Tag: doors

How to protect magnet screen doors from pet damage

How to protect magnet screen doors from pet damage

There’s nothing like opening the glass door and letting the air flow in through the screen door during hot summers. When you open the screen door, though, it frequently appears as if you’re inviting your dogs, bugs and other creatures to come running. Both dogs and cats are infamous for destroying screen doors; pets will scratch at them until they’re ripped or torn if you don’t train them to stop. Although a rip in the screen door may not seem to be a major issue, bear in mind that bugs and other creatures can use this weakness in the screen to gain access to your home. Below are some tips on how to keep pets from destroying your screen door.

Scratch shield

Do you have a dog who’s continuously begging to go outdoors and scratching at the screen door until someone eventually gives in? If this is the case with your dog, a scratch shield should be high on your shopping list. Scratch shields are a protective covering that you place over the entrance where your pet is most likely to scratch. They’re generally made of strong, reinforced plastic. You could even get hold of a few extra and use them to preserve the paint and glass of your sliding glass door or entry door.

Visual obstacles

If your dog has a habit of running head-first into the screen door because he’s excited about the rabbit he’s discovered in the back garden, it’s time to upgrade your Magnetic Screen Door by Flux Phenom with a visible barrier. A strip of neon-coloured tape across the lower part of the screen door will signal to your dog that there’s something in the way through which they can’t pass. Using safety pins through the screen mesh, you could even attach felt to the lower part of the screen door.

Heavy-duty screen door

While most home-owners are happy with the standard screen mesh door that comes with a sliding glass door, those with dogs will need to replace the lighter-weight material with something more durable. A heavy-duty screen that can withstand claws and teeth is recommended for households with outside cats and small dogs. Unfortunately, changing your screen will be difficult, therefore it is recommended to call door replacement and repair professionals to avoid causing harm to your sliding screen door by accident.

Screen grills

These protective covers, which lay over the lower part of your screen door, work almost like a baby barrier. Because most models can be fastened with a few screws, you won’t have to worry about screen grills coming out every time you open the door. To cut through the current wire mesh on a screen door and install a dog door, you’ll need a box-cutter knife.

Conclusion

When everything is taken into consideration, it’s also critical to trim your pet’s claws when they get too long, as well as to teach them to avoid scratching and gnawing the Magnetic Screen Door by Flux Phenom. Many of these techniques also work as a remedy for windows if your pet has the same propensity with window screens.

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The best type of front door for your home

The best type of front door for your home

Looking to refresh your front door? There’s a variety of different styles and materials available on the market today. What will work best for you depends on your budget and needs. It’s also important to consider not only style, but also insulation and security – especially when it comes to the main point of entry to your home.

Let’s not forget about durability. As we’ll find out below, certain types of doors hold up better over time and use, making for a wiser investment in the long run. If energy efficiency is a concern, then you’ll need to think about whether the material can adequately keep cold air out during the winter.

Let’s make it easier to choose the right option by looking at the various types of front doors that you can buy today.

Wooden front door

Wood

  • Great durability with enough care
  • Great efficiency (worsens over time)
  • Medium to high maintenance

The traditional choice, wood doors are typically made out of pine, oak, maple or mahogany. A potential advantage is that they can be personalised to include ornaments and decorative accents, as well as glass elements. Keep in mind that wood doors tend to be on the expensive side and require regular maintenance.

The latter is due to the fact that the material is prone to rotting and fading. Opting for a solid-core wooden veneer will help to reduce the amount of decay.

Locking a UPVC front door

PVC

  • Good durability
  • Excellent efficiency
  • Low maintenance

The new kid on the block, PVC doors are becoming increasingly popular thanks to their lightweight, energy-efficient designs. The material is also relatively cheap and doesn’t rust, not to mention being recyclable. The best doors in this category are uPVC. They’re the most durable and least flexible type, so they’re less prone to warping.

To see what’s available, take a look at the range of uPVC external doors at Hardings Windows and Doors who have over 30 years of experience in the UPVC trade. You can learn more about their external doors here and the benefits they offer to see if they align with your needs. Their experts will also be able to provide you with a free, no-obligation quote for the front door of your choice.

Glass front door

Glass

  • Average durability
  • Poor efficiency
  • Low maintenance

Glass makes for one of the most attractive modern front door styles on the market. That is if you don’t mind people being able to see into your home. They’re better suited for warmer climates (and safer areas) as glass tends to be a poor insulator. One advantage is that glass requires virtually no maintenance other than some occasional cleaning.

Blue metal door

Aluminium

  • Great durability
  • Decent efficiency
  • Low maintenance

A great option for contemporary homes, aluminium is highly durable and surprisingly resistant to moisture. One disadvantage is the fact that it’s prone to water stains, which can become unsightly over time. It’s also worth noting that aluminium doesn’t offer the best amount of insulation.

That said, it’s a relatively affordable option that will outlast most other door types, making it suitable for external use. If you have a higher budget, consider a steel door as a more stylish and energy-efficient alternative.

Blue front door

Composite

  • Great durability
  • Excellent efficiency
  • Low maintenance

This material type refers to a combination of the above-mentioned materials. Composite doors can incorporate glass, wood, PVC, and insulated foam elements. Choose the right one and you can have yourself a highly durable and efficient front door. Of course, this does come at a higher cost than other options and there are fewer styles on offer.

