Help! Need advice on new doors.

ang68

Im a newbie in need of help and advice. I need to replace my front door (plus surrounding frame -two side panels and fanlight) and back door. We've had a couple of break-ins in the area, so looking for something secure. But Im also planning to sell at the end of the year so they've got to be economical. I've had the usual DG reps (sorry they're not reps, "surveyors" or "managers" but never sales reps) come around. To be quite honest Im getting fed up of all the lines I'm being fed. So can any one help?

What's the best type of door to get considering my criteria?
What's a composite door?
What's a good price to pay for either pvc or composite?
Any recommendations for companies in Manchester?
Would a joiner be able to offer guarantees?

Got another company coming around tomorrow, wish me luck! But I have got a bit of ammunition. I start by telling them I only want a quote and will not be making a decision straight away, and that im not going to get caught up in the bartering.

floyd

We have just had front and back composite doors fitted and they are wonderful. They are much heavier than UPVC and with the pad-lever type handle, the only way to get in is to smash the door into tiny bits because its made of fiberglass which is stronger than steel (depending on the fiberglass grade of course) and they have 5 point hook-locking systems instead of the little discs that slide into a channel in the frame.
You used to be able to buy composite doors from B and Q and they seemed OK (about £400). We got ours from a company in Matlock who did a great job fitting them but their communications were a bit crappy. The ones we bought were much more expensive than a UPVC door because they are much more re-inforced than standard UPVC but if you are moving its probably an excessive amount to spend (average £800 per door). They are expensive because they have a skin on them that can be dyed so they look good on older houses if you are going for that sort of traditional look.
I would say you could get a decent UPVC door for £300-400.

ang68

Thanks for that. But what's classed as a good quality upvc door?