Apart from adding curb appeal to your home, your front door has a number of purposes from security, insulation and convenience – and that’s why choosing the right one is so important. Aesthetically, a front door should create a positive first impression of your home, revealing something about your personality and taste whilst providing visitors with a warm welcome. But crucially it should also be a sign to burglars that your home is secure. Exterior design trends continue to evolve but composite doors and uPVC doors have remained the most popular materials for front doors for decades. Let’s take a look at exactly what they are, what makes them different, and which one is right for your home.
What is a composite door?
The composite door burst on to the scene in the late 1990s. They are made from a number of different materials that are expertly combined under high pressure to bring higher standards of performance and design. They usually feature a steel frame with a timber core and insulated foam layer, which is glued together and encased in Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP). As they are manufactured under high-pressure conditions, composite doors are incredibly strong and secure, whilst being resistant to extreme weather conditions. Their popularity also arises from their ability to capture the look of a traditional wooden door without the downsides of rotting, warping or cracking over time.
What is a uPVC door?
uPVC (un-plasticised Poly Vinyl Chloride) doors became popular in the 1980s and remain so, despite the arrival of their more advanced sibling. A uPVC door is made from an insulated frame sealed in plastic, making them strong, durable, versatile and thermally-efficient.
Is there any price difference?
There’s no question that composite doors are more expensive than their uPVC equivalent – sometimes by as much as 60%. The reason for this price difference is the fact that they are manufactured in a much more sophisticated manner, requiring materials and techniques that are more costly. uPVC products have long been known for their budget-friendly appeal due to lower manufacturing costs, making them a great option for homeowners who are seeking a replacement door on a budget. Both composite and uPVC offer excellent value for money when it comes to both security and energy efficiency.
Which is most secure?
Typically, composite doors are known for their superior security. But don’t be fooled into thinking that just because uPVC doors are a bit cheaper they are not secure, because they are! This is thanks to their strong outer framed multi-point locks, which combine to create an extremely strong entrance door. One of the main reasons composite doors have a reputation for security is their thickness – sometimes up to twice as thick as uPVC – as well as their glass-reinforced plastic core. For added security, Carera Windows offers innovative smart technology safety systems on ALL of its doors, thanks to a new partnership with world-famous security company Yale. Yale’s groundbreaking SensCheck sensor has been designed to discreetly integrate within a frame to detect when it is open, locked or in a closed position – sending an alert directly to an alarm system if it is tampered with. The SensCheck system also sends geo-fencing reminders to customers in the case of a door or window being left open when they leave home, while customers can fully arm or part-arm their homes and control the system with leading voice assistants including Alexa or Google Assistant.
Which has the longest lifespan out of composite and uPVC?
You can expect a composite door to last between 30-35 years, with the life expectancy of a uPVC door tending to be around 20-25 years. These figures are largely based on the assumption that sufficient maintenance will be kept up throughout and of course there is potential for both doors to last longer.
Are they easy to maintain?
There is no difference in the maintenance required for a composite or uPVC door. Frequent wipe downs of the door and frames with a damp cloth is all that is required to keep them clean, avoid discolouration and limit any damage.
Can the doors be customised?
While uPVC doors are by no means one dimensional in their potential for exterior looks, they are naturally more limited because of their singular material-based design. And they do have a slightly plastic-sheen finish to them, compared to the authentic-looking timber appearance that can be achieved from composite doors. In terms of colours, there are fewer shades available than there are for composite doors, but the range is still extensive. And when it comes to door “furniture” such as handles, letterboxes, glazing and knockers, there’s absolutely no difference. Simply choose from the vast range available to select a style that is most suited to your home and tastes.
Which is the most thermal-efficient?
Both composite doors and uPVC doors boast fantastic energy-efficient designs, with either able to achieve up to an A+ rating and low U-value. Both will help to reduce the amount you spend on heating by preventing draughts finding their way in, however the multi-material, thicker design of a composite door generally gives it an overall superiority when it comes to thermal efficiency.
In summary: Composite doors Vs uPVC
It’s important to weigh up all of the factors when it comes to selecting the right material for your front door. Realistically, composite and uPVC both provide low-maintenance, highly secure and thermally-efficient options for the gateway to your home.
uPVC – Significantly lower in price than a composite counterpart, offering a stylish, secure and affordable finish to your home.
Composite – Aesthetically superior due to being virtually indistinguishable from timber without the cons of real wood, boasting the same functionality as uPVC but to a higher standard, resulting in a higher price point.
As with every home improvement project, choosing the right front door for you, your home, needs and budget, requires careful thought and consideration.
For help and advice about which one is right for you, get in touch with our expert team on 01384 442490 or email sales@carerawindows.co.uk
