Solid wood/Composite/uPVC door? 30 May 2013 at 9:45PM in In My Home (includes DIY) MoneySaving 41 replies 196K views

Lizling

Is there really much difference in terms of security?

I've had 3 quotes for solid wood front doors and they've all been over £1000 (including fitting), which seems a lot! Are they really worth the extra compared to other sorts of doors?

Ionkontrol

PVC = worst
Wood (Hardwood) = Perfectly adequate.
Quality Composite (Rockdoor) = Best.

Remember, locks and frame are the weakest part of a front door.

Furts

There is a fundamental flaw when front doors are fitted to many homes.

All timber doors require an adequate porch detail - but this has not been allowed for by builders over the last seventy years. The result is timber front doors are subject to excessive rain and sunlight. They then deteriorate.

However, if the house is sheltered, or not facing direct sun, or prevailing rain, the door survives longer.

Look at your door position when making a decision. But be aware a dark coloured composite door without an adequate porch, and facing direct sun, can give problems. This can be with colour fade, distortion and in the worst cases cracking.

LEJC

Ive had all three types of doors over the years...upvc was my least favourite...but both wood and composite have been very good.

My wooden dorr lasted well we took it down about 18 months ago but it had been up for 20 years or so...the composite seems very good and substantial and is fairing well.

From a security point of view the composite has been by far the best locking mechanism than any of our previous doors.

woodbutcher_2

Having fitted many doors over the years, i always had a preference for a good hardwood door over uPVC.

Composite doors (quality ones at least) are very good and score highly on security, ease of fitting and if looked after, fairly maintenance free.

There are issues with dark ones expanding in hot weather and becoming difficult to operate and also the issue of fading when in direct sunlight for long periods.

If i was fitting a new door on my house, think i'd probably slightly favour a composite over a hardwood one.

rainbow12

Composite doors wont warp like wood and dont require regular painting.
And if you cant see a composite door in the colour you want take it to a car sprayets and they'll spray it any colour you wany

Furts

rainbow12 wrote: »

And if you cant see a composite door in the colour you want take it to a car sprayets and they'll spray it any colour you wany

And if you want to invalidate the guarantee on the door, I cannot think of a better way of doing it.

Tobytony

Composite once fitted correctly no maintance no problems

Lizling

Seems that the consensus is composite then!

Should I expect to pay even more for composite than the quotes I've had for hardwood? I was really hoping not to have to go over about £800.

LEJC

possibly looking at around £1000 for composite ours was £1100 with a top window fully fitted in new frame etc.

Furts

Lizling wrote: »

Seems that the consensus is composite then!

Should I expect to pay even more for composite than the quotes I've had for hardwood? I was really hoping not to have to go over about £800.

If you shop around it is possible to get below £800. Like everything there are mark ups on composite doors but shrewd dealing can achieve good prices. You could make a trade sourced purchase if you are then able to get it fitted. In this case the door should be around £500 plus fitting.