Be sure to consider the way your home is set up when choosing a front door. Safety and durability are just as important as aesthetics, and going for something more efficient can save you a pretty penny in energy bills as time passes.

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What type of entrance door does your home need?

"What type of entrance door does your home need?" Red front door in a white wall

The way your home looks from the outside is important. A tatty, old-fashioned door is a sure-fire way to make a poor impression on visitors. Or worse, when it is time to sell your home, prospective buyers. Below, we take a look at the pros and cons of buying three types of specialist exterior doors.

Bright blue door with dolphin door knocker

Why buying a luxury brand makes sense for many home-owners

Buying a high-end, luxury front door and entranceway is well worth considering. Various studies show that homes that look good from the outside sell for a lot more money. So, for most home-owners, a luxury front door will turn out to be a good investment. You can find out more about luxury entrance-ways and doors by clicking the link.

Typically, these high-end entrance doors are well-made, strong and designed not to require a lot of maintenance. The best retailers guarantee their products for many years to come. They will install your door and happily come back to solve any issues that occur once the door settles. If you want to fit new door furnishings or a modern digital bell, they will usually be only too happy to assist.

Wide, blue front door with arched top

Why wider doors make sense

In some cases, it is a good idea to install a wider than normal exterior door. They look really impressive, but the main reason we are suggesting that you consider this option is not looks. Wider doors are far more practical.

If you have an elderly relative that uses a walker, or a friend that has a mobility scooter or wheelchair, a wider doorway will make things far easier for everyone. Given the fact that the UK population is an ageing one, having a wider doorway could make it easier to sell your home. A significant percentage of potential buyers will view a wider entranceway as a positive feature.

Pair of front doors with iron grille security gates

A security door

In areas where crime is an issue, it is well worth paying a little extra to keep your family and possessions safer. Surprisingly, many burglars still gain entry to homes using the exterior doors. The trend of making the top and bottom panels out of a single layer of material makes it very easy for would-be thieves. With a good kick or two, most of these panels give way, which means the thief can crawl straight in.

Flimsy locks that only engage at one point are also easy to overcome. Just like in the movies one swift boot or forceful shoulder shove can break the lock. In both scenarios, gaining entry to your home takes mere moments.

So, it is well worth investigating the possibility of buying a door that has been designed with security as a priority. If you would like a bit more advice on this subject of entranceway security you can find via the websites of reputable locksmiths.

Once you have chosen the right door, you just need to look after it. Cleaning it and repainting it when necessary will keep it looking good. It also ensures that you will not have to replace your exterior doors again, for many decades to come.

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Creative Collections: Door Knockers

Wreath door knocker | H is for Home

We talked about our day wandering around Spitalfields recently – in particular, all the fabulous original architectural features that we saw – many dating from the 18th & 19th century.

Lion's head door knocker | H is for Home Lion's head door knocker | H is for Home

One such feature was the door knockers. We became aware of them immediately. They came in all shapes, sizes and styles – with some common themes such as garlands, rope twists, ladies’ hands, sphinx heads, fish and lions.

U-shaped door knocker | H is for Home

Door knockers are thought to have originated in ancient Greece, when… wait for it… a slave was chained to the door. Their sole purpose was to open the door for recognised visitors. If they’d fallen asleep, the metal ring that they were chained to acted as a knocker to wake them up. We’re pleased to announce that no one was chained to the doors of Spitalfield! Ancient Rome adopted the custom and door knockers became a feature of wealthy houses throughout the empire. Over time, they developed from a simple ring into the more elaborate designs.

Sphinx's head door knocker | H is for Home Sphinx's head door knocker | H is for Home

Think of all the people who’ve knocked on them over the years – from tradespeople delivering & hawking their wares to dinner guests in their finery. Imagine all the characters and costumes! That’s the wonder of historical objects. And there are fascinating little historical side stories to be uncovered. For example, the design below is early Georgian and known as the ‘Doctor’s door knocker’ as it actually indicated where a doctor lived. It has now become one of the more commonly reproduced classic examples seen throughout the UK.

S-shaped door knocker | H is for Home

Adelle was given an antique lion’s head door knocker many years ago by her dad to put on the front door of her first ever flat – and it’s been mounted on every front door of every house lived in since. The lion represents bravery, valour, nobility and strength. It’s seen as a protective force for those living within the house. Alas, it doesn’t seem to put off cold callers or the delivery of bills.

Ladies hand door knocker | H is for Home Ladies hand door knocker | H is for Home

We saw lots of these lovely hand knockers that day. They’re based on the hand of Fatima – a palm-shaped amulet that protected against evil. It was seen as the perfect form for a door knocker, protecting the house inhabitants in the same way. They were common in countries around the Mediterranean, from where their popularity spread. Fatima is also known as Hamsa – the daughter of the prophet Muhammad – and her symbolic hand is a popular talisman across the Middle East and Northern Africa.

Ladies hand door knocker | H is for Home

An attractive door knocker has such presence – and makes a very good first impression on visitors.And when you wander round historical streets like those in Spitalfields, with different knockers on every door, it adds such interest to the rows of houses. These pictures represent only a small selection of those we saw that day. If we ever return to the area (which we’re sure that we will), we’re going to create a more comprehensive image catalogue.