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Smart Comes With Age
A new offering from Universal Trade Frames is offering something distinctly different. It is a timber-alternative front door that incorporates a traditional joinery look and smart technology.
It is the first of its kind to combine the detailing of The Residence Collection with ‘HeritageWeld’ fabrication and Yale SensCheck smart tech.
It definitely turned heads at the FIT Show.
Fitting in at FIT
“We had a fantastic show,” says Richard Hammond, the sales director at Universal Trade Frames. “This wasn’t just another door, it was a genuine industry first. We brought together The Residence Collection’s styling, our own HeritageWeld finish and the Yale SensCheck locking system. That kind of innovation gets people talking.
“Now, a few months on, that interest is starting to turn into real enquiries. Installers are seeing the appeal, from design flexibility to added security. It is a way to stand out from the usual composite door offering.”
Windows security too
Yale SensCheck isn’t just limited to the door. It is also available across The Residence Collection window range from Universal Trade Frames, offering homeowners a fully integrated smart home solution and giving installers another powerful reason to sell the full suite.
Where classic detailing meets modern expectations
The new open-in timber-alternative door is designed to work with all three Residence systems, Residence 9, Residence 7 and Residence 2.
With detailing that replicates engineered timber, it features a large mid-rail, optional stackable deep bottom rail and a patented decorative panel trim that conceals the gasket line for an authentic look.
All sizes
Critically, size flexibility is where the product shines. “Composite doors are still limited by slab sizes,” explains Hammond. “You’re typically capped at around 2100mm in height. However, with this system, we can go up to 2300mm and beyond.”
At the Fit Show, the Residence stand showcased a door at full height. The message? These aren’t generic door sets, they’re customisable, engineered pieces that allow fabricators and installers to offer something more bespoke.
With French door and glazed formats available, plus full PAS24 compliance and optional low thresholds for Part M projects, the versatility is clear. Add in a wide range of colours and finishes and the door becomes a platform, not a constraint.
Smarter doors, stronger story
One of the most powerful elements in Universal’s offer is Yale SensCheck, a smart sensor system that tracks door status in real time. Homeowners can see open, closed and locked positions directly from the Yale Smart Living App, with integration into Alexa and Google Assistant.
“It’s a fantastic upsell,” says Hammond. “Installers can say: ‘Here’s a heritage-style door that looks incredible and by the way, it’s also smart.’ That’s a compelling conversation.”
SensCheck also carries Secured by Design’s ‘Secure Connected Device’ status, recognising its compliance with both physical and cyber security standards. For end-users, that kind of certification matters. For installers, it adds gravitas to the sale.
Investment
Behind the scenes, Universal has made major investments to back this innovation. A six-figure outlay in a Haffner MAC 345 CNC machining centre and custom tooling has allowed for precision detailing, including a 0.2mm back chamfer on the outer frame, far tighter than the 0.5mm most of the industry accepts as standard.
HeritageWeld technology plays a starring role, too. By using a 90° welded butt joint, the door maintains the visual cues of timber joinery while offering welded strength and PAS24-certified performance. Combined with Yale multi-point locking and the Ultion ALPS 3-Star cylinder, it’s tested against snapping, bumping, drilling and even twist attacks.
Picture: It you are looking for traditional looks but also high and smart security, you may find UTF has the answer for both residential doors and windows via its partnership with The Residence Collection.
Article written by Cathryn Ellis
16th October 2025