Heritage Internal Door Comparisons | Aluminium vs. Timber

Heritage doors come in various materials, finishes and specifications, making them the perfect choice for modern and traditional homes, especially renovations and extensions. Aluminium and timber are popular choices, but how do they compare?

Explore our complete guide below and examine the pros and cons of both aluminium and timber to ensure you choose the best option for your home.

Are Aluminium Heritage Doors Better Than Wooden Heritage Doors?

Wooden and aluminium internal Heritage doors are incredibly similar in their design and appearance, but their materials hold different properties that could influence your decision. Take a look at our table below to help you make your choice.

What are the Main Differences Between Aluminium and Timber Heritage Doors?

Although they are exceedingly similar in style, wooden and aluminium internal Heritage doors differ in multiple ways, including:

• Material: the most obvious difference is the material used for the frames. Aluminium internal doors are strong and durable, and mimic steel-framed doors by providing ultra-slim sightlines. Timber internal doors are made from natural wood, offering a traditional look that suits older properties, but they are ideal for modern homes too.

• Cost: the difference in material can also affect the price of your doors, as well as size, style and glazing options. Timber is usually much cheaper than aluminium, as it doesn’t require the advanced level of engineering that aluminium does, and it doesn’t need powder-coating. For example, our Heritage internal French wooden doors start from £929, whereas our Aluspace internal French doors start from £1,549.

• Maintenance: aluminium Heritage internal doors need very little maintenance due to the durable powder-coated frames. They don’t rust or warp, and only need wiping with soapy water every now and again. Timber Heritage doors are more likely to rot or warp if they are neglected.

• Thermal Efficiency: as wood is a natural insulator, it is incredibly thermally efficient, retaining heat exceptionally well. Modern aluminium Heritage doors can also trap heat effectively, but thermal efficiency doesn’t tend to be a priority with internal doors.

• Availability at Vufold: at Vufold, we stock both aluminium and oak internal Heritage doors perfectly suited to any home. Our aluminium range is much bigger, catering to single doors, French doors and sliding doors, whereas our wooden range contains bifold doors and French doors.

You can view our full collection of internal Heritage doors here.

Can You Customise Aluminium and Timber Heritage Doors?

Heritage internal aluminium and timber doors can be customised, but it can depend on the manufacturer. You can usually customise your doors by choosing:

• The colour of the frames

• Different sizing options

• Glass options, such as clear or reeded

• Different handles

• Locks, especially handy if the door leads to a home office

• Sidelights and fanlights (with French doors and single doors)

• The number of panels/doors (sliding doors, bifold doors)

You can use our bespoke custom service if you can't find the size or finish you're looking for.

What Heritage Aluminium and Timber Internal Doors are Available for Me?

At Vufold, we have a vast collection of steel-look Heritage internal doors made from both aluminium and timber. Our aluminium Heritage internal door collection includes:

Heritage Aluminium Single Doors

For smaller entryways and homes, Aluspace Heritage single doors can still add a sophisticated touch to any home. Our single doors at Vufold measure 06.m x 2.84m as standard, but fanlights and sidelights can be added for more natural light. You can choose from black or anthracite grey frames, but reeded glass, brass and matt black handles and locks are optional extras.

Heritage Aluminium French Doors

Our Aluspace French doors start at 1.2m x 2.08m and can go as large as 3m x 2.38m, but can also be customised for even larger spaces. Available in black and grey as standard, our internal Heritage French doors can come with sidelights and fanlights to maximise their look, and provide reeded glass, brass and matt handles and locks for an extra fee.

Heritage Aluminium Sliding Doors

Our Aluspace internal sliding doors start from 1200mm x 2084mm and increase up to 4000mm x 2384mm for larger spaces. With frames available in powder-coated black or grey, these doors can suit both modern and traditional aesthetics. Reeded glass and certain handles will cost extra, but clear glass and recessed pull handles come as standard.

Heritage Internal Bifold Doors

We have two wooden internal bifold door collections here at Vufold; Urban Inspire internal bifolds and Urban Edge (pictured above). Our Urban Inspire bifolds starts from 1.2m x 2.02 m and expand to 2.4m x 2.02 with the option to customise for a larger size. This is our cheaper range, as it provides smaller sizing for more compact spaces. The Urban Edge collection starts from 2.7m x 2.08m and can stretch to 3.6m x 2.08m, complete with the option to add your own finish if you wish.

Heritage Internal Wooden French Doors

Our internal wooden French doors range from 1.2m x 2.08m to 1.8m x 2.08m, perfect for smaller homes. All doors come in black as standard, with the option to add a handle for convenience. Like all of our doors, an installation kit is provided free of charge.

Browse our full Heritage collection at your convenience here.

Frequently Asked Questions

Are aluminium Heritage doors suitable for period properties, or is timber better?

Yes, aluminium Heritage doors can work very well in period properties, particularly where slim sightlines and a traditional appearance are important. Timber may be preferable if you want an entirely authentic, original-material look.

What maintenance is required for aluminium and timber internal doors?

Aluminium doors are generally low maintenance, usually requiring only occasional cleaning and checks of the hardware. Timber doors need more care and may require periodic painting, staining or sealing to protect them from wear and moisture.

Do aluminium Heritage doors look traditional enough for older properties?

Yes, modern aluminium Heritage doors are designed with slim frames, glazing bars and traditional styling to complement older properties. With the right finish and configuration, they can achieve a convincing period-inspired appearance.

How does the price of aluminium Heritage doors compare to timber options?

Aluminium Heritage doors can have a higher initial cost than some timber options, although prices vary depending on size, glazing, finish and specification. Their low maintenance requirements and long service life can make aluminium a worthwhile long-term investment.

Are there acoustic benefits to choosing timber over aluminium?

Not necessarily. Acoustic performance depends largely on the glazing, seals, door construction and installation rather than the frame material alone, but timber is known to keep noise levels down in certain rooms. A well-specified aluminium Heritage door can provide excellent sound reduction also.

Do aluminium Heritage doors require special installation compared to timber?

At Vufold, all door options can be installed at home without the need for professional assistance. The doors may require installers who are DIY savvy, however.

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