How much does a front door cost? If you’re looking to replace your front door, a quick online search will reveal various budget-friendly products. But what does the price include and how much difference does the material make to the costs, quality and performance?
Your front door, like replacement windows, is one of the first things that any visitors will see when they come to your home. Consider what kind of impression you want to make. Budget doors can look just that, whereas a bespoke, high-end door will make an impressive feature and boost your property’s kerb appeal.
‘Style has an impact on cost,’ says Victoria Brocklesby, COO at Origin. ‘Generally, higher quality products have a more stylish finish. They hey are made to a higher standard, using good quality materials, with a keen eye for detail. When it comes to value, I would recommend considering the long-term return on investment, not just the initial outlay.’
There’s also security and thermal efficiency to factor in. Could a budget door compromise these important elements? ‘Price differs depending on level of security and insulation,’ says Elizabeth Assaf, Designer and Co-Founder at Urban Front. ‘High security doors that are also Secured by Design accredited cost more. The thickness of the door and how well it will perform over time are what’s important.’
Here, we’re looking at the different front door materials and how much you should budget for the various options. With each option, we give you an indicative price bracket to reflect a sliding scale in terms of quality and performance.
Image credit: Future plc/Nigel Rigden
Before you buy, take time to consider what is included in the price.
Many front door suppliers include installation in the cost, but it’s always worth double checking. If a product is supply only, that means it doesn’t come with installation – and you may need to source the door frame separately.
If you’re buying a door from a DIY store, they may not offer installation, in which case you’ll need to get a quote from a local trade to see how much they’ll charge. Alternatively, you could fit it yourself – but make sure you know what you’re doing, because a poorly-fitted door is a weak point in your home’s security, so you want to get it right.
‘Installation could be anything from a day rate of £150 to £1,500, depending on the configuration and complexity – for instance, is it just a door, are there sidelites (the window that sits alongside the door) to be fitted and is there any making good needed?’ says Elizabeth Assaf. ‘Our doors need four people to handle them, so they’re more expensive to fit compared to some products due to the handling.’
What door furniture comes with the product? Handles, letter boxes, knockers etc tend to be included in costs, but double check and see if you can change or upgrade to different options.
Are you reusing what’s already there, or buying new? And what about long-term maintenance costs versus the upfront price for your door?
Image credit: Future plc/Emma Lewis
Budget: £1,000-£6,000 (but can rise to £10,000+ for bespoke designs)
Wood is a popular option for front doors thanks to its natural and highly durable character. There is a timber door to suit most styles and budgets. Prices vary dramatically. The species of timber will impact on costs. Most come factory-treated to protect them from the elements, but you may also need to budget for staining or painting on site.
You can seek out more affordable hardwood designs, but if you want something bespoke, you’re looking at a much bigger investment. For instance, hardwood door specialist Urban Front offers bespoke designs in a variety of oversized formats, pivot styles and contemporary finishes. ‘Hardwood is one of the most expensive products currently as it’s a natural product,’ says the company’s Co-Founder, Elizabeth Assaf. ‘Our doors start from about £6,000 including VAT for an Oak doorset, but our average sale is £10,000 to £15,000 for a bespoke solution.’
Timber doors require oiling, lacquering or painting, and the treatment will need to be redone every six to eight years. ‘If you’re doing the basic maintenance yourself, the cost of the product needed could be anything from £30-£100. Otherwise, you’ll be looking to pay a decorator a day rate for the work,’ says Elizabeth Assaf.
Budget: £1,000-£3,000
Aluminium is a popular metal for front doors, as it offers strength, durability and low-maintenance at a value for money price point. These doors have an insulating core, giving them good energy efficiency and U-values (a measure of heat loss). They tend to have a more modern appearance, but can look stunning on a variety of homes, including conversions.
Aluminium is a premium product, so will be more expensive than PVCu and composite designs. ‘Generally, aluminium and timber doors come at a comparable price, depending on quality,’ says Victoria Brocklesby. ‘The Origin aluminium Front Door starts from £1,800 plus VAT.’
Aluminium doors have a powder coated finish, which requires very little maintenance to maintain a quality looking front door, so there are no future costs. You should have a beautiful entrance for many years. At the end of its life, as it is metal, the product can be recycled.
Image credit: Future plc/David Giles
Budget: £400-£2,500
Composite front doors have a thick core comprising a reinforced frame and thermally efficient fill, creating a strong and energy efficient product. They are finished in a variety of materials – popular options include GRP (glass reinforced plastic) and timber, so they can offer different looks in terms of style. They’re generally low-maintenance, but check in with the supplier regarding upkeep for your specific finish.
