In the UK, burglary is one of the most common crimes committed, with one happening every 108 seconds. Security is therefore a hugely important factor to consider when it comes to choosing a new front door, and finding the right hardware and door accessories can make all the difference. Features such as handles and letterboxes can also make an eye-catching finishing touch to your door.
Here, we take you through the different types of parts and hardware for your aluminium front door, and their benefits.
In this guide:
Find out more about the different handle options when it comes to choosing a new external door.
Read our guide on what to consider when choosing your handle, including materials, security and more.
Find out how to choose a handle look and style that suits your home and preferences.
We provide you with expert tips on choosing a secure handle and door lock.
Read how to choose other types of front door hardware and features, such as glazing options, letterboxes, and more.
Find out the benefits of choosing the Origin Front Door, and what they have to offer.
What types of door handles are available for front doors?
Origin’s solid stainless steel lever handle with long back plate
Lever handle
- •The traditional, popular option
- •Works with the latches, meaning your door is always unlocked unless the lock is engaged
- •Designed and tested to be durable and withstand brute force from intruders
- •Easy to turn, which is helpful for people with poor dexterity
Origin’s Bow Bar handle
Pull handle (or bar handle)
- •A great option for contemporary front doors
- •Automatic locking system, so once you close the door, you can’t get back in without a key
- •Can be used to make an entrance stand out—long pulls can particularly provide a bit of drama
- •Very simple to use, with a good, solid feel
- •Secure in that they can’t be used to breach a front door.
Escutcheon pull handle
- •Essentially a keyhole cover that protects your door against damage from the key
- •Has a finger pull that you can use to pull the door closed
- •Secure, lessening the risk of lock picking, bumping and drilling
- •Blocks draughts through the keyhole
Door knob
- •The classic, vintage option—ideal for country houses, cottages and doors with traditional designs
- •Some knobs incorporate a keyhole and lock
- •Comes in a wide range of shapes
- •May be difficult to use for people with poor dexterity or arthritis.
With the Origin Front Door, you have the choice of:
a bar handle (straight, offset or bow bar)
a finger pull escutcheon handle
premium stainless steel lever handles
aluminium offset lever handles.
Are you looking for a high-quality, aluminium front door?
Each home has its own unique character, and your front door is a big part of that. Origin Front Doors are made bespoke to your needs, so you can ensure it’s making the right statement for your home:
- •Specify your size
- •Pick a panel or mid-rail option
- •Pick a colour on the frame, sash and panel
- •Select your handle & colour
- •Select whether you want your door to include a letterbox, knocker or a spyhole.
- •Pick your threshold.
The different material options for front door handles
It’s vital you pick the right material for external door handles. As opposed to internal door handles, your front door is exposed to rain, wind, and air, and so needs to be able to withstand the worst kind of weather.
Generally, your best options are stainless steel, aluminium, nickel, or chrome door handles. These materials fare extremely well in all weathers and need very little maintenance. A light coating of wax and an occasional wipe with a soft cloth will keep your door handle looking its best for many years.
Brass is a popular option for traditional types of doors, but can suffer wear more easily over time, as the lacquer degrades in the open air. It will lose its polished look and may even change colour, so do keep this in mind.
Are you choosing a material for your new front door? Read our front door material comparison guide here.
Choosing a finish, look and style for your handle
Deciding on a finish for your handle is where you can let your creativity loose. You can choose something to match:
- The style of the door
- The overall character of your home
- Your own tastes and preferences.
It seems obvious, but a useful rule of thumb is to pick a handle that matches your door’s lock, hinges, and threshold. It’s also a good idea to maintain a consistent style—brass or iron door hardware is better suited to an older period property and traditional front door, while stainless steel fits a more modern look.
You might opt for a handle in silver, gold, chrome, black or white, and finish it off with a brushed or polished coating. Silver is particularly good in that it can be paired with all other colours and won’t go out of fashion. At Origin, there are various colours available including stainless steel and colour coded options.
Some people prefer an understated handle while others are happy to go for a bar handle that runs almost the entire length of the door. Whichever style you choose, remember that, above all, the handle should be practical and feel as though it’s taking its rightful place among the other hardware.
Read more in our guide to choosing a design and style for your front door.
Handle and lock security
Ensuring your handle is strong enough to resist a possible break-in is crucial. Choosing a reputable supplier can ensure your handle is secure and of high-quality. It is also vital to consider the locking system of your door.
What locks are available with Origin Front Doors?
Origin Front Doors come with a choice of two high-security locking systems:
- Five-point automatic locking system, which can be fitted on doors which have a bar or pull handle bar. They can only be disengaged with a key and can lock without having to lift the handle.
