With a fall in temperature, the colder winter months are approaching. Are you and your home ready for winter? The temperatures dropping in winter accompanied by a rise in humidity can quickly affect the entrance to your home, so now is a good time to check how your entrance and its surroundings are prepared for the cold season.
HOW TO CHECK IF YOUR FRONT DOOR IS READY FOR WINTER
Do you proactively maintain your front door on a regular basis, or are you more likely to carry out any repairs when they become noticeable? We would recommend that you prepare your home for winter by ensuring that your entrance door is safe and in full working order.
How to carry out checks:
- Carry out a detailed inspection of the front door leaf itself
- Oil any hooks and locks
- Test for any draughts or water ingress
- Consider if there is adequate lighting around the entrance and hallway
- Review accessories around the entrance to your home, such as a mat, umbrella holder or coat hangers
- Check for security – would your home deter an opportunist burglar?
IS YOUR FRONT DOOR WELL INSULATED – TO HELP WITH ENERGY BILLS?
Poor thermal insulation of windows and front doors is one of the main causes of energy loss in a home and, as a result, higher heating costs. More heat can be lost through poorly insulated windows and doors than through an uninsulated façade. High-quality and, above all, well-installed front doors that provide good insulation are therefore an excellent investment that pays off in winter.
HOW TO CHECK THE INSULATION OF YOUR FRONT DOOR
When considering the insulation of an entrance door, we need to take into account the insulation of the door leaf itself, the side seals and cills which prevent warm air escaping from a property and also prevent the penetration of cold air into the interior of your home. The thickness of the door itself and the material your front door is made from can affect the quality of the door seal. If you feel that your door is letting in the cold air, is it time to consider upgrading is and replacing your front door?
You can check the effectiveness of the gasket seal on the side and bottom of the front door. If the door is worn and bent, and no longer fits perfectly into the frame, air will escape through the gaps in both directions.
If you can feel a draught coming in through your front door, it can help to use a torch to carry out a full investigation. Point the beam of light at the edges of the door and observe if light enters through one of the openings. Alternatively, you can do the same with a sheet of paper and see if you can slide it between the door and the frame, if you can, this could be where the draught is coming from. One of the classic methods of leak testing is a test with a lighter, as you bring the lighter closer to the sides of the door, observe how the frame flickers. This way, you can find out where the pull of the flame occurs which can help identify where additional seals are needed. For example in the form of:
- rubber textile seals
- foam seals
- Textile stopper or
- Cill seals with brush.
It is definitely worth checking whether the door sits correctly within its’ frame, and whether it closes and locks easily.
IS IT TIME TO BUY A NEW FRONT DOOR FOR YOUR HOME?
If your front door looks tired and old, it could be time to consider replacing it with a new front door which will be energy efficient, with excellent U-Values to keep your home warm and your energy bills lower.
A high-quality front door like the Spitfire Doors S-500 Series, will keep out the noise and cold and reduce your heating costs. A new front door will be more secure with high quality multi-point locks to keep out would-be intruders, whilst visually brightening up both the exterior and interior of your home and adding kerb appeal to your home. If you want to save on heating costs, installing a new front door is a good place to start.
DESIGN YOUR DREAM FRONT DOOR HERE
ALUMINIUM FRONT DOORS WILL LOOK GOOD AND PERFORM WELL FOR A NUMBER OF YEARS
The Spitfire Inotherm aluminum front door is well-known for its insulating properties, which is especially beneficial in the cold winter months. Aluminium doors do not twist and warp on hot sunny days, even at high temperatures, ensuring that the heat in your four walls will not escape thanks to special door fillers, triple glazing and vulcanized corners which create a water and airtight seal.
Our doors are powder coated in our own paint shop, offering additional protection against UV radiation. There is a huge range of RAL colours to choose from. You can design your bespoke front door using our online door configurator here.
