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Understanding Composite Doors
When it comes to choosing the right door for your home, there are various options available in the market. One such popular choice is a composite door. But what exactly is a composite door?
In this expert guide, we will delve into the world of composite doors, exploring their construction, benefits, and why they have become a preferred choice for many homeowners.
What is a Composite Door?
A composite door is a type of door constructed from a combination of different materials. Unlike traditional wooden doors, which are made entirely of wood, composite doors are crafted using a blend of materials such as wood, uPVC, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), and insulating foam core.
This unique combination results in a door that combines the best properties of each material, offering exceptional durability, security, and energy efficiency.
How Are Composite Doors Made?
The manufacturing process of a composite door involves carefully layering and bonding different materials together. The inner core is typically made of high-density foam, known for its excellent insulating properties.
This foam core is then encased in a layer of glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), providing strength and resistance to weathering. Finally, the outer frame is reinforced with uPVC, which adds further durability and stability to the door.
Some installers, such as UK Composite Doors, opt for a solid timber core on some composite doors, as this makes the doors stronger and more reinforced, with foam cores being more energy efficient.
Advantages of Choosing a Composite Door
When choosing if you’d like a composite door installed in your home, you should consider what benefits they can bring to it to really know if they are worth the price you pay.
Understanding these will help you come to a decision much easier, so here we will go through some of the advantages composite doors have:
Exceptional Durability
Composite doors are renowned for their longevity. The combination of materials used in their construction makes them highly resistant to wear and tear, ensuring they can withstand harsh weather conditions without deteriorating.
Unlike other door materials, such as uPVC and wood, composite doors are known to be heavily resistant to warping and expanding in warmer temperatures. This means that your door would misshape and wouldn’t be able to retain heat as well, in addition to potentially letting draughts in.
Enhanced Security
Security is a paramount concern for homeowners. Composite doors offer a high level of security due to their robust construction. The multiple layers of materials make it extremely difficult for intruders to break through.
Also, almost all composite doors will come equipped with anti-snap locking systems that make it even harder for anyone to break in or intrude.
Energy Efficiency
The insulating foam core in composite doors acts as an excellent thermal barrier, preventing heat from escaping your home during the colder months. This can lead to significant energy savings and reduced heating bills.
On top of this, a composite door’s durability will mean that it can remain energy efficient for a long time, so your savings over time will continue to add up.
Low Maintenance
Unlike wooden doors that require regular painting and varnishing, composite doors are virtually maintenance-free. A simple wipe-down with a damp cloth is usually all that's needed to keep them looking as good as new.
This is also due to the fact that composite doors don’t chip or misshape like other door materials, so they don’t need regular repair or replacement.
Aesthetic Versatility
Composite doors come in a wide range of styles, colours, and finishes, allowing homeowners to choose a door that complements the aesthetic of their property. Whether you prefer a traditional or modern look, there's a composite door to suit every taste.
Disadvantages of Choosing a Composite Door
Whilst most features related to composite doors are advantages, there can be some downsides to composite doors. Here, we will go through some of the potential disadvantages that might come with getting a composite door:
Cost
A disadvantage of composite doors can be that the price is slightly higher compared to other front doors, like uPVC. If you are on a budget, then this could mean that a composite door’s initial cost isn’t the most cost-effective.
However, the long-term savings that composite doors give you could actually mean that you save money when compared to other types of doors. Due to the longevity composite doors have, lasting over 30-35 years, they will be a worthwhile investment for your home.
In addition to this, the low maintenance they have means you won’t have to worry about paying for them to be looked after or serviced. It also means there will hardly be any repair or replacement costs for your composite front doors.
Composite Door Cost
You might now be curious as to what the average cost of composite doors is when compared to other types of doors, as well as what can affect composite door prices.
On average, composite door cost is usually between £850 and £1,500, based on what kind of additions you make to your doors and if you get the fully fitted or just supply-only. Compared to other door materials, like uPVC, they are a bit more on the expensive side but have long-term cost benefits that make their installation very much worth it.
If you were to add optional extras to your new composite door, including door knockers, letterboxes and spy holes, then this would likely increase the overall cost of your composite front door.
Another factor impacting the price of composite doors is their size, as larger composite doors will require more materials and labour to produce, uplifting the cost. This means smaller-sized composite doors will be a more budgeted option for your home.
Here is the average cost of composite doors compared to uPVC and wooden doors:
Is a Composite Door the Right Choice for You?
Choosing the right door for your home is a significant decision. If you value durability, security, energy efficiency, and low maintenance, then a composite door could be the perfect choice for you. Its unique construction and array of benefits make it a standout option in the world of doors.
Composite Doors for Your Home
In conclusion, a composite door offers a blend of durability, security, and energy efficiency that is hard to match with other types of doors. Its innovative construction using a combination of materials makes it a superior choice for homeowners seeking a long-lasting and reliable entryway.
So, if you're in the market for a new door that ticks all the boxes, consider investing in a composite door. It's a decision that will not only enhance the aesthetics of your home but also provide peace of mind, knowing you have a door that is built to last.
