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Swartland: Leading From The Front

“The front door is the beginning of our journey through a home,” says Cobus Lourens from leading window and door manufacturer, Swartland. “It’s the first thing anybody will look at and come into contact with when entering a home – it is a focal point, which is why it commands the most attention in the marketplace.”

He goes on to add that investing in a new front door has many benefits, including increasing a home’s appeal and value, its safety and security, energy efficiency and insulation, as well as helping to reduce dust, allergens and noise pollution from entering the home. However, in order to benefit from all of these, Cobus notes that it is important that you do your research first, in order to make the best possible purchase decision.

1. How to select the right front door

When shopping, Cobus advises that you focus on the following factors:

  • Architectural style: It is imperative that your front door complements the overall architectural style of your home.
  • Lifestyle: Consider the people in your life, and the location of your home, when shopping for a new front door. Is there a particular view that you would like to preserve, what is the climate in your area like, what kind of security are you looking for, and so on.
  • Material: There is a variety of materials that you can choose from when selecting your front door, with the most popular being wood and aluminium. Each material has pros and cons that need to be weighed up and compared.
  • Budget: It is essential to work out what your maximum budget is for your new front door, and work backwards from there.
  • Special features: You can personalise your front door with various extras, including its colour, finish, glazing, sidelights, and hardware.

2. Choosing your material

As mentioned above, front doors today are made from a wide variety of materials, with the most popular being timber and aluminium. Let’s take a closer look:

  • Timber: Wood has many benefits, not least of which is its rich and luxurious good looks and naturally warm aesthetic. However, it also allows for design flexibility, it is exceptionally strong, it is a great insulator, and, if harvested from renewable resources, it is a green building material. On the downside however, wood does need regular maintenance to keep it in tiptop condition.
  • Aluminium: Aluminium windows and doors have taken the market by storm – they are long lasting, durable and require virtually no maintenance at all. They are available in a number of different colours, and they offer a smooth surface that creates an even coloured finish. They also seal very well, which reduces the chance of drafts and the strength of aluminium allows for narrow, thin profiles, allowing for the maximum glazing – which makes them great for letting in outdoor views. The only drawback is that aluminium doesn’t rank very well when it comes to being a good insulator.

3. Extra features

“There are a number of ways that you can personalise your front door to really make it your own,” says Cobus. Here are a few examples:

  • Finishes and colour: Front doors are available in a variety of finishes and colours. Swartland’s Ready-2-Fit range of doors come pre-glazed and pre-sealed in the following choice of colours: Imbuia, Mahogany, Teak, White, and Light Oak. However, you can seal and paint your wooden front door in any choice of colour you choose. Swartland’s KENZO range of aluminium front doors is available in the following durable powder-coated finishes: Silver, Bronze, Charcoal, and White.
  • Glazing: When it comes to glazing, you have various options too. When it comes to doors, by law, all moving doors need to be fitted with a minimum of 4mm toughened safety glass. Or you can choose to up the ante, and install specialised glazing, such as double-glazing, energy efficient Low-E, tinted, reflective or laminate glazing.
  • Sidelights: For added natural light and visual appeal, you can choose to install sidelights and transoms around your front door. There are a variety of shapes and styles to choose from, which can radically influence the aesthetic appeal of your front door.
  • Hardware: Just like jewellery can make or break an outfit, door hardware can have an enormous effect on the visual appeal and functionality of your front door. They need to be both beautiful and practical, and they should coordinate with other decorative elements in your home for maximum appeal.

4. Energy efficiency

With the high cost of electricity and the growing concern about the health of our planet, going green should always be something that we think about. Cobus offers a breakdown of the most important things to consider:

  • Glazing: The type of glazing you choose will go a long way to determine how well insulated your front door is. The standard glazing doesn’t insulate very well, but you can always ask for Low-E or double-glazing for optimum insulation qualities.
  • Installation: It is imperative that your door is installed properly, as this will prevent air filtration into your home. Also, if your front door is not properly installed, it will not operate properly.
  • Placement: Think about placement. For example, if you live in a very hot climate, and your front door faces West, then it would probably not be a good idea to include a door with lots of glazing or sidelights, as the setting sun will shine into your home, heating it up in summer.
  • Frame construction: This is very important – a shoddy constructed frame will reduce a door’s insulative qualities and smooth operation. Look for brands that offer excellent craftsmanship and back it up with a manufacturer’s guarantee. Swartland for example offers a 3-year guarantee on its KENZO aluminium range of windows and doors, and a 10-year guarantee on its Cape Culture range of wooden windows and doors.

For more visit Swartland.


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