Thermal performance is not something you generally associate with external doors. Walls, roofs and windows usually get a lot more attention from housebuilders.

But with an ever-increasing emphasis on energy efficient construction, such as the UK government’s Code for Sustainable Homes, and “environmentally-friendly” being the current buzz phrase, further ways of saving energy and scoring green points are inevitably being sought.

For German door blank and panel producer Moralt Tischlerplatten, which last year appointed James Latham plc as its sole UK distributor of Lamincore FD 30/FD 60 door blanks, this has led to the development of its FERRO Klima HTR external door blank.

The product, shown at Fensterbau/Frontale 2008 in Nuremberg during April, has been certified by the Passive House Institute and achieves its thermal performance through use of a lightweight balsawood core.

An extension to Moralt’s HTR range, the Klima’s balsawood core is surrounded by Lamincore (consisting of sheets of spruce veneers cut and arranged vertically), with a variety of facings such as MDF, plywood, HDF and chipboard.

“Exploring door blanks’ thermal performance is not usually on door manufacturers’ list of priorities, but we are looking at it and housebuilders are also looking at it,” said Moralt’s northern European sales manager Steven Dennard.

“People usually look at PU (polyurethane) and GRP (glass reinforced plastic), which are less ecological.”

He said the use of 100% timber in the door, with no oil or GRP content, locked up carbon and created a “feel-good climate”, presenting value-added benefits which could be marketed at housebuilders.

The Klima HTR external door blank was developed for the Continental European market, but Moralt is keen to develop a similar product for the UK market.

On the Continent, the Klima is made up to 98mm thick, which would probably be reduced to about 50-60mm for the UK.

Alongside the development of speciality products, Moralt is also pushing its CE marking training programme for UK door manufacturers in advance of the introduction of CE EN 14351-1 (external doors and windows) in February 2009. It currently has 1,500 system partnerships with European door manufacturers which allows them to use the CE mark.

Adhering to CE EN 14351-1, Mr Dennard added, provided a strong competitive edge for UK manufacturers.