What Is a Composite Door? A Simple UK Homeowner Guide
Anything ‘composite’ consists of a string of parts or elements and composite doors are the same, featuring various materials, not just UPVC or aluminium. The meshing together of materials is what is a composite door and where it gets its impressive strength and depth from.
Quick Breakdown:
- What is a composite door?
A composite door meaning is an external door that combines multiple materials, giving it enormous strength, as well as weather-resistant qualities (making maintenance easy), in contrast to a traditional single-material door. - What does a composite door consist of?
Normally, it will be composed of a solid timber or high-density foam core, insulating foam, timber, UPVC and a GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic) skin. Affixed to it is a multi-point locking system. - What is its expected lifespan?
If constructed to the highest standards, well fitted and weather-repellent, a lifespan of 25-35 years is achievable.
Whether a composite solution is what you should buy to occupy your home’s entrance depends on what you want. If it happens to be first-class security, thermal efficiency and low maintenance, you’re looking into the right product. UPVC doors are a little cheaper, but the extra investment is worth it for the performance you get.
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Would A Composite Door Suit Your House?
Composite door sales in the UK are strong, and you can understand their customer appeal.
Homeowners crave doors that go beyond just being a functional necessity and desire entryways designed to drive down the cost of energy, amplify security and exhibit flair, whilst being low maintenance.
Replacement doors offering toughness, character and insulation are what everybody aspires to own
What Exactly Is A Composite Door?
A timely reminder that it contains a mix of materials, including a solid core, insulating foam and a weatherproof external skin. That explains its rigidity and exceptional insulating properties.
You mustn’t mistake composite as being something cheap and plastic, as that’s far from the case! What it represents is a quality performing door that surpasses single-material doors in all facets.
What Are Composite Doors Composed Of?
Not one, but a series of high-class materials, which are combined to create a formidably durable, insulating and stylish design.
We’ll go into some of those materials now so that you’re fully informed of what is a composite door made of.
- Solid timber or engineered wood core
the main origin of its strength and acts as a support to the locking mechanism and hardware. - Insulating foam or core material
ignites energy efficiency indoors by preserving warmth and putting a block on draughts. - Glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) outer skin
resists weathering and warping and protects the door finish. - uPVC or composite frame
adds stability, ensures the prevention of water ingress and decreases maintenance. - High-security locks and fittings
a multi-point lock is integrated for dependable security.
Of the different types of doors out there, composite offerings are the one that merge timber or engineered wood, insulating foam, glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), UPVC and premium hardware, yielding tough, secure and weatherproofing designs.
Composite door material has added thickness if you compare it to a UPVC door and its multi-layered composition is why. A thicker frame leads to incredible robustness, security, insulation and resistance.
Can A Composite Door Cut Energy Costs?
Almost certainly, as top-class insulation ranks as one of its most noted qualities. Being multi-layered helps in that regard and with restricting heat loss and the formation of draughts. Cheaper energy and lowered heating usage will transpire because of this. Draught prevention and elevated home comfort also materialises due to a tightly sealed frame.
Ask any estate agent and they’ll tell you that a modern composite front door can add value to a property and make it more appealing to buyers.
The insulated core is fundamental to the energy efficiency levels realised by a composite design. It’s just as central to draught minimisation too, ushering less expensive heating bills and a more comfortable residence, particularly noticeable in winter.
How Secure Is A Composite Door?
You can’t put a price on home security and composite doors are as secure as you’ll find. Burglars will have a nightmare trying to force them open and they’re less liable to suffer wear and tear as they get older.
These are a few of the most significant security features:
- Multi-point locking system
the different locking points engage at several points around the door frame, drastically reducing the possibility of forced entries. - Reinforced cores
a solid or engineered timber core instils strength and minimises the threat of the door being kicked open or dented. - Impact-resistant outer layers
a scratch-resistant glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) skin also prevents any forced entry. - Modern security compliance
PAS 24 requirements and UK safety standards are satisfied by most composites.
While we can’t definitively say that composite doors are impossible to break, you can be supremely confident in a well-fitted and well-made design, containing a multi-point locking system, keeping thieves at bay.
How Long Will A Composite Door Last?
You’d estimate a 25-35 year life expectancy for a composite door when it’s built to modern standards, accurately measured beforehand (discover how to measure a door), and installed in line with the relevant specifications. Our lengthy guarantee offers proof of its long duration.
UPVC doors tend to have a slightly shorter life in comparison at 15-25 years, with timber doors potentially lasting decades. However, maintenance must be kept up repeatedly for a wooden door to continue looking and performing well.
Committing to maintenance also gives a composite door the greatest chance of hitting that 25–35 year mark.
No warping, cracking or fading should materialise because the GRP outer skin and core are more geared to resist each of these issues than wooden or old UPVC doors.
A Round-Up Of Composite Door Benefits
Need to know more about what are composite doors and how they’ll benefit you before buying one? The bulleted points explain:
- Improved home security
the fusion of solid cores and a multi-point lock lower the threat of a successful forced entry. - Stellar insulation
more warmth will be kept indoors once winter comes. - Fewer draughts
cold air won’t get in thanks to tight sealing. - Low maintenance
as opposed to timber doors, you don’t have to bother sanding, staining or repainting. - Weatherproofing
exposure to indifferent weather will not trigger warping, rotting or swelling. - Long lifespan
even with minimal upkeep, the lifespan is lengthy. - Noise reducing
the thick door frame shuts out lots of external noise. - Chic design
gorgeously stylish with an attractive colour hue.
A headline benefit is insulation and the practical elimination of heat loss, causing home interiors to feel much cosier than before. A welcome outcome of this is cheaper heating.
Want To Get A Front Door Organised?
Let’s alert you to what is a composite front door and the advantages of it one more time. Security is an important benefit, as no-one wants to feel at risk at home, and impressive insulation will ensure your house doesn’t get cold. Expect a composite to also revitalise your entrance and give it a new layer of sophistication.
TWC would be happy to help you secure a composite door for your house. One of our design advisors can come out to inspect your current doorway and suggest styles based on what they see. On your instruction, we’ll arrange the fitting too.
Get details of the standard door size ahead of ordering.
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