The True Cost of Front Doors

Composite doors are not the cheapest doors on the market. They are often marketed as being the best value for money, this is not a lie however. When you are making any large purchase, you should consider the real value of what you are buying. You may have heard of the term 'false economy'. This is a common occurrence - you buy something that is cheap and it lasts barely any time at all or has significant faults, making it more expensive to sort out or replace than if you had just spent a bit more and gotten something of quality in the first place.
So what factors should you consider when it comes to front doors?

1. Lifespan - this is probably the most obvious consideration when it comes to deciding the true value. If the more expensive door has a considerably longer lifespan than the cheaper door, it is probably a better investment and overall better value.
2. Hardware - it is important to check the quality of the hinges, locks and other hardware components. Cheap hardware can not only lead to problems with the functioning of the door and require replacements, but if the hardware breaks it can sometimes cause damage to the door itself.
3. Energy efficiency - an external door with low energy efficiency can cause your energy bills to be significantly higher. It is important to get a front door that will not be affected by heat changes. Cheap doors will often warp, shrink or expand which cause gaps that let the heat out.
4. Maintenance - All front doors require maintaining throughout their lifespan to ensure they stay operating at their best. Some doors, like composite doors, require just an oiling to the hinges. This works out to be relatively cheap. Other doors, such as wooden doors, require the hinges to be oiled also, but for the surface to be sanded and repainted or varnished periodically. uPVC doors require a special cleaner to ensure the surface remains clean.

Composite Front Doors - Glass Reinforced Plastic

As the name suggests, composite doors are made from a variety of materials. uPVC and wooden frames are skinned with a composite material known as glass reinforced plastic (GRP) and then filled with a strong, thermal core.
GRP is a plastic which has been bonded with fibres of glass to create a composite material that is strong and durable but also lightweight. The addition of glass phases out the usual issues that occur when using plastic.
You may have noticed that cheap uPVC doors are prone to discolouring over time. Coloured uPVC doors will also fade if they are in an area where they are exposed to high levels of UV light. They are difficult to clean, sometimes requiring special chemical cleaners to remove stains, most of which will usually be too ingrained to remove in any way. These problems are not applicable to composite doors, due to the GRP skin. They are protected from UV light, so they won't fade or discolour. The finish is long-lasting and low-maintenance, so you won't have to worry about it. The front door is so easy to clean that you can just use a cloth to wipe it down if it shows any sign of dirt. Because the wooden frame is encased within the door, the door will not rot as doors made entirely from wood would.

In addition to the aesthetic benefits of glass reinforced plastic, the strength also means a very good level of security. Composite doors have been tested over and over and it has been found that they provide a much, much higher level of security than any of the standard doors on the market. If you dislike the appearance of metal-enforced doors but need the protection, consider buying a composite door. It has been known that persistent burglars are more likely to give up than gain access to a composite door.