Comments on Composite Doors

Composite door blogs written by the manufacturers of front doors can seem biased. This is why we have invited a former customer to write a blog post for us.

"My wooden front door had been sticking for years. We didn't replace it when it first started to because we couldn't afford the cost of a new front door when we didn't really need to - the door was still functional, despite the inconvenience. We did keep checking our options, just in case, but the only kind of front door we could just about afford was a wood-style uPVC front door from an online retailer. Unfortunately for us, when we checked it out in the flesh, so to speak, it just wasn't realistic enough to have suited our property, which has wooden windows and a distinct appearance.
Last winter, the sticking got so bad that we were forced to buy a new front door. After searching around for the best price, we stumbled across composite doors. They were a little cheaper than the cheapest, most basic wooden door that we had found that we could both afford, and that would suit our property. The long list of benefits on the website astounded us! After our experience with uPVC fake wooden doors, we took the effort to go and view a door to make sure it was realistic enough to look OK. We were pleasantly surprised, the composite door even felt like a wooden door to open and close because of the way it had been weighted. Appearance-wise, it was realistic enough at a distance that it would not look odd on our house, and anyone who saw it would probably think it was wooden. Up close, you can tell it is not wooden, but only from minor signs, like the surface of the door has a slight sheen to it that gives away the fact. Also, you can tell by the fact the door is a little too perfect - every wooden door we have seen has some sort of 'quirk'. While initially we missed the the character of wood, we quickly became aware of the benefits. As it was winter, we noticed the difference in the temperature of our front room immediately. Before, we had a thick curtain across the door and a draught excluder along the bottom, but it was still a bit draughty. With the new front door, we didn't need any of that and it has made such a difference to the overall temperature and comfort of the room.
We've had the composite door for nearly a year now and are very pleased to report that there seem to be no changes to the door with the seasons - something we had gotten used to with wood. Overall, we (and our visitors!) are very impressed with the door and happy with our choice - we take every opportunity to recommend composite doors when we come across a less than average door!"

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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 Doors in Modern Homes

Composite doors are suitable in any home, especially modern homes and new builds. The smart, attractive appearance of the door adds warmth and elegance. There are many options to choose from with a composite door. You could choose from seven colours, a host of different designs and, if you choose a glazed door, many different attractive glass designs. With all the different style options available, you can really add personality to your entrance.

The benefits of having a composite front door go beyond appearance and style. Composite doors are renowned for their superior quality, longevity and function. The front doors have thermal cores which make them up to six times more energy efficient. To add to this efficiency, there is the fact that the doors do not shrink or expand with heat changes, so the door will remain flush inside the frame - preventing draughty gaps from forming and the door from sticking.
There are also many security benefits. The tough skin of the door is stronger than most other front doors, resisting damage and cracks. Composite doors come with multi-point locks as standard, holding the door in to the frame in multiple places, ensuring that your home remains secure.

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.

Composite Door Style

Composite doors come in seven designs. Almost all of these designs have several variations of glazing and panels, for you to choose the level of privacy and light allowance that suits you and your home. Further customizations can be made by choosing from a large range of door glass designs. These glasses come in simple designs or more intricate stylish designs. If you choose a door with a large central window, you may prefer to choose a backing of obscure glass to give you more privacy. Again, there are a number of options to choose from - each one providing a different look and a different level of privacy.

Make sure you choose a door shop that offers you a full range of options, so you can get the door that suits your needs perfectly.

What are composite doors?
Composite door security

What are Composite Doors?

For those of you not in the industry, the key question you probably have whenever you see or hear a composite door mentioned is what actually is a composite door?

Basically, a composite door is a door made from a combination of different materials instead of a singular material, such as wood or uPVC. The materials remain separate in the finished door and are chosen for their qualities. Being able to combine several different materials with beneficial properties results in the ability to create a door superior to doors of the past. The flaws of wooden and uPVC doors are taken in to consideration and improved upon in this modern door.

Composite doors are used in entrances of homes, both as front doors and back doors.