External Doors: What Choices and Options Are Available

When it comes to external doors, it’s not just about having something that looks good — although let’s face it, kerb appeal does count.

The right external door can elevate your home’s style, boost security, improve thermal efficiency, and even save you money on your energy bills.

From composite to uPVC, aluminium to stable doors, GFD Homes has something for every type of homeowner and every style of home.

If you’re feeling a little unsure about what type of door is best for your needs, you’re not alone. With so many choices, features, and finishes, it’s easy to get overwhelmed.

That’s exactly why we’ve put together this complete guide — to walk you through the options, explain the benefits, and help you feel confident about your decision.

We’ll cover everything from materials and styles to configurations and sizing, with some expert tips and recommendations along the way. Whether you’re upgrading your front door or redesigning your whole entranceway, you’ll find everything you need to make the right choice for your home.

Let’s dive in.

Quick Guide: What This Article Covers

The types of external doors available at GFD Homes
Composite vs uPVC vs Aluminium: Full comparison table
Popular configurations: from French doors to flush thresholds
External stable doors and where they work best
Door Configurations: What Fits Where?
Choosing the right size
Clear next steps: Get pricing or speak to us
FAQs and who each door suits best

What Types of External Doors Can You Buy from GFD Homes?

Here’s a full breakdown of the external doors we offer – all available supply-only or fully installed:

Composite Doors

Composite doors are incredibly popular, combining the look of timber with modern materials that last.

Solidor Composite Doors

Premium performance with a solid timber core, these doors are ideal if you want unmatched security, insulation, and a classic appearance.

They come in a wide variety of colours and finishes and feature Ultion locks as standard.

Comp Door Composite Doors

Sleek, colour-rich, and built for longevity, these are a great pick for homeowners who want modern style with serious weather resistance and low maintenance.

Start designing your Comp Door now and use code 50OFF at checkout to save.

Door-Stop Composite Doors

Perfect for budget-conscious households that still want quality, these doors offer dependable performance, great thermal efficiency, and fast turnaround.

Smart Signature Aluminium Composite Doors

A contemporary hybrid that blends the strength and style of aluminium with the insulation and reliability of composite technology. Great for statement entrances.

uPVC External Doors

Deceuninck uPVC Glazed Doors

These doors are a brilliant option for anyone seeking simplicity, reliability, and thermal efficiency.

Glazed for letting in light while keeping the elements out, they’re perfect for back doors or utility access. Their clean lines and classic styling make them a subtle upgrade to tired old timber doors.

Deceuninck French Doors

Want to bring more natural light into your space or open your dining room to the garden?

These French doors in durable uPVC offer a wide opening and traditional aesthetics. They’re secure, weather-resistant, and available in a range of finishes to suit both classic and modern homes.

Aluminium External Doors

Ultra-modern, slim-framed and strong:

Smart Designer Doors

Standout aesthetics for contemporary homes, with bold designs and top-tier security. These doors are perfect if you want a front entrance that makes a statement and offers robust performance.

Smart Alitherm 400 Aluminium Doors

Offering an excellent balance of thermal performance and modern design, these doors are suited for homeowners looking to combine sleek styling with everyday practicality.

Smart Visofold Bi-Fold Doors

A stunning choice for opening up entire walls and connecting indoor and outdoor spaces. Smooth-glide operation, slim profiles, and highly secure. Great for kitchen extensions or garden-facing rooms.

Smart Heritage Bi-Folding Doors

Designed with period charm in mind, these doors bring traditional styling into a modern aluminium format. Ideal for renovations where character matters.

Korniche Bi-Fold Doors

Precision-engineered and stylish, Korniche bi-folds are known for their easy installation, high-quality build, and market-leading sightlines. A solid choice for modern homes with an eye for design.

Smart Visoglide Plus Sliding Doors

Perfect for those who want expansive views and minimal frames. These aluminium sliding doors are thermally broken, smooth to operate, and ideal for large openings without the need for swing space.

Cortizo Cor Vision Sliding Doors

Ultra-slim frames and stunning architectural style. These are a premium pick for high-end projects, combining minimalist looks with superb thermal and acoustic performance.

Composite vs uPVC vs Aluminium: At-a-Glance Comparison

Material	Best For	Price Range	Maintenance	Energy Efficiency	Style Options
Composite	All-rounders, family homes	£££	Low	Excellent	Huge range
uPVC	Budget-conscious, rentals	££	Very Low	Good	Limited
Aluminium	Modern homes, large openings	££££	Low	Very Good	Sleek/Minimal

Glazed & French Doors: Bringing the Outside In

uPVC French Doors

Our Deceuninck uPVC French Doors offer a timeless look with practical benefits.

These double-door systems are perfect for garden access and patios, letting in plenty of natural light while providing excellent thermal performance and security.

uPVC makes them low-maintenance and cost-effective without sacrificing style. Choose from classic white or woodgrain finishes for a tailored look.

Aluminium French Doors

For a more modern or minimalist style, our Smart Alitherm 400 Aluminium French Doors provide the slim sightlines and sleek appearance that contemporary homes demand.

They’re highly durable, thermally broken for insulation, and available in a wide range of colours including popular options like anthracite grey.

Great for both modern builds and heritage-style homes where a sharper finish is preferred.

Alitherm 400 Glazed Doors

These glazed doors are designed to flood your space with light without compromising on thermal efficiency.

Made from high-quality aluminium, they offer a clean, contemporary profile.

