The front door to your house is one of the first things people notice. This means it serves a greater purpose aside from welcoming guests. Additionally, back and side doors are important for convenience, ventilation, natural light, and security.
For homeowners living in the UK who want an upgrade or replacement, uPVC doors offer style options that many other replaceable doors don’t offer. What makes them stand out? Their ability to enhance curb appeal while delivering versatility, durability, low maintenance needs, energy efficiency alongside a wide variety of attractive designs.
Here at Bowland Windows, we pride ourselves in assisting homeowners throughout Lancashirewith uPVC doors supply and fit services tailored high-performance uPVC doors that match their property’s architecture and personal preferences. From modern new builds to character-rich cottages, we provide durable bespoke solutions that stand the test of time.
This guide covers all essential aspects including styles, glazing techniques, colors choice, hardware selection and practical tips ensuring you receive the appropriate uPVC door regardless if it’s intended for the front side or back entrance—focused on UK standards.
Why Are uPVC Doors So Popular In The UK?

There is good reasoning as to why UK householders have adopted using uPVC over traditional wooden doors for replacements within the past decade span. uPVC provides value for money as it gives adequate insulation while remaining affordable compared to contact replacing windows or even timber sash doubling making these ideal across residences fitted with single-glazed glass windows due its hundred percent moisture-proof quality along sidesteps offering long-term whittle resistance.
Key Benefits of uPVC
- Multi-chambered frames promote energy efficiency.
- Requires minimal upkeep (no need for painting or staining).
- Modern multi-point lock systems provide advanced security features.
- Exceptional weather resistance coupled with durability.
- Broad selection of custom design options.
A uPVC door is suitable for new-build estates, countryside cottages, or Victorian terraced homes as they can be designed to enhance your property’s looks and offer desired functionality.
Front Door Styles: Statement Pieces for Any Home

Serving as an architectural statement, the front door is one of the most prominent features of any house. It should encapsulate personal style while granting homeowners thermal insulation, security and aesthetic appeal.
Traditional Front Door Designs
Heritage Homes often incorporate classic details that are timeless such as the symmetrical framed glazing found in traditional uPVC panel designs which emulate timber alongside carved detailing.
For example:
- Georgian-style six panel doors adorned with brass hardware feature prominently.
- Victorian style half-glazed front doors embellished with etched or leaded glass.
- Cottage styled vertical panels featuring wood grain finishes accentuated with grooves.
These styles beautifully combine with frosted glass or other decorative glass options, solid brass or black iron fittings, and heritage colours like Chartwell Green, Duck Egg Blue, and Mahogany.
Contemporary Front Door Styles and Designs
For modern houses or extensions, uPVC doors can evoke minimalism and elegance. Bold colours such as Anthracite Grey, Jet Black and even sleek flush panels with bold vertical cut glass inserts are quite popular these days.
Modern designs typically:
- Have fewer panels for a sleeker streamlined appearance.
- Incorporate asymmetry with slimline glazing.
- Prioritize sharp lines paired with matte black or stainless steel hardware.
Back And Side Doors: Where Practicality Meets Style

While front doors serve as ornamental focal points, back or side access doors especially for kitchens, utility rooms, or garden pathways need to strike a balance between security and practicality.
Half-glazed and Fully Glazed uPVC Doors
One of the most common styles of back door in the UK is half glazed uPVC doors which admit light into darker areas while paneled structures provide some level of privacy. Fully glazed sidelights often frosted add privacy where unrestricted views are undesirable but maximum light is preferred.
It has been noticed that homeowners are increasingly matching their back doors to their front doors by color and hardware for visual alignment across the home.
Stable Doors: A Harmonious Blend of Charms and Functionality
Ideal for country houses, farmhouses, or even ground-floor apartments where there are small children and pets, stable doors have the split feature allowing the top and bottom to be opened separately. You can open the top part for ventilation while keeping the bottom closed to ensure safety.
Glazing Options: Admit Light While Maintaining Privacy
Maintaining glazing is key in appearance and energy saving use. However, different modern manufacturers of uPVC doors provide lots of double or triple glazed units with decorative elements as well as obscure privacy glass.
Choosing the Right Glass
- Clear Glazing – Great for visibility and natural daylight difference.
- Frosted or Satin Glass – Ideal when light passes through but blocks view.
- Decorative Glass – With added patterns, bevels or leaded inserts enhances beauty.
- Triple Glazing – Especially useful on busy utilization areas as it increases insulation properties alongside noise reduction.
Lead patterned fanlight above your front door or geometric sidelight etched offers contemporary look that will allow you make bold statement.
Colour Selections: From Timeless White to Daring Statements
uPVC doors now come in a broad spectrum of colours and finishes. While white continues to be the most popular choice, an increasing number of homeowners are opting for other colours to express their identity or match with their brickwork, cladding, or rendering.
Most Preferred Door Colours In The UK
- Anthracite Grey – Modern and sleek, perfect for contemporary builds
- Duck Egg Blue / Cream / Agate Grey – Soft, subtle elegance
- Chartwell Green – Traditional with a blend of countryside charm
- Golden Oak / Irish Oak – Rich wood-effect tones with warm hues
- Slate Grey and Jet Black – Bold picks for clean architectural designs
Many doors incorporate the option for dual colourings; you can have white on the inside with your preferred colour on the outside. This allows homes to maintain neutral interiors while enhancing exterior kerb appeal.
The cohesiveness of your handles, knockers, letterboxes, and locks binds together all aspects of your works door including aesthetic purpose and functionality.
Key Features to Think About
- Handles – Lever handles in chrome, brass, matte black or steel.
- Knockers – Traditional urn styles, lion heads, or modern bars.
- Letterplates – Choose rectangular or oval in matching metals.
- Spyholes / Door Chains – Add practical security to front entrances.
- Hinges and Locks – Colour-matched and concealed for a clean look.
To achieve balance with the rest of the home’s furnishings, a period-style door would pair best with polished brass or antique black hardware. Modern setups are better served with understated touches like graphite or brushed stainless finishes.
Matching Door Styles To Your Property Type
Different house styles suit different aesthetics and set elements. Here’s a simple guide:
Home Style → Suggested Door Look
- Victorian / Edwardian – Classic 4- or 6-panel doors with leaded or patterned glazing
- Cottage or Farmhouse – Vertical groove panels or stable door featuring heritage glass
- 1930s or Mid-century – Half-glazed doors finished in pastel hues or oak tones
- New-Build Semi – Flush panel incorporating offset glazing done in grey or black
- Urban Modern Extension – Full-glazed side door with frosted glass accented by chrome handle
For more style inspiration and installation advice, read our full uPVC doors guide or see how composite doors guide compare in design and durability.
Recommended Maintenance: Preventative Care For Enduring Functionality

