Composite Doors: Advantages and Disadvantages

Choosing the right door for your home is an important decision that doesn’t only affect how your home looks but also its security and energy efficiency. Composite doors are a popular choice for both modern and traditional homes and in this article, we’ve taken a look at the pros and cons to help you decide if a composite door is the right choice for you.

Advantages of Composite Doors

1. Customisable: One advantage of a composite door is the high level of customisation available. Using our door designer, homeowners can choose from a variety of composite door styles, colours, glazing options, and hardware options to complement their home. Whether you prefer a classic composite door, cottage style composite door, a contemporary composite door or a designer composite door, at Hurst, we have options to suit every taste. We also offer a wide range of hardware choices, including different handles, letterplates, and knockers, to ensure your door perfectly meets your vision.
2. Low Maintenance: Composite doors are low maintenance. A quick wipe down with a damp cloth and warm soapy water every so often is usually all that’s needed to keep them looking their best. The outer skin of our composite doors is made from GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic), which offers exceptional durability and will help your composite door maintain its appearance against everyday knocks and scratches. For busy homeowners and property owners, the minimal upkeep of composite doors is a significant benefit.
3. Thermally Efficient: Composite doors offer excellent thermal efficiency, keeping your home warm in winter and cool in summer. An energy-efficient front door can help reduce heat loss, lower your energy bills, and make your home more environmentally friendly. In addition, with such excellent insulation properties, our composite doors will keep outside noise to a minimum. This makes composite doors ideal for homeowners and property owners looking to improve the energy efficiency of their property.
4. Long Lifespan: Investing in a composite door is a long-term decision, as they are built to last. But how long do composite doors last? Hurst composite doors are made to the highest quality and can easily have a lifespan of 30 years or more, if they are maintained. They are incredibly robust and weatherproof, resisting wear and tear from daily use as well as harsh weather conditions. This durability ensures that your initial investment provides value over many years and withstands the test of time.
5. Safe and Secure: Security is a top priority for homeowners, and composite doors are known for offering excellent protection. The combination of materials, including a rigid polymer subframe and high-security locking mechanism, makes composite doors difficult to break through. Our composite doors come with Kubu Equipped Door Locks as standard, which further enhances their strength. Our composite doors also meet industry’s PAS 24 security standards, are Q-marked for enhanced security, and can meet the requirements of Secured by Design, a police initiative backed by the Home Office Crime Prevention Unit. This gives you peace of mind that your home is safe from potential intruders.
6. Manufactured to High Standards: Our composite doors are manufactured to the highest standards. They are CE marked and fully accredited to meet the criteria of BS:EN 6375, PAS 24:2022 for weather and security performance certification. The requirements for these accreditations ensures that each of our doors meets rigorous performance and safety specifications. All our composite doors undergo strict quality control to ensure that they meet homeowner’s expectations.

Disadvantages of Composite Doors

1. Can Be More Expensive Than uPVC Doors: One possible drawback of composite doors can be the price. They are generally more expensive than uPVC doors, which can be a consideration if you’re working within a strict budget. However, it’s important to view this cost as an investment in your home. The durability, security, and energy efficiency of composite doors often offset the higher upfront cost. Over time, the savings on energy bills and reduced maintenance costs can help to balance the initial expense. For homeowners who value quality and long-term performance, the additional cost of a composite door is often well justified.
   
2. Occasional Creaking: Another potential drawback of composite doors is occasional creaking. This rare issue can sometimes happen when the door expands and contracts due to significant temperature changes, particularly in extreme and unusual weather conditions. The materials used in composite doors, while highly durable, can occasionally create noises as they react to fluctuations in heat, however this creaking is generally harmless and doesn’t affect the overall performance of the door. To minimise this problem, ensure that your door is properly fitted by a professional installer.

Conclusion

Composite doors offer a wide range of benefits, from customisation and low maintenance to exceptional security and thermal efficiency. Their long lifespan makes them a top choice for homeowners across the UK.

If you’re considering a composite door for your property, Hurst Doors offers a diverse range of styles and design options, all manufactured to the highest standards. With the right choice, you’ll enjoy a beautiful and practical door that enhances your property for years to come. Find your local Hurst door installer and design your dream door.