A comprehensive guide to picking your new front door

 

Is your house in need of an uplift? or does your front door no longer serve its primary purpose (opening and closing)?

Whatever the need for a new door, our comprehensive guide will enlighten you to the strengths and weaknesses of the types of door used on modern homes in the UK, along with how we can help you on your journey to find the perfect door for your home style and budget.

What should I look for when buying a composite door?

When shopping for a composite door, it's essential to consider how it will complement the style of your home. Whether you're looking to improve security and energy efficiency, composite doors offer exceptional and certified security, as well as impressive thermal performance. Furthermore, a composite door can give your home a great first impression.

At UPVC Warehouse, our experienced team can help you choose the perfect composite door to meet your needs. Our range of composite door colours includes popular choices such as black, anthracite grey and chartwell green composite doors along with many other options, we have a huge variety of colours to choose from including custom colours (using RAL colour codes).

Our central England location means that you can find composite doors nearby with our service, and delivery across much of the UK. With a wide range of composite door prices, you can find the perfect door to fit for your budget. Additionally, we are able to offer UPVC doors, composite door and side panels, composite door and top lights all put together for quality and convenience. With our assistance, you can be sure to find the best composite door for your home.

It's important to consider that composite doors are made of two or more different materials and can come in different core options such as solid core or insulated core, that might affect the overall appearance and thermal performance.

 

Composite doors versus UPVC Doors

When it comes to choosing a new front door for your home, you have a few options to consider, including UPVC doors and composite doors. Both types of doors have their own unique benefits and drawbacks, and it ultimately depends on your specific situation and needs.

UPVC doors are made from a type of plastic that is known for its durability and energy efficiency. These doors are often less expensive than composite doors and are also easy to maintain.

UPVC doors are also available in a wide range of styles, colors, and designs, making it easy to find one that matches your home's architecture. Because of their construction these doors can be manufactured to fit into smaller openings that composite doors.

Composite doors, on the other hand, are made from a combination of materials; including wood, plastic, and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP). These doors are known for their strength, durability, and security. Fensa, a leading governing body within the door and window industry has a fantastic article on what a composite door is made of if you are interested.

Composite doors are also available in a wide range of styles, colors, and designs, making it easy to find one that matches your home's architecture. They are also a great option for those who want to improve the security of their home as they are known to be very robust, and they offer greater levels of thermal efficiency versus a UPVC door.

When deciding between UPVC doors and composite doors, it's important to consider your budget, the level of customization and features you require and the level of security and energy efficiency you desire. UPVC doors are generally less expensive and easy to maintain, while composite doors are known for their strength, durability and security.

In any case, both UPVC and composite doors are great options that offer different benefits and drawbacks. It is recommended that you consider your specific needs and budget before making a decision. It may be helpful to talk to an expert at UPVC Warehouse who can give you more information and help you find the right door

 

Should I consider an aluminium door?

Aluminium Bifold Doors

Advantages:

• Aluminium doors are extremely durable and strong, capable of lasting for decades.
• They can blend well with structures that have aluminium windows, resulting in a beautiful finish that lasts long. Aluminium has a very modern look with a sleeker finish due to often having a thinner frame around the glazing.
• They are mostly weatherproof and able to withstand any climatic conditions such as windy or wet conditions, making them suitable for use in any location, particularly coastal locations with saltwater spray
• They have low maintenance requirements in most situations, and aluminium is naturally resistant to rust.
• Modern designs such as Crittall doors are possible due to the use of aluminium materials, offering a premium look in many circumstances.

Crittall Doors with surrounding windows

Disadvantages:

• Despite their strength against climatic conditions, they can be prone to staining from water, especially in areas that receive a lot of rain. Proper treatment and maintenance are recommended to maintain their clean aesthetic, though this doesn’t affect the integrity of the door construct
• They are far more expensive than composite doors, and the price of aluminium can fluctuate due to raw material cost and foreign exchange rates, meaning that quotes change often.
• They require expert installers to ensure the highest installation standards are met, particularly as they are expensive and replacement would be costly

 

 

What style would suit my home? Traditional or Modern?

When it comes to choosing a composite door, one important factor to consider is the style you go for to match your home design and personality.

Traditional style composite doors can improve the appearance of an older property and can easily change the appearance by simply changing the colour or style. Many composite door manufacturers offer a wide range of traditional door styles, some of which are designed to replicate the look of original timber doors. These doors come with a variety of colours, including options for different colours on the inside and traditional leaded, patterned or decorative glass. Handles and door accessories also come in a variety of styles and finishes, while all of our doors come fitted in a high-quality profile UPVC frame.

On the other hand, contemporary composite front doors offer a minimalist design that works well with both modern and older houses, often being paired with modern trend colours such as Anthracite Grey or Chartwell Green. The key is to look at the external features of your house and use that as the basis for choosing a colour and style.

Plain contemporary doors work well with more modern houses, while glazed, partially glazed or panelled doors are great for older Edwardian or Victorian houses as they traditionally helped to let light into these often darker properties. If your home has older features but you desire a contemporary front door, consider looking at wood-effect colours in modern styles, such as golden oak or rosewood.

It is important to consider the style of window yo uhave on your home, or if you're renovating then ensuring you match the modern style of window to the door. This article does a great job of explaining the types of windows you may consider for your property. We can also manufacture windows, so be sure to get in contact if you wish to purchase everything to match fro mone place.