A SECURE FRONT DOOR WILL PROTECT YOU EVEN ON DARKER WINTER EVENINGS
When the nights draw in and with fewer hours of daylight during autumn and winter, many people give more consideration to the security of their homes. To deter an opportunist burglar, having a secure aluminium front door is a great place to start. The Spitfire Inotherm S-500 front door meets both PAS 24 and RS3 levels of security to keep your property safe and secure.
IS THE EXTERIOR OF YOUR HOME SUFFICIENTLY ILLUMINATED?
If the outside of your home is well lit at night, potential burglars will have a harder time sneaking up to the door and trying to gain access. Whether the lighting is positioned to the side of the door or above the front door, the right lighting is likely to put off an intruder, helping to keep you safe in your home. Installing lights with a motion sensor will ensure the outside of your home is illuminated every time the light detects any movement.
IS YOUR DOOR LOCK STRONG AND SECURE?
When carrying out an inspection of your front door, check to see if any of the hinges or locks are rusty and ensure that the lock opens and closes smoothly. By ensuring that your door locks easily, you could prevent your front door being left unlocked unintentionally, making it easy for an opportune thief to gain access. The Spitfire Inotherm S-500 Series Doors lock automatically, as soon as they are closed.
If your lock is worn or is of poor quality, it could be time to upgrade your lock or door to ensure your home is secure. Most modern front doors will have a new multipoint locking system, which means that the door will be locked in several places along the side of the door. The Spitfire Inotherm door has a 5-point security lock as standard and meets PAS 24 security.
SAFETY AND CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY GO HAND IN HAND – AN INTRODUCTION TO INOSMART
Do you want to combine the security of your entrance with modern technology? Can you imagine the convenience of not having to look for keys every time you arrive home? Especially in winter, when we want to escape the cold and rain quickly, such a solution is worth its’ weight in gold. In addition, it offers absolute security, as the door locks automatically every time it is closed.
Doors with the INOSMART system offer three types of opening:
- Fingerprint access
- NFC technology
- by entering a numerical code
The system is equipped with an advanced high-speed fingerprint reader that recognizes the fingerprint regardless of the position of the finger, but also detects changes and adapts to a specific fingerprint. The administration takes place via an app on a smartphone, which also logs attempts of any unauthorized access. Contact Spitfire Doors to find out more.
THE BEST PROTECTION FOR YOUR LOVED ONES AND YOUR PROPERTY – A BURGLAR-PROOF FRONT DOOR
Statistics show that most burglars still enter buildings through the front door.
For maximum security, care must be taken to ensure that it is protected as well as possible against burglary attempts. If you want to protect your home in winter and install a new entrance as part of the renovation, secure burglar-proof doors are something to be considered.
REGULAR MAINTENANCE OF FRONT DOORS – IS YOUR FRONT DOOR READY FOR WINTER?
Regular maintenance of your front door is essential. It only takes a few minutes to ensure that your door threshold remains free of grit and dirt. A simple wipe of the exterior of your door and some oiling of hinges and moving parts is recommended from time to time. Aluminium front doors are extremely resistant to winter conditions, but simple maintenance ensures a longer service life. Before winter, be sure to check the moving parts such as fittings and locks. Clean them first and then oil them as this will ensure easy closing and opening. Lubricating the lock should not be just a seasonal task; pay attention to regular lubrication, as this prolongs the service life.
DON’T FORGET ABOUT VENTILATION IN YOUR HOME
If you have chosen a well-sealed front door and windows for your home, it is important to ensure there is sufficient ventilation in the areas around the door and window. By opening your doors and windows for a few minutes every few days, this should ensure there is enough fresh air to keep the area free from mould or damp.
If you would like the opportunity to design your own front door, why not visit our door designer where you can choose from over 400 designs in a huge choice of colours and finishes. We also have a wide range of door handles to choose from.
If you would like to discuss a new front door for your home, please contact our Customer Services Team who will be happy to put you in touch with a design partner in your area. Call 01625 412570 or contact us here We look forward to hearing from you.