Back door ideas to upgrade the exterior of your home

From hardwearing composite to a wall of double glazing, back door ideas need to offer the perfect mix of style and safety.

While you naturally might focus all your attention on upgrading the front with a fresh lick of paint or a new front door, don’t neglect the back. Back door ideas can do so much to the rear of your property.

A new back door can improve the security of your home, while offering a good level of garden privacy and energy efficiency.

Back door ideas

Of course, there are the aesthetic plus points too of back door ideas. Depending on what material and colour you choose, a beautiful new back door will provide the perfect balance of style and function.

You can increase the amount of natural light into the back of your home with glass back doors. Or opt for a classic timber exterior door painted in the colour of your choice.

Read on for some of the best back door ideas.

Composite back doors

Composite back doors are tough and long-lasting. They also come in a wide range of classic and modern styles plus a variety of colours – so something for every home.

If you need a new back door, composite doors provide good insulation and weather resistance.

Composite back doors are generally viewed as a newer version of uPVC (un-plasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride) doors that were popular in the 1980s.

Both offer hardwearing back door solutions but the difference is what they are made from. A uPVC door is made from an insulated frame sealed in plastic.

Good to knows about composite back doors

• A composite door is made from a mix of materials combined under high pressure with a glass reinforced plastic (GRP) skin. Typically, it has a steel base with a polyurethane foam insulated core.
• The GRP skin creates a durable, stable and waterproof door that can be moulded into a number of designs.
• A composite door might be pricier than a uPVC door but it is more attractive and energy efficient. It’s also twice as thick. uPVC doors are flimsier, they all look the same and colours tend to fade over time.
• Check out our blog on composite door vs uPVC for more information plus the pros and cons of each type.
• Unlike wooden back door ideas, composite doors won’t swell, shrink or warp and so offer excellent draught proofing with no gaps. They are also energy-efficient and mostly come with an A or A+ energy rating.
• Composite back doors can be specified with multi-point locking systems. They also come in a range of different styles with modern glazed inserts, classic panelling or realistic woodgrain effects. Colours range from neutral anthracite, black and white to heritage red, green and duck-egg blue.
• Look out for composite doors with a 10 year guarantee for extra peace of mind.

Glass back doors

If you have an outside space, glass back doors are a fantastic way to infuse the back of your home with light.

Whether it’s a single, glass panelled, back door or a wall of sliding patio doors, glass back doors can also maximise the view outside. They are an ideal way to create a seamless connection between house and garden.

Find your local window fitter who can help you work out which sort of patio doors are best for your property.

Patio doors

Patio doors are glazed back doors that open out to your outside space – either a garden or a paved area.

Depending on the size and layout of your home, discover different types of patio doors to suit.

Let’s explore some of the most popular patio door styles…stylish glass back door ideas that will let the light flood in.

Bifold doors: If you have a gorgeous garden, bifold doors are the perfect solution to create an uninterrupted flow from inside to out. They fold back on themselves in a neat concertina fashion and so open up an entire wall. Bifolds do have lots of framing so might hinder the views.

Sliding doors: Space-saving sliding doors won’t eat into valuable floor space, inside or out. Look for minimal door frames and large panes of glass sit on runners and glide smoothly over each other. You won’t be able to open the entire run like bifolds but they are robust, slightly cheaper than bifolds and simple to operate.

French doors: Perfect for smaller openings, these double glass doors have a hinged opening with a central handle and lock. French doors can be simple and sleek or more traditional with multi panelled glass in a wood frame. Maximise the look with fixed glazed panels (sidelights) either side.

Crittall style doors: Really cool, design-led glazed back doors. Typically made up of slim black metal frames with grid-like panels. They still offer a good view out to the outside and allow daylight to flood in.

Pivoting doors: Minimal framing and sleek look. A sort of modern alternative to French doors. They create great views when closed but are not great for super busy areas and are the least watertight option.

Don’t forget to invest in high-performing double-glazed back doors for the best thermal efficiency. Or even triple glazing if you have the budget.

Wooden back door

Wooden back doors are a classic choice with a real sense of craftsmanship. They are also environmentally friendly and come in a wide range of modern and traditional styles.

Timber doors are naturally energy efficient and can be stained or painted to suit the décor of your property. It’s also really simple to change the look of your door with a new paint colour.

Decide between doors crafted from solid or engineered wood. Solid wooden doors are made from a single piece of wood while engineered doors comprise of multiple layers of wood compressed to create a core. A wood veneer is then applied on top.

Engineered wood doors are far more stable than solid wood which is more likely to react to heat and humidity and can cause warping.

Do be aware that wooden doors will require more maintenance than glazed or composite back doors. They will require regular painting, staining or sealing to protect it from the elements – so do factor this into your decision-making.

Grey back doors

Grey back doors are a popular style choice, whatever design and material you decide on.

Be inspired by our round-up of grey back doors and create a showstopping façade.

Coast along: A simple back door made up of pebble grey panels creates a modern, coastal mood.

Slide away: Deep charcoal frames are slick and smart for sliding glass back doors.

Grey matter: Match your back door with patio door for a crisp, modern look.

Laid-back: A colonial style door in rich grey offers a relaxed patio area out back.

How to fit a back door

Once you’ve decided on your back door – the next step is fitting it. There are some similarities to installing an internal door – but also some big differences.

External back doors are heavier plus there will be locks and security devices to fit. Don’t forget thresholds and weatherstrips to ensure your back door will stand up to the changing weather conditions.

We recommend employing a carpenter, joiner or window fitter to do the job properly.

You can guarantee a professional finish that also adheres to Building Regulations that surround external doors. They will also be experienced at fitting fiddly locks – a key element which needs to be done correctly.

Read our blog on how to fit an external door if you dare to install a new back door yourself.