Composite is a mid-price option – not as cheap as PVCu and not as costly as hardwood or aluminium. ‘Composite door costs start from £372 for the door only, not including the frame and any ironmongery. These can be added separately to be fitted on site by the joiner or carpenter,’ says Emma Archibald, Assistant Manager at DirectDoors.com. ‘We do offer composite doorsets, complete with the door, frame and door fittings, from £894. Any glazing is pre-installed.’
Image credit: Future plc/Simon Whitmore
Budget: £350-£900
New PVCu products are readily available and affordable. You can get plastic doors in various styles, colours and wood effects. Some people consider PVCu to look a bit dated and cheap, but it’s a great option if you’re working to a limited budget – and good-quality modern products are rightly popular among home renovators. These doors are easy to source online and in DIY stores. You’re unlikely to find many PVCu products from the more design-led, high-end door specialists.
PVCu is a low-maintenance material and easy to clean, but these doors tend to have a limited lifespan (typically up to 35 years). ‘Although uPVC doors tend to be cheaper to buy, they don’t offer a robust and long-lasting option. So, they will need replacing more frequently than other systems and will end up in landfill when they come to the end of their life,’ says Victoria Brocklesby.
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After being cooped up inside for the last few months, the arrival of spring means alfresco living is back on cards. And we are here for it! No matter what size your outdoor space, whether a tiny terrace, bijou balcony or little lawn, our budget small garden ideas will transform your space without having to break the bank.
With the cost of living on the up (and up and up and up!) we all want to save as many pennies as we can, so budget garden ideas are a great place to start. But if your ‘garden’ is more postage stamp than football pitch in size, you might be wondering what can be done to gives your a refresh.
But fear not, as we’ve pulled together our top nine budget small garden ideas to get you set for summer.
Image credit: Future Plc/Dominic Blackmore
Your outdoor space might be lacking a large footprint but you can always make the most of a vertical space instead. Living vertical walls are big business for both residential and commercial properties across the country and look super-smart too. To create yours, use an old wooden pallet and make a simple, rectangular box planter. Fill with soil and then plant up a mixture of trailing plants, grasses and hardy succulents. Attach to a wall or fence, or lean on a ledge in a vertical position.
Image credit: B&Q
Traditionally balcony gardeners would plant up pots and troughs to make their space look appealing from the outside. But instead of hanging planters to face away from you, turn them towards you and plant up with trailing plants that will cascade down your balcony rails. This way you will save on plants that other people will enjoy more than you will!
Potted plants look fab arranged in small huddles of three, five or seven and playing with the heights and sizes or them will create a jungle-vibe too.
Buy now: Apolima table and chairs Bistro set, £240, B&Q
Image credit: Dobbies
Save money and space by investing in furniture that will work harder for you. A dining set that also incorporates space to plant up herbs and grasses, or hold drinks for guests in an ice-filled trough is a great solution. This set from Dobbies will slid into even the smallest of spaces, and could even work as an alfresco WFH spot.
If your outdoor space doesn’t get great light or you’re just not green-fingered, fill a planter with a collection of faux plants instead, to cheat the look.
Buy now: Freya balcony set, £229, Dobbies
Image credit: Dobbies
No matter how wee your space, don’t let it stop you from growing an array of fruit and veg. Mini greenhouses are great for keeping plants warm, but can also double up as mini sheds too. If you’re going to be storing all your gardening paraphernalia inside too, think about adding some frosted or fluted film to the glass to blurb out any clutter you’re storing.
While you can find mini greenhouse options to buy at DIY stores and garden centres, you could also have a go at making you own, using old windows sourced from a scrap yard.
Buy now: Wooden growhouse, £169.99, Dobbies
Image credit: Future Plc/Tim Young
Having a bar area outside will create your own little entertaining zone, and this clever bar is made from just a couple of pallets. Cut the top section from the pallet to use as the flip down section and attach using two strong hinges and lengths of chain. Finish with a piece of wood to act as your serving board. Attach to the wall and enjoy sundowners with friends whenever the mood takes you.
Image credit: Future Plc/Tim Young
A well-placed garden mirror can do wonders to enhance any outdoor space, and will make your garden look bigger than it really is by tricking the eye into thinking it goes on and on. Create your own by using an old gate or some painted trellis mounted onto a piece of mirrored board and hang on the wall, or prop up by a shed.
Image credit: Future Plc/Joanna Henderson
If you’re lacking on flower beds a great way to introduce more colour and greenery is with window boxes. Traditionally they would with hang below a window, or sit along a sill, but throw tradition out the door and go for two hung on top of each other for maximum impact.
