As they use the latest advancements in technology and durable materials, composite doors are a popular choice when it comes to taking care of your property and keeping your home safe. There are many benefits of composite doors from the appearance to security and energy efficiency.
Composite doors are made from a foam core, (acting as an insulator), which is encased in a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) exterior. Wood, uPVC and other materials can be used in their construction to offer consumers a variety of front door styles to suit their preferences.
Features of composite doors
Composite doors are designed to be long-lasting and durable, as they are tough, strong and very difficult to breach. In their design, they can mimic the appearance of an authentic timber door and can come in a selection of colours and finishes.
Their robust construction includes more advanced locking features, making composite doors highly resistant to forced entries. This makes them very popular with homeowners across the country, as they offer complete peace of mind and security.
Composite doors are also a common choice because they are resistant to all kinds of extreme weather conditions, without swelling, warping, fading or cracking. They are cost-effective and take very little time and money to maintain. In this article, we’ll delve a little deeper into the many benefits of composite doors, and why they are such a common choice with property owners.
What are composite doors made from?
Because composite doors need to be tough and durable, the materials used to construct them are carefully chosen for high and long-lasting performance. The exact composition can vary based on the manufacturer, but generally speaking, composite doors are made of the following:
- uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) – a rigid plastic that forms the inner frame of the door. This helps to trap heat in, improve energy efficiency and maintain strength against forced entry.
- Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) – a composite door’s outer layer is typically made from GRP, which is a weather-proof and extremely tough material. GRP is highly resistant to warping, fading from sunlight, bending, scratches and scuffs, making it ideal for external doors. You can buy GRP in a range of colours and finishes, which provides homeowners with plenty of door styles that can match their home architecture.
- Wood – this is to give the door a more natural and aesthetic appearance, and to give it a solid structure. Some manufacturers include a wooden core into the door’s design to make it even tougher.
- Insulating foam – this is injected between the inner and outer layers of the door to give it good thermal insulation, which helps to keep your home cooler in summer and warmer in winter, and also provides good soundproofing.
- Good quality hardware – multipoint locking systems, hinges, handles and letterboxes are all enhanced in quality on composite doors to ensure security and functionality.
Why choose a composite door?
There are many benefits to composite doors that make them a great investment for homeowners seeking high-performance and durable doors that also enhance the aesthetic of their home. Let’s look at some of these benefits below:
1. They’re strong and durable
Composite doors are designed and constructed to be much stronger than your average door. Because they’re made from materials like uPVC, wood and GRP, they are resistant to forced entries, cracking, fading from sunlight, harsh weather, warping and so on. They are designed to last for decades to come, with little maintenance.
2. Increased security
Everyone wants the peace of mind that their home is safe and secure, and that their front door is strong and unable to be breached. Composite doors are designed for the highest level of security.
Their advanced locking mechanisms make them highly resistant to forced entry. The use of GRP in their construction also gives them extra protection, which makes it even more difficult for intruders to overcome them.
3. Energy efficiency
As energy costs have risen recently, homeowners are looking for new ways to save money and energy by improving their home’s insulation. Composite doors are a great option for energy efficiency.
The combined uPVC frame and insulating foam stop heat from passing through the door, reducing energy consumption and keeping temperatures warm inside. This can mean that households spend less money on heating bills as the door maintains a comfortable temperature inside the home.
4. Easy to maintain
Regular exterior doors may need to be treated, painted, stained or varnished regularly. Because composite doors are made of GRP and uPVC, they don’t require this type of maintenance, which saves time and money.
To keep composite doors in good condition, all you need to do from time to time is wipe them down with a damp and slightly soapy cloth to keep them clean. As they don’t warp or crack, taking care of them is simple.
5. Bespoke designs
Composite doors come in a huge range of designs, finishes and colours, so that you can find one that suits your house style. You can purchase composite doors that are replicas of traditional wooden doors, or have a more modern style that fits in with a contemporary design.
When purchasing your composite door, you can choose from a wide range of panel designs, colours, decorative elements, glazing options and more to create a unique door that is a welcoming addition to your home. You can even customise the hardware to suit your preferences, like black, white, chrome or silver handles and knockers.
6. Soundproofing
Because composite doors provide such good insulation, they’re also brilliant at providing good quality soundproofing (by reducing road and other environmental noise). This makes your home a calmer and more peaceful place to live, which can have many benefits on health and mental health.
7. Weatherproofing
Because they are more durable, composite doors are more effective against the elements than your average door. They can protect against draughts in extreme wind, cold in winter, and sun in summer. They won’t fade from UV light, or have issues with water damage, frost or snow in colder months.