Emma Fowlds from Distinction Doors explains why composite doors are now the number one selling entrance doors in the country.
Let’s start with the technical bit and explain what makes a composite door. It’s a door produced from several materials. The ‘skin’ can be GRP (glass reinforced polyester), ABS, steel, PVC or other materials. The void between the skins is filled with an insulating material. Entrance doors manufactured from an engineered timber core with skins bonded are also known as composite doors.
Arriving in the UK around 20 years ago, composite doors have grown largely at the expense of PVC panels doors. These, alongside timber doors, dominated the UK domestic market for more than two decades – from the mid-70s to late 90s. But new legislation brought in to satisfy social housing requirements challenged both the PVC and timber door markets, as they struggled to meet the demands. Composite door manufacturers and suppliers spotted this opportunity and have never looked back.
Composite doors already ticked a lot of boxes but there was also opportunity for further development and enhancement, making them a popular choice throughout the supply chain for both private and social housing. Since then, composite door manufacturers and suppliers have kept pace with trends, changing demands and new regulations.
Something that composite doors do brilliantly is balance performance with aesthetics. They are renowned for thermal performance, security, and sound insulation. These attributes are complemented by a large range of door styles, colour options, and decorative glass designs.
Solid performance
Composite doors offer a robust alternative to PVC panel doors. The solid rigidity of the composite product means that it not only feels secure but is secure. Our Signature door slab has a reinforced central board, for example, which makes it both solid and secure. This also helps to boost sound insulation; a Distinction door slab can reduce outdoor noise by an average of 31 decibels. If a GRP skin is specified, then this too adds to the door’s durability. The high-impact resistant glass reinforced polyester offers exceptional endurance and maintains the door’s striking appearance.
As the composite door market has grown so too have the demands placed upon it. Proven performance is critical in the specification and procurement process and is increasingly important to homeowners – consider the emphasis placed upon online reviews and recommendations in decision making. More formally, accreditations such as the enhanced security specification PAS 24:2022 and Secured by Design give confidence and reassurance.
Keep warm
Perhaps, the most important attribute for modern homeowners is thermal performance. With a squeeze on cash, those who can afford to improve their homes are choosing to invest in high-quality products which deliver long-term reward. Composite doors offer superior thermal performance, the difference is clear when replacing a PVC door. Our door, for example, is 50% more thermally efficient than a 48mm solid timber core composite door and a 44mm traditional timber panellised door.
Instantly, a home will feel warmer, as the doorset keeps warm air in and cold air out. Long-term, it will help reduce energy usage and therefore, lower energy bills, and supports those wishing to reduce their carbon footprint and avoid contributing to climate change.
Style and colour
These two factors are the reason composite doors have dominated the domestic market in the 21st century. Homeowners can now choose from a huge selection of door styles. There’s a one to suit every property and personal taste – including traditional and contemporary designs that are glazed and unglazed with enhanced or flush mouldings and details.
Homeowners love the fact that they can then personalise the door – choosing decorative glass, hardware, and colours. The doors can be painted on both sides and the colours don’t need to match! Shades of grey have been extremely popular for the past decade, but most suppliers offer a varied palette of paint colours.
Unlike a timber door, composite doors require very little maintenance – just wipe with warm, soapy water and a clean, lint-free cloth.
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Door installer, Dean Spencer for EYG Home Improvements discusses his experiences with fitting composite doors
I’ve been with EYG for 24 years and I’ve been fitting composite doors for the past 15 years. They’re quick and easy to install, especially when you have been doing them as long as I have; it’s a straightforward job. We have had experience with a couple of different door brands over the years but we prefer not to swap too often as it can cause delays for customers. We stick to reliable brands that we like, and our customers like too.
There are so many styles of doors now compared to when I started fitting 24 years ago, so there’s a huge choice. I do see a lot of customers going for anthracite grey, and a more modern style of door. A few years ago, one customer cried. I fitted a pink door and I thought she was crying because she didn’t like it, but they were tears of joy. We get ‘wow’ a lot from customers, everyone is always really impressed and happy. My advice for a fitter starting out – take your time! Treat it as if it is your own house – that’s the way I have always been taught.