Try filling the top box with pretty, colourful flowers while the bottom one would be reserved for larger, lusher plants, and even a few trailing plants too.
Make the boxes from leftover wood planks or pallet boards to keep costs to a minimum.
Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole
Make the most of the space along fencing and build some simple ladder shelving. Use pieces of leftover wood from a previous project, or an old pallet board cut up into lengths. Attach to your fencing and paint in the same colour so it seamlessly blends into the background.
Terracotta pots are inexpensive and can be picked up for very little at charity shops, car boot sales and from second-hand websites too.
Image credit: Future Plc/Colin Poole
Just about any vessel can be used to plant up flowers, herbs and succulents, so think outside the box. Old tin cans, glass jars, jugs, tea cups and even pots and pans can all be used, they just need a couple of drainage holes punched in the bottom. With glass jars, line the bottom with gravel or small stones and fill the sides with moss to hide them.
Arrange your planted vessels in trios around your outside space and watch them grow into an oasis.
There are plenty of ways to make a small garden look great on a budget, it’s just about thinking smartly! First and foremost, utilise what you already have, to avoid having to part with your cash. Walls and fences can benefit from a lick of paint, furniture given a good clean and a varnish and dead leaves can be cleared to reveal a tidier space. Pulling up weeds and removing moss from pathways will both help to make any garden space look nicer.
Bark and wood chippings are cheap and will fill a space much more cost effectively than expensive plants will. Gravel is also a cheaper way to line the edge of a lawn and old bricks can be used to create a winding pathway.
Outdoor rugs are great for hiding tired patios and decking areas while cushions dragged from the house can be piled up high for a relaxing sun-bathing spot.
Have a little think about elements you want to include in your garden, being realistic about size restrictions. For smaller gardens, scrapping the lawn might actually give more space. Paved patios or decking areas can be utilised more efficiently and provide a space to relax, entertain and play.
Containers and planters filled with flowers and plants will give create an instant transformation, but they can be pricey. Try asking friends and family for clippings or surplus seeds and build your dream space slowly. Garden lighting is another way to make a small garden space feel nice, so be sure to include plenty of this so you can use your space after dark too.
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Drum roll please, as we can reveal the winners of the Ideal Home Kitchen Awards 2022. With categories covering everything you could possibly need for your kitchen makeover – large or small – the entries included a wealth of brilliant kitchen ideas from some of our favourite kitchen brands. stay tuned to find out the brands that should firmly be on your radar for 2021.
This year’s awards was judged by a panel of Ideal Home’s expert editors – Heather Young, Ideal Home Editor, Thea Babington-Stitt, Content Editor and Millie Fender, Ecommerce Editor. Ideal Home’s resident renovation expert and architectural designer Charlie Luxton also stepped up as guest judge for the One Small Step Award for Sustainable, given his expert knowledge and interest in sustainability in homes.
Our panel of expert judges picked the deserving winners from a host of amazing entries in 12 categories, from worktop ideas to small appliances, kitchen storage ideas to best taps. The wealth of entries really showcases the best of the best when it comes to all things kitchen. Read on to find out what’s hot in kitchens for 2022.
Image credit: Magnet
The top award went to the Nordic Nature kitchen from Magnet. The design feels fresh and modern, with an appealing warmth. Nordic Nature’s sustainably sourced oak-veneer frontals in smooth and fluted designs are inspired by Nordic mid-century modern walnut furniture. They add an architectural edge to this kitchen, and the natural wood tones ground the space.
‘We loved the rich wooden texture, and Nordic Nature’s fluted finish feels brilliantly modern with the linear design and pared-back look,’ says Heather Young.
Highly commended: Chilcomb in Navy and Pebble, Howdens
Image credit: Howdens
Channel your inner Bridgerton character, and embrace a more stately kitchen scheme, with the Elmbridge kitchen in Dove Grey from Howdens. The classic Shaker design has been given a glow up with decorative beading and intricate design elements.
‘The brushed handles are a lovely shape, and the wood finish inside the glazed units is a truly chic feature that caught the judge’s attention,’ says Heather.
Highly commended: Infinity Plus Georgian Ermine, Wren Kitchens. Shaker, Olive & Barr
Image credit: Second Nature
The Porter Portal kitchen with its integrated handles from Second Nature is one good-looking design! It’s pared-back and smart, and offers the look of a bespoke kitchen at an affordable price.