UPVC material is often selected for its durability and low maintenance. Insufficient preventative measures can make even the toughest of materials susceptible to damage.
Your uPVC door can look and function like new for over 20 years by following these steps:
- Mild Soap Treatments: Wipe monthly with warm water and mild soap.
- Maintain Lubrication on Locks & Hinges: Stiffness preventative oiling once per year.
- Weather Strips Examination: Inspect for wear and drafts.
- Glass Panels Care: Clean with non-abrasive glass cleaners.
Abrasilox Chemicals or harsh pad use will dull the finish of your door, which is not something anyone appreciates.
Homeowners New to uPVC Should Keep These in Mind For Their Installations
Knowing what goes into the installation process will help homeowners who are new to uPVC doors make an informed decision.
- Precision Measuring: Employ a professional to measure the door aperture. It makes a difference.
- Long/Standard Thresholds Consideration: Would you prefer low thresholds (wheelchair accessible) versus standard ones? Decided decided? Good!
- UK Building Regulations Compliance: External doors need to comply with energy performance benchmarks as well as fire safety standards.
- Security features you want checked: PAS24 certification and Secure by Design locking systems marked approved must be included.
Bowland Windows guarantees all installations compliant and secure by default. Additionally, other options include superfluous energy conservation elements, all without supplanting regulations.
Final Reminders To Reflect Your Home!
Have an exhilarating time picking out double-glazed units – they come in different styles, frames, colours so add some pizzazz! For those looking for modern simplicity, timeless elegance or even country charm some designs exist that enhance exhaustively.
Your front, back and side doors should fulfill the following requirements:
- Sidesteps your home’s design
- Achieves your light, privacy, and security goals
- Provides energy-efficient performance all year round
Ready To Transform Your Home?
Are you considering changing your rear or front doors? Would you want a door that is functionally as well as aesthetically pleasing?
👉 At Bowland Windows we provide high endurance uPVC doors together with specialist installation, personalized layouts and significant durability.
We can aid in achieving bespoke layout solutions that make certain sophistication, first-class protection and amazing durability. Contact us today for a cost-free consultation and take the initial step toward updating your home with a door that really stands out. Your best entry waits for!
FAQs
With attention to detail, the right tools, and patience, you are able to undertake fitting a uPVC door yourself. Take note that professional installers will ensure correct fitting which guarantees security and full manufacturer warranty protection.
Place the frame in the designated opening, level it, secure it with fixings, insert the door sash, align hinges and seal around the frame then test all locking mechanisms.
An UPVC door is made of reinforced steel/aluminium core with insulated interior as well as multi point locking system. Besides the reinforced cores doors have uPVC outer skins. They are welded with durability in mind enhancing thermal efficiency.
UPVC doors are superior when comparing them to standard PVC for homes due to being stronger and more weather resistant while non-toxic making them more long-lasting than other materials.Vinyl PVC being softer makes them less suitable for structural applications such as front doors.
uPVC doors typically last 20 to thirty years with correct treatment. Regular cleaning, lubing hinges, and inspecting seals assist maintain their resilience, energy effectiveness, and safety and security over time.