 

Should I consider side panels or even double opening doors?

When choosing the best composite door arrangement for your home, it's important to consider the evolving tastes in home improvements and the options available.

A single door is a great option for smaller openings and for cottage-style houses. If you have a taller door opening, adding a glazed top light above the door can make a feature of the door and allow more natural light to enter the home.

A larger door opening also gives you the option of a single door with two side panels or a double door set with matching side panels. For even larger openings you can add side panels and a top light all put together for convenience. It's important to note that side panel and top light options are also available on our mismeasured composite doors that don’t already have them attached.

Double doors are a great transformation option if your house already has a door with a glazed side-panel. Replacing the side panel with an opening door can dramatically change the front of your house and add convenience for moving large items in and out of your home.

It's important to note that the door arrangement options and their suitability for your home will depend on the size and style of your home, and you should consult with professionals to make sure you are making the best choice for your home. If you would like to know more you can call us on 0115 855 77 46, and speak to an expert within the industry.

 

What type of composite door structure is better? Solid core or insulated core?

What materials your door is made from is one of the important things to look for when buying a new composite door. At UPVC Warehouse, we only manufacture composite doors with insulated cores.

An insulated core composite door is not only lightweight but also offers exceptional thermal efficiency and security, making it the perfect choice for homeowners looking to improve energy efficiency and security of their homes. Insulated composite doors are the cheaper option compared to solid core doors, but offer no less security.

Solid timber core doors do offer an authentic wooden door feel and sound when knocked, and can offer a wider range of styles due to their construction.

Our composite doors are robust, weather-resistant and virtually maintenance-free. They are also made of 2 or three different materials, including GRP skin on the outside, which gives the look, texture, and feel of a wooden door at a fraction of the cost.

Your choice of whether to choose a solid-core or an insulated core composite door depends on the door style, options available with that door model, and of course, your budget. Contact us today to get a quote and to see a sample of our composite doors.

 

What is special about UPVC Warehouse Doors

When it comes to manufacturing our composite doors, UPVC Warehouse is committed to using the best materials and techniques to ensure that our doors are not only beautiful and functional, but also durable and long-lasting.

One of the key strengths of our manufacturing process is the use of 3D adjustable door hinges. This allows for easy fitting and flexibility in the installation process, ensuring that your door is properly aligned and secure.

We also use aluminium edge banding for added strength and to reduce warping. Unlike other manufacturers who use plastic edge banding, which can be weaker and may lead to warping over time, our aluminium edge banding offers superior durability and longevity.

Additionally, we use high-quality UPVC profile for the door frame. This ensures that the frame is strong, stable and long-lasting, unlike some national chains that use the cheapest profile which may not last as long.

All these features and manufacturing process guarantee that our composite doors are not only beautiful, but also durable and long-lasting, providing a great value for our customers.

 

Top tips for picking a composite door, and what else to consider

• Consider how your new door will blend in with the architecture of your house, consider brick type, building structure and light levels internally.

• Ask to see the latest trend colours such as Duck Egg Blue, Chartwell Green and contemporary greys. Consider custom colours on both our door panels and frames if your needs are more specific and budget allows.

• Ensure you consider your choice of accessories such as handles, which can come in varieties such as traditional lever handles or the latest contemporary satin or polished stainless steel.

• Ensure your chosen door company can offer a range of both traditional glass as well as the latest sand-blasted or acid-etched versions. We offer fully customised glass manufactured locally by a reputable company.

• Check that the right range of door accessories such as door knockers, door numbers, spyholes and door security is available. These are best fitted to the door when it is made, not afterwards, as this ensures these accessories are built into the structure without impacting the doors integrity.

For a price on a new composite door, contact UPVC Warehouse today by phone or email through our website. Our range of composite doors have been made to a high standard, and we pride ourselves on being able to offer a flexible range of products to meet all needs. Contact us today for a free quotation and to ask any questions.

 

Mismeasured composite doors versus brand new, which should I consider?

When it comes to replacing your front door, you have a few options to consider. One option is to purchase a brand-new composite door, and the other is to opt for a mismeasured composite door. Both options have their pros and cons, and it ultimately depends on your specific situation and needs.

A new composite door offers the advantage of being made to your exact measurements and specifications. This means that it will fit seamlessly into your existing door frame and provide an exact fit. You will also have the option to choose from a wide range of styles, colours, and features, such as security features and hardware. Additionally, you will have the peace of mind knowing that your door is under warranty and will be covered in case of any defects.

On the other hand, a mismeasured composite door is a door that has been made to a different size and is being sold as an uncollected or returned (but unfitted) item. These doors are often sold at a discounted price and can be a great option for homeowners on a budget. However, it's important to keep in mind that mismeasured composite doors may not fit perfectly into your existing door frame and may require additional installation or modification, which should be discussed with the fitter beforehand. If you haven't yet found a fitter then please get in touch, we can offer fitting in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshrie and Leicestershire. We always recommend using a professional fitter with good reviews on sites such as Checkatrade, who can help ensure you only deal with high quality installers.

Our mismeasured composite doors are all manufactured by us, which has the benefit of meaning we can customise these doors further by attaching accessories, top lights and side panels.