can view our colour palettes here, which includes the popular neutral options, our specialty entrance door range of brights and the natural woodgrain powdercoat.
From the humble lever through to the sleek pull handle, the style of hardware used on your doors needs to be fit for purpose. Select from a range of modern hardware, with handles that will make a statement at the entrance of your home and standard hardware for sliding, hinged and bifold doors, all offering functionality and reliability.
Digital locks at the main entry of homes are also gaining popularity. They offer a quick, easy and secure access solution for busy households. There are three favoured types of Yale digital locks to consider: Yale Assure Bluetooth Lock, Yale 3109+ Digital Door Lock and Yale 4109+ Digital Door Lock. These are keyless and have Bluetooth capabilities, combining high security with innovative technology. Each will allow you to unlock the door with your smartphone or a PIN code and you can create, manage, track and deactivate digital keys from the app.
Aluminium is a great choice for your doors as it provides style, durability, affordability and functionality! Making your outdoor area a natural extension of the indoors by choosing the right type of door will also add value to your space and improve onsell potential.
Whether you prefer the more traditional french door set or a sleek stacking door, there’s an aluminium door style to suit each area of your home. If you or your builder would like to discuss these further, please reach out by clicking on the button below.
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