What are composite doors?

We all know what wooden doors and uPVC doors are. But how many of us know what a composite door is? I’m sure many of us could make a good guess, but how right would it be?

In the world of front doors, composite doors are very new. uPVC doors have been around for the last 25 years or so, and wooden doors have probably been around as long as the concept of front doors. With this in mind, it’s no wonder that nobody really knows much about them. uPVC doors have become somewhat of a standard to most homes, thanks to their cheap price tag and the fact they are easily available. Wooden doors still exist in many homes, but are seen as quite the luxury. Walking around the town I live in, I see about 2 wooden front doors to every 30 uPVC front doors. It is really quite amazing to see so many uPVC panel doors when they are such a big vulnerability to the security of a property. Is it that people are uninformed about the potential security risks, or do they just not see it as a priority?

Back on to the topic of the post, what actually are composite doors? To start with, I’d like to redirect you to an article on The Composite Door Shop – “What is a Composite Door?“
This article covers the basics of composite doors. As the name suggests, composite doors are made up from a variety of materials. This may not seem like a big deal to most – doors tend to be made up from different parts – wooden or uPVC panels, metal hardware, glazing.. However, each part of the door is made up from a different material where necessary. For example, using wood for the bulk of the door face can cause issues such as warping or bowing as the door is subjected to seasonal changes. This even happens with uPVC. The designers of composite doors have taken in to consideration this rather large and common problem and have found a solution – by using a plastic that has been reinforced with glass (aka GRP – Glass Reinforced Plastic), you can create a door that won’t buckle under seasonal heat changes.

There are many other improvements a GRP skin can provide, for example wooden doors need maintaining in the form of sanding and painting or treating with a stain to reduce the likelihood of rot occurring. uPVC doors don’t require the same maintenance, but to prolong the brightness of your front door it is advised you use a special cleaner. Even with the special cleaner, uPVC doors tend to go a horrible musty colour. The GRP skin can be effectively coloured and styled (most often, composite doors are given a wood grain skin that is very accurate), but does not need maintaining and will not fade or discolour. You don’t need any fancy cleaners – you can just grab a sponge from your cleaning cupboard and wash it down with water if it gets a bit dirty.

Front Doors for Homes

Front doors for homes come in many, many choices. For those wanting something perfect, bespoke doors are the best way to go. You can have your door made to suit your home. This eliminates the need for after-purchase alterations such as shaving off the top or bottom. Having the perfect fit door will improve your homes insulation and save you money on your heating bill. To keep your door the perfect fit, it is best to opt for composite doors, as wooden and upvc doors will react to seasonal temperature changes – warping or bending to cause gaps which allow draughts in and heat out.

There are many new front door designs to choose from. You can choose from standard designs to more intricate or even more minimalist designs. There really is a whole lot of choice on the market today. Of course it’s not all about looks. With doors providing access to your home and protecting your family and belongings, it is important to have a secure door that functions well. You may have other requirements which are more specific to your situation. Perhaps you need a low threshold, suitable for buggies and wheelchairs and also less of a risk to children and the elderly. Maybe you require extra security, such as a spy glass or laminated glass. Whatever you need, there is a door on the market to meet your expectations.

Front Door Mats

I thought I’d write about something a bit different.
You’ve gotten your perfect new front door, but there’s something missing..

What about a new doormat to complement your new door?

For humorous doormats I liked these:

Or you can go for something more.. stylish:

Or, if you would prefer a cast iron door mat for outside your front door, ideal for scraping muddy boots and shoes on, there are many designs from basic to ornate:

Both Coir and Cast Iron door mats are widely available on the internet. Don’t settle for a plain door mat, be adventurous and choose something a bit different!
Whatever you choose, it is sure to brighten up your entrance way and keep your home smart and mud-free.

Front Door Security – Secured by Design

In previous posts I have written about the importance of considering your security options. In this post, I am going to write about the reassurance you get by buying a front door endorsed by a good security scheme.

Can you really trust the boasts of the person trying to sell you the door? More often than not, front doors are put through the minimum amount of testing required by law and then left at that. Trustworthy third-party schemes, like the non-profit UK initiative ‘Secured by Design’, can offer reassurance by providing impartial testing and certification. Crime prevention schemes that test home security products will always perform more thorough tests than most standard security tests.

Secured by Design is the perfect example of one of these schemes. It aims to phase out vulnerabilities in security by ‘designing out crime’ during the planning and construction stages. Doors which pass its vigorous testing are given the Secured by Design logo to highlight that it has a ‘Police Preferred Specification’. The scheme hopes that by doing this, it will set a new security standard amongst the door industry.

Front Door Security Guides

Composite Front Doors & Security
#1 – The Front Door
#2 – Hinges
#3 – Glass & Glazing

Secured by Design Doors