‘This is a great colour for a kitchen and the contrasting recessed handles add a contemporary touch that makes this kitchen stand out,’ says Thea Babington-Stitt, Ideal Home Content Editor.
Highly commended: Roux Kitchens Collection
Image credit: Zwilling
Millie Fender, our Ecommerce Editor and one of the judging panel has tried out the Fresh & Save vacuum sealing system from Zwilling and was impressed! And guest judge Charlie Luxton agreed that when it comes to sustainability in the kitchen this is a great product.
‘This collection or vacuum boxes and bags keeps food fresh and meaningfully tackle waste, which is a huge issue in all our kitchens,’ says architectural designer Charlie Luxton.
Highly commended: Cosentino
Image credit: Pluck Kitchens
A new category for 2022 to celebrate ways to bring colour into the kitchen, the judges loved this kitchen project by Pluck Kitchens. Using two of their brilliant finishes – Ritzy and Brockwell Moss – this kitchen feels fun and modern, and gave all the judges some great feelgood vibes.
‘Pluck really are the champions of colourful kitchens,’ says Thea Babington-Stitt. ‘Good on them for leading the way when it comes to kitchen colour!’
Highly commended: Optiplan Kitchens
Image credit: Bora
The S Pure cooktop with integrated extractor from Bora cleverly combines a kitchen hob and extractor in one unit. The integrated extractor means there’s no need for one above the hob, which really opens up your options when looking at how to plan a kitchen layout.
‘This is just what the Ideal Home reader would want for their dream kitchen,’ says Millie Fender, Ecommerce Editor. ‘Measuring just 60cm wide (perfect for standard units), this smart, ultra-compact cooktop would fit into the smallest of kitchens.’
Image credit: Zwilling
The C2 Enfinigy Power Blender from Zwilling not only looks the part (it can live on our kitchen worktops anyday!), but it was a big hit with our judge Millie Fender – the queen of small appliances – when she tried it out at home!
‘An awesome blender with a light-up control panel that makes it easy to scroll to pre-set and manual settings,’ says Millie.
Highly commended: Cook In, Cuisinart. Carbonator 3, Aarke
Image credit: Grohe
We’re all about getting our recommended 6-8 glasses of water a day. And the Blue Home filtered water kitchen tap from Grohe will make it easier to achieve, as well as cutting down on single-use plastic water bottles.
‘Still, medium or sparkling from the same tap = genius!’ says Mille. ‘You can also activate it from your phone which is brilliant for busy, hardworking kitchens.’
Highly commended: Instant Hot Water Tap, Wodar
Image credit: Tile Giant
What’s not to love about Tile Giant‘s Alexa Hex kitchen wall tiles? The Ideal Home judges were smitten with the pink and loved how these tiles will create such a look-at-me focal point for a modern kitchen idea.
‘These tiles tick the box when it comes to on-trend colour and bringing fab pattern to kitchen walls,’ says Heather Young.
Highly commended: Alloy Splashbacks, Bushboard
Image credit: Cosentino
We love a worktop that’s up to the challenge of daily life, and Dekton by Cosentino does just that. No more fears about red wine stains, or hot pan scorch marks – Dekton is designed to withstand all these kitchen challenges.
‘Good looks and practicality in one hit!’ says Thea Babington-Stitt. ‘The new Dekton surface features high resistance to scratches, stains, heat and UV rays, making it a perfect worktop for hardworking and busy family kitchens.’
Image credit: Smeg
Anything that makes life easier is a hit with us, and that’s why the Galileo technology from Smeg was the judge’s favourite. The range’s flagship Omnichef model has managed to reduce cooking times by up to 70%. You can roast a chicken in just 30 minutes, or bake a potato in 20.
‘This revolutionary new cooking technology uses steam, microwave and traditional cooking all together for the ultimate cooking performance,’ says Heather Young, Ideal Home Editor.
Highly commended: K7000 Refrigeration Collection, Miele
Image credit: Dowsing & Reynolds
Choosing the perfect kitchen lighting ideas can make or break your kitchen scheme. The Michael O’Hare porcelain light from Dowsing & Reynolds is perfect for any style of kitchen.
‘This porcelain pendant, handcrafted as part of a creative collaboration between Dowsing & Reynolds and Michelin-starred chef Michael O’Hare is guaranteed to add a design edge to any kitchen,’ says Heather Young. ‘Hung in a row of three above a statement island, these lights would add the wow factor.’
What will you be incorporating into your kitchen renovation plans this year?
The post Ideal Home Kitchen Award Winners 2022 – what we’re loving for kitchens this year appeared first on Ideal Home.