- A unique eight-point locking system, which can be fitted to doors which have a security lever handle. They feature 20mm shoot bolts at the top and bottom of the track – these are chamfered, which makes them smoother and more waterproof. Eight-point locking systems feature deep-throw security hooks – locking into the frame. These 25mm hooks are the deepest hooks currently available.
Read our full guide to choosing a safe and secure front door.
Shop the Origin Front Door range today to find out more about your options.
What other features should you consider for your front door?
Hinges
While hinges serve the primary purpose of enabling your door to function, they can also make the difference between a secure and insecure home.
Like door handles, they’re often a point of weakness that possible intruders look to exploit when attempting to break in to a property. So it’s vital that you choose a hinge that won’t make your home vulnerable in this way.
The most common type of hinge is the butt hinge. They’re designed so that when the door is closed, only the knuckle part of the hinge is visible, meaning they’re less exposed outside the house.
There are different butt hinges. Some higher-quality butt hinges contain ball bearings which make them less likely to squeak. Most butt hinges are engineered to take the weight of heavy doors and provide plenty of security.
As you’ll use your front door probably more than any other, you need to fit it with door hinges that are made to take the strain from this kind of repetitive use.
Origin Front Doors come with three security hinges made of zinc as standard. As well as being extremely strong, they’re designed to prevent the door from being forced off from the outside—giving you added peace of mind.
Door knockers
If you choose to install a door knocker rather than a doorbell, you need one you’ll be able to hear clearly from anywhere inside the house. Knockers have a strike plate which amplifies the noise made when the knocker is used, while protecting the door from damage.
Most door knockers are made of metal, and many are plated with an alloy such as brass or chrome. Which type you opt for depends on the style of your door and the overall aesthetic of the house. A period property would need a knocker that reflects the age of the home, while a more modern design can accommodate a wider range of styles.
Your door knocker should ideally:
Go in the middle of the door at about head height
Match the style and look of the other hardware.
At Origin, we offer a stainless steel knocker, which is versatile to complement a wide range of door panels and colours.
Letterboxes
The best letterboxes allow your mail to be delivered while keeping the warmth in and the cold air out. When choosing a letterbox, look for one which has:
a fully sprung flap that opens easily to 180°—this makes it easier for the postman to insert large, A4-size letters
an internal draught seal and external weather seal
a brush seal which prevents dust and other debris from getting in.
View our range of front doors to find out more about the letterbox available on Origin Doors.
Security restrictors
These are solid locking bars which allow you to open your door just enough to see who is calling without making yourself vulnerable. They are simple to use, applied and released with ease, and tend to be stronger and more secure than standard door chains.
With Origin Front Doors, you have the option of fitting a security restrictor.
Glazing
Many of today’s front doors feature some kind of glass. Sidelights and other top lights are popular and are used to let natural light into the home while adding style and class to the front entrance.
French doors with sidelights are a fast-growing home-improvement trend, as more and more homeowners see the benefits they offer in terms of security, functionality, and overall kerb appeal.
Where security was once a concern, nowadays, front door glass is double-glazed as standard and often toughened or reinforced so it’s shatterproof, but please discuss glass options with your chosen installation partner.
Energy efficiency also tends to be at the forefront of people’s minds when choosing a front door. Door glazing works like window glazing in that the panes are sealed around the outside, with a cavity between them. This cavity is often filled with an inert gas to restrict heat loss. Read our front door materials comparison guide to find out more about front door thermal efficiency.
There are many types of glass for front doors, each with their own benefits. Obscure or frosted glass can be used to provide privacy, while coloured or textured glass provides a certain visual appeal. Your chosen installation partner will be responsible for sourcing glass, so they'll be able to advise on options.
Read our complete guide to front door glazing here.
Seals and weatherstripping
All front doors are equipped with seals that keep them airtight and protect your home from cold draughts and bad weather.
Some homeowners tend to supplement these seals with more weatherstripping in the form of rubber, vinyl, silicone, or reinforced foam strips fitted on the bottom of the door. Door sweeps—flat pieces of plastic, aluminium or stainless steel fitted with a strip of nylon, plastic, or vinyl or a sponge brush—can be used to fill the space between the door and the threshold.
If you choose to install weatherstripping to your door, make sure it will be able to withstand the friction, weather, temperature changes and wear and tear it will come up against. Weatherstripping should create an effective seal when the door or window is closed but allow it to open freely.
Why choose the Origin Front Door?
The Origin Front Door allows you to choose a completely bespoke door according to your unique style and tastes. This includes accessories and hardware, the door colour and panel design, sizes, thresholds, and more. With 10 eye-catching panels to choose from - there’s a style to suit every taste. At Origin, we use premium quality aluminium to ensure your door will stand the test of time. On top of this – you will also enjoy unbeatable lead times, with our Kensington range being available on a one-week lead time in our six most popular colours. Shop our aluminium front door range today.