They’re ideal for side entrances, garden access or as an elegant alternative to standard back doors. Their design flexibility means they can complement a variety of architectural styles, all while improving visibility and energy performance.

External Doors : smart glazed double doors in a light brick house — All our products come with a 10 year product gurantee

Whether you’re creating a light-filled living area or connecting indoors to out, glazed and French doors from GFD Homes deliver functionality wrapped in style.

What Makes External Stable Doors So Popular?

External stable doors are back in a big way. Loved for their country-cottage charm and clever practicality, they’re especially great for homes with kids or pets. We offer these in composite material, which means:

No warping, even in wet weather
Loads of colour and finish options
Superior insulation vs timber doors

They work brilliantly for utility rooms, kitchen doors or back entries that get a lot of daily use.

Door Configurations: What Fits Where?

French Doors

French doors are a timeless favourite, ideal for creating a stylish connection between your interior and garden or patio.

With symmetrical double-door openings and the option to open one or both sides, they offer flexibility and elegance in equal measure.

French doors are particularly popular in traditional-style homes and are available in both uPVC and aluminium.

Bi-Fold Doors

Bi-fold doors are perfect for those looking to completely open up a wall to the outdoors.

These doors fold back in a concertina style, providing a seamless transition between inside and outside.

They are a top choice for open-plan living spaces, kitchen extensions, and garden rooms. Bi-folds are available in contemporary aluminium finishes and can be customised in various sizes.

Sliding Doors

Sliding doors are the go-to solution for wide openings without needing space to swing open.

With large panes of glass and minimal framing, they let in maximum light and provide unobstructed views.

Smooth, space-saving, and stylish, sliding doors work brilliantly in modern homes and are perfect for rooms where you want to maintain clear sightlines to the garden.

Stable Doors

Stable doors are divided horizontally so you can open the top half for airflow while keeping the bottom closed for safety and security.

They bring charm and practicality, especially for homes with children or pets.

Composite stable doors offer all the rustic appeal with none of the maintenance hassle and are a smart upgrade from timber versions.

Want that seamless inside-outside feel? Don’t miss our Flush Threshold Guide.

Style It Your Way

Traditional Homes

If you live in a Victorian terrace or a country cottage, you’ll want a door that complements the heritage look.

Classic colours like black, heritage green, and rich woodgrain finishes like oak or rosewood are ideal.

Pair these with traditional hardware like decorative knockers or antique-style handles to complete the look.

Modern Homes

For contemporary new builds or refurbished properties with clean lines, consider colours like anthracite grey, steel blue, or bold matte finishes. Aluminium doors are especially popular in these settings thanks to their minimal sightlines and architectural feel.

Trending Colours

While personal taste is key, one colour continues to dominate across property styles — Anthracite Grey. It’s modern, elegant, and pairs beautifully with a wide variety of building materials from brick to render to cladding.

From period homes to sleek new builds, we’ve got the finishes to match:

Traditional homes: go for black, heritage green or oak.
Modern homes: anthracite grey, steel blue, or bold statement colours.

External Door Sizes (UK Standard Dimensions)

Here are the common external door sizes UK customers ask for:

Height: 1981mm (standard)
Width: 762mm to 838mm (single)
Thickness: 44mm (standard composite), up to 70mm (premium)

Need help measuring? Contact our expert team directly, or check out our measuring guide on all composite door pages

Supply Only vs Supply & Fit: What’s Right for You?

Supply Only: Ideal for tradespeople, or confident DIYers with fitters lined up.
Supply & Fit: We handle everything, from delivery to expert installation.

Not sure which suits you? We’re happy to help you weigh up the pros and cons.

Ready to Choose Your External Door? GFD Homes Make It Easy

No matter what stage of the journey you’re at — browsing ideas, comparing materials or ready to buy — we’re here to help make it simple.

Our expert team is on hand to answer any questions, offer tailored advice, and make sure you get the best door for your home and lifestyle.

If you’d prefer to speak to someone directly, you can call our expert team on 01642 309 576. Alternatively, you can get an instant quote online by visiting GFD Homes.

FAQs for External Doors

Who makes the best composite doors in the UK?

We supply Solidor, Comp Door and Door Stop — trusted names known for top-tier quality.

How long do external doors last?

The lifespan of an external door depends on the material. Composite and aluminium doors can last upwards of 30 years with minimal maintenance, while uPVC doors typically offer 20–25 years of dependable use.

What is better, uPVC or composite doors?

Composite doors outperform uPVC in terms of insulation, durability and security, though uPVC is more affordable.

Do I need planning permission to change my external door?

In most cases, you don’t need planning permission to replace your external door, unless your property is listed or located in a designated conservation area.

It’s always wise to double-check with your local planning authority if in doubt.

Are composite doors worth the extra money?

Absolutely. You’re paying for strength, longevity and energy performance — all with zero maintenance.

What are standard external door sizes in the UK?

Standard external door dimensions in the UK are usually 1981mm in height and range from 762mm to 838mm in width. Premium doors, especially composite and aluminium models, can have increased thickness for better insulation — typically 44mm to 70mm.

What is the most popular colour for composite front doors?

Anthracite Grey – timeless, modern and suits almost every house style.

Are external doors fire-rated?

Not all external doors are fire-rated. If you require a fire-rated door — such as for an internal garage entrance — make sure to choose a certified model and consult building regulations or our expert team.

What is the best external door for security?

Composite doors with a solid core, such as those from Solidor, are considered the best for security. Look for models with PAS 24 certification and multi-point locking mechanisms for maximum peace of mind.