Many people who upgrade their home with a door replacement choose composite doors. Why? Because composite doors are one of the most secure, customisable and long-lasting doors around, helping homeowners meet their desired aesthetics and get a great return on investment.
Made from multiple materials, composite doors are in popular demand, and as expert installers, Haus Installations is here to answer – what composite doors are, the materials that they’re made from and the benefits they can provide your home.
What Exactly Is a Composite Door?
A composite door is one that’s made from more than one material, and refers to a front or back door that’s been designed with improved strength and performance. While several types of doors can be made up of multiple materials, a composite door is a specific type that overcomes common issues like warping, cracking and fading.
Homeowners love to choose composite doors because they’re incredibly durable, thanks to the strong materials used and manufacturing process, and they require very little maintenance.
What Are Composite Doors Made Of?
So, what are composite doors made of to make them so unique, long-lasting and popular?
The multiple materials that make up composite doors include:
Timber core:
The very core and frame of a composite door is made from premium timber that provides strength, which is then added with a layer of CFC-free polyurethane foam, further amplifying the natural insulation of the timber.
GRP lamination:
For the outer skin, glass reinforced plastic (GRP, also called fibreglass) is used as it’s highly weather resistant and can match the desired texture and grains of wood.
uPVC reinforced frame:
Where the composite door sits and closes upon is made from uPVC, often with galvanised steel reinforcement.
Additional foam layers:
Typically, additional layers of polyurethane foam will be used to further provide thermal insulation, soundproofing, weather protection and durability.
How Are Composite Doors Built?
The manufacturing process for composite doors involves several key steps to ensure their benefits last their whole lifecycle.
Manufacturing begins with the inner frame and core being built from engineered timber. This is then filled with a layer of foam to enhance insulation.
The GRP outer skins are then vacuum-formed and pressed onto the timber and foam core, adding superior strength, impact resistance and weatherproofing. The GRP also offers a natural wood-grain finish, helping the door mimic the natural aesthetics of wood while adding reinforcement and thermal efficiency.
All these layers are bonded together using high pressure machines, and then cured to prevent delamination or other defects. Additional finishing can be added with uPVC or aluminium, and all areas for locks, glazing and handles will be created using CNC machinery.
The final step is handing the door in a uPVC, multi-chambered outer frame that’s reinforced using galvanised steel.
Manufacturing composite doors using these materials and methods ensure the doors maintain their shape and resist wear, weathering, fading and structural issues over time.
Benefits Of Composite Doors
Durability
With multiple layers protecting the timber core and frame, composite doors are highly resistant to warping, cracking, fading and damage from adverse weather. Compared to doors made from a single material, composite doors can last over 30 years with proper care, making the slightly more expensive investment definitely worth it in the long run.
Security
People herald composite doors as one of the most secure, damage-resistent options out there. The solid core construction adds fantastic strength, and the multi-layered design further helps protect against forced entry. They can also be integrated with multi-point locking systems and have added steel-reinforced frames to further improve security.
Energy Efficiency
Composite doors are A-rated for their thermal efficiency, helping your home have comfortable temperatures and reducing your energy bills. The insulated core will retain heat during the colder months and stop heat entering your home during the summer. If you’re looking for more stable temperatures throughout your home, a composite door is the ideal choice.
Styles, Colours and Design Options
One of the biggest benefits of composite doors is the level of custom options homeowners can choose from. Composite doors can be designed and styled to suit both modern and traditional homes, thanks to multiple options for colours, glazing and finishes. The wood-grain effect especially can be tailored to perfectly suit heritage properties.
Composite doors can be designed with single or double frames, as well as have features like side and top lights, external and inner colours, stunning glass options, choice of handling and you can customise hardware, locks and opening styles.
It’s safe to say that if you’re looking for a door replacement that’s truly your own and unique to your home, composite doors are the right choice.
How Composite Doors Compare to Other Door Types
It’s important to compare composite doors with other worthwhile options for your home improvement. Perhaps two of the most popular alternatives include uPVC and timber doors.
uPVC doors are lighter and simpler to construct from the singular material unplasticised polyvinyl chloride, a durable and low-maintenance material that is also one of the materials used for composite doors. While very low maintenance and daily durable, with a lifecycle of around 20 years, uPVC doors are susceptible to yellowing and discolouration. In terms of energy efficiency, uPVC is great at controlling temperatures just like composite doors. uPVC doors are often chosen because of their relatively cheaper price points, while still offering good thermal efficiency and durability, but options for customisation are limited.
Wooden doors are often chosen for more traditional and heritage homes. While they look great and offer great strength, the maintenance requirements play a big factor, as they’ll require frequent cleaning, re-painting and sealing every few months, depending on condition.
We have a handy guide on composite doors vs uPVC doors to help you make an informed decision.
Are Composite Doors Worth It?
Composite doors are a great choice for homeowners looking for a long-lasting, energy-efficient, secure and bespoke replacement. While the upfront price will be higher than alternatives, the return on investment will be very positive. Plus, benefit from a low-maintenance door that enhances your home’s kerb appeal if the time ever comes to sell and relocate.
Haus Installations installs bespoke composite doors for homes in Worcestershire and the Midlands. You can get a free, no-pressure quote on a composite door replacement by contacting our team.
