uPVC Doors or Composite Doors?
At Window Advice Centre, we understand that choosing the right door for your home is a significant decision. Our experts provide impartial advice to help you navigate the choices between uPVC and Composite doors. We consider your specific needs, preferences, and budget to recommend the best solutions for you.
When selecting new doors for your home, understanding the differences between uPVC and Composite doors is crucial. Here, we provide a detailed comparison to help you make an informed decision.
What are uPVC Doors?
uPVC (unplasticized polyvinyl chloride) doors are available in various finishes and colours and are a popular choice for homeowners due to their affordability and low maintenance. To be secure, effective and long lasting PVCu doors benefit from steel or aluminium reinforcement through the internal chambers of the frames and jambs. The PVCu panels that fit into the frames can incorporate a structural reinforcement within the insulation core to provide greater strength than panels that only have a PVCu skin on top of expanded foam insulation. PVCu doors will generally have multi-point locking to provide resistance to air infiltration and forced entry. Irrespective of the number of locking points the security level of the lock barrel is the most important factor. Low cost locks can be easily overcome compared to high security locks that cannot be overcome by any standard method of attack.
A well fabricated PVCU door could provide good service for over 20 Years while poor quality doors might need to be replaced within 5 years.
What are Composite Doors?
Composite doors are designed to combine the best features of different materials, including GRP (glass reinforced plastic) skins on a solid timber core in single rebate composite doors or steel reinforced uPVC internal frames in double rebate composite doors. Composite Doors are generally mounted within standard PVCu outer-frames and often use the same multi-point locking as PVCu doors, it is the door slab itself that provides enhanced performance and aesthetic appeal. Composite doors boast superior strength and rigidity, high resistance to weathering and impact, and an authentic wood-like appearance with various classical and contemporary design options.
Comparing uPVC Doors and Composite Doors
Which type of Replacement Doors offer the best Energy Efficiency?
When it comes to comparing energy efficiency, uPVC doors generally offer good thermal insulation due to their multi-chambered frames, and insulated panels. However, Composite doors typically provide even better energy efficiency. The insulating layers can be twice or three times the depth of PVCu doors result in superior thermal performance, which can lead to lower energy bills.
Which Doors have the best Lifespan: uPVC or Composite?
The lifespan of a well-constructed uPVC door and a GRP Composite Door should be around 20-25 years with proper care. Timber core GRP Doors may in some circumstances be outlasted by Composite Doors with Steel Reinforced PVCu inner frames which are less prone to carping due to moisture or differential thermal movement over the years.
Do Replacement Doors require Maintenance?
uPVC and Composite doors require minimal maintenance. Cleaning with soapy water and occasional lubrication of hardware is usually sufficient to keep them in good condition.
Which Doors offer the best Security: uPVC or Composite?
In terms of comparing security differences, uPVC doors provide a good level of protection with modern multi-point locking systems and good quality locks. However, Composite doors carrying high security locks can offer superior security due to their solid core and or reinforced internal structure.
Are there many design styles of Replacement Doors?
uPVC doors are available in a wide range of colours and styles, though they might not match the authentic wood look as closely as Composite doors. Composite doors offer greater design flexibility with a vast array of colours, styles, and finishes that can mimic the appearance of natural wood and other materials, providing a more aesthetically pleasing option for many homeowners.
Price Comparison between uPVC and Composite replacement Doors
uPVC doors are generally less expensive making them an attractive option for budget-conscious homeowner, but caution is warranted as often the cheap bargain purchase can turn out to be a case of buy cheap buy twice. Composite doors while generally more expensive can deliver a much elevated aesthetic that many consider warrants the extra expenditure.
How Window Advice Centre Can Help
Without charge or obligation, the independent Chartered Architectural Technologists and Replacement Window experts at Window Advice Centre are available to help you.
By contacting Window Advice Centre, you can access impartial expert advice to help you identify the best solution for your specific needs and then be provided with itemised directly comparable costs from a range of approved reliable Replacement Window or Double Glazing companies who have all been subjected to constant appraisal over hundreds of installations over many years.
For more detailed information from Window Advice Centre visit our dedicated Doors page, or if you need help on finding the optimum solution for your situation Contact Us by telephone on 0141 332 7878 or arrange your FREE no-obligation Survey and expert advice by clicking this Book a FREE Survey link or the button below.