How to Choose the Right Types of Doors and Windows for Your Home
- 1 October 2024
- News
When it comes to home improvement, selecting the right types of doors and windows is crucial for both aesthetics and functionality. These decisions not only define the look of your home but also play a significant role in energy efficiency, security, and overall comfort.
That’s why at Crown, we’re writing this blog post, to explore the various types of doors and windows available, helping you make the best possible decision for your living space.
We’ll walk you through the different options, materials, and styles, ensuring you find the best fit for your needs and preferences.
Choosing the Right Type of Door
uPVC Doors
uPVC doors are a popular choice of entrance door for many homeowners due to their versatility and durability, and affordability. These doors open inwards or outwards and offer excellent insulation properties. Another aspect that makes them effective is the fact that they require little maintenance and are highly resistant to weathering, making them a great choice for exterior doors. It’s also worth noting that their affordability is due to their ability to be mass-produced, rather than any compromises on quality.
Composite Doors
Composite entrance doors combine the best of various materials, offering elite strength and security. They typically feature a solid or foam core surrounded by a GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) outer skin. These doors cam open inwards or outwards and provide outstanding thermal efficiency, making them an excellent option for front doors. They’re also incredibly customisable, enabling you to create the ideal first impression with guests, whether you’re interested in a woodgrain effect, a minimalist look, or something more standout such as Mandarin Orange or Chartwell Green.
Bi-fold Doors
Bi-fold doors are a stunning addition to any home, offering a seamless transition between indoor and outdoor spaces. These doors fold open, creating a wide space that allows for maximum natural light and ventilation. They’re perfect for connecting your living room or kitchen to your garden or patio, and convenient for hosting social events such as barbecues.
French Doors
French doors are a classic choice that never goes out of style. These hinged doors typically come in pairs and open outwards, creating an elegant look and allowing plenty of natural light into your home. They enable you to enjoy your outdoor views from the comforts of the sofa, and are installed with uPVC materials from Crown.
Patio Doors
Patio doors, also known as sliding doors, are an excellent choice for homes with limited space. They slide open horizontally, providing easy access to outdoor areas without taking up valuable interior space, needing less room than the comparable bi-fold doors. Patio doors offer great views and flood your living space with natural light, something that’s proven to come great benefits to both your mental and physical wellbeing.
Internal Aluminium Doors
Our internal aluminium doors play a crucial role in defining your home’s interior design. We offer a variety of styles, including panelled options like traditional six-panel or contemporary shaker-style designs. Despite being incredibly strong and durable, aluminium internal doors are lightweight, making these stylish room dividers convenient and easy to operate.
Choosing the Right Type of Window
Casement Windows
Casement windows are hinged on one side and open outwards. The UK’s most popular window style, they offer proper ventilation and are simple to operate. Casement windows are a versatile choice that suits both traditional and contemporary homes, available in several different finishes thanks to their uPVC and aluminium build.
Flush Sash Windows
Flush sash windows are designed to sit flush (level) within the frame, creating a sleek and modern appearance. These windows can be opened outwards and are an excellent choice for homeowners looking to maintain a property’s original character while enjoying modern performance benefits.
Sliding Sash Windows
Sliding sash windows are a classic choice, particularly for period properties. These windows consist of two sashes that slide vertically past each other, offering controlled ventilation and a timeless elegance. They’re perfect for those seeking to preserve a home’s historical charm.
Tilt and Turn Windows
Tilt and turn windows offer versatility in terms of opening options. They can be tilted inwards from the top for ventilation or opened fully inwards like a door for easy cleaning. This makes them an excellent choice for upper floors or hard-to-reach areas, meaning they’re more commonly found in high rise flats, hotels, and bathrooms where space may be limited.
Georgian Windows
Georgian windows feature a distinctive grid pattern that divides the glass into smaller panes. This classic style adds character to both traditional and modern homes. Our Georgian windows are available with several different forms of decorative glass, including the stunning Mayflow and Sycamore effects which you can check out here. These decorative selections are also effective if privacy is a priority, whereas if you prefer to allow plenty of natural light into your living space, more transparent options are a good idea.
Lead Windows
Lead windows add a touch of traditional charm to any home. They consist of smaller panes of glass stuck on one larger frame as standard, creating a grid-like pattern across the window – giving you real creativity over how you’d like your new windows to look.
Aesthetic Options
Colours
At Crown, we understand that colour plays a crucial role in defining your home’s character. That’s why we offer an extensive range of colour options for both our doors and windows. From classic whites and creams to bold statements like Anthracite Grey or Chartwell Green, we have a shade to complement every home style. Our high-quality finishes ensure that your chosen colour remains vibrant for years to come, with little maintenance required – which is why we choose uPVC and aluminium as opposed to wooden doors and windows.
Hardware
The right hardware can elevate the look of your doors and windows while providing essential functionality. We offer a wide selection of handles, hinges, and locking mechanisms in various finishes. Our hardware options not only look great but also provide top-notch security, giving you peace of mind.
Accessories
To further customise your doors and windows, we provide a range of accessories. For windows, consider adding decorative glazing bars or lead designs to create a unique look. For doors, options like letterboxes, knockers, and spyholes can add both style and practicality. We also offer a variety of glass options, from clear to obscured, allowing you to balance privacy with natural light. To bring your dream installation to life, why not try our Composite Door Designer tool here.
In recent years, we’ve seen a growing trend towards aluminium frames for both doors and windows. Aluminium offers high durability, slim sightlines, expansive glass panels, and excellent thermal performance. It’s quickly becoming the material of choice for homeowners seeking a modern, sleek look with outstanding functionality.
When it comes to choosing between uPVC and aluminium, consider factors such as your budget, desired aesthetic, and energy efficiency requirements. Both materials offer great benefits, and our expert team can help you make the best choice for your specific needs.
About Us
At Crown, we’ve been at the forefront of the window and door industry for over 20 years. Our commitment to quality, innovation, and customer satisfaction has made us a trusted name in home improvement. Based in Milton Keynes, we serve homeowners across the region with pride and dedication.
Our state-of-the-art showroom allows you to experience our products firsthand, while our expert team provides personalised advice to help you make the best choices for your home. We offer free 3D design plans, bringing your vision to life before you commit.
All our installations are carried out by highly experienced fitters who are FENSA registered, ensuring the highest standards of workmanship. We stand behind our products with a comprehensive 10-year warranty and an insurance-backed guarantee, giving you complete peace of mind.
To get in touch, feel free to give our friendly team a call on 01908 507 778, email info@crownwindows.co.uk, or fill out our handy online form.
