Upvc door v composite door?

justaquestion

Hi folks,

I got a quote for replacement front and back doors and was told that its much better to go for a composite door for the front of house, that they are a lot more sturdy than the ordinary upvc door which can be a bit flimsy, though he did say it would be ok to fit upvc door at back of house.

The downside is the composite door is £500 more expensive than the standard.

Usually its the back of house that gets more of the sun etc so thoughts on that appreciated.

As I know nothing about upvc would like your advise about getting a composite fitted at front and maybe back as well, since back tends to get more of the sun?

Thanks a lot for any advice.

jbainbridge

As far as I'm aware the composite will much stronger / more secure than a upvc. Besides which it will look nicer - I really don't like the look of upvc doors.

Sedge123

Composite all the way, look nicer and feel much more solid and are more secure. Well worth the investment.

Chanes

Rockdoor! We replaced three UPVC whites and there is a big difference in quality between composite and UPVC.

onomatopoeia99

PVCu and composite aren't the only materials one can get doors in.

I looked at a lot of doors before replacing my front door, the composite doors definitely felt more substantial than the PVCu ones. Wood and steel doors were steps up again (in solidity and price). I ended up with steel at the front and composite at the back. My parents have a PVCu back door and the difference is marked, mine is a lot more robust, better fit in the frame, doesn't warp or stick etc, though it gets little sun so I can't comment on the relative merits for a south facing door.

The composite door was about £800, since it was a back door I only went for a basic design with a single big pane of glass on the top half, it's possible to spend a lot more. The PVCu ones were only £100 cheaper or so.

justaquestion

Thanks so much for all your helpful advice.

What sort of price would you expect to pay for an average composite, I take it if there are left and right hand panels, ie to left and right of door that its only the door that is composite?

As its a total package with upvc windows and all, I am not sure of the exact price of the doors just that the composite door is £400-£500 dearer than standard pvc door?

So going on your advice I think that a composite at back may be prudent as well, but the price all adds up unfortunately.

phil24_7

onomatopoeia99 wrote: »

I looked at a lot of doors before replacing my front door, the composite doors definitely felt more substantial than the PVCu ones. Wood and steel doors were steps up again (in solidity and price). I ended up with steel at the front and composite at the back.

Where did you end up purchasing your doors?

justaquestion

phil24_7 wrote: »

Where did you end up purchasing your doors?

Not one of any of the well known companies, just a one man operation (obviously he's got people working with him to install etc)

Does seem straight forward and honest enough, but then I haven't got any other quotes, and more or less told him that I would go with his windows.

I sort of expect him to do a deal though on a composite for the back.

Overall all though I knew that eventually the windows had to be replaced, other things such as having to totally refit the bathroom, and having to replace the window there, which he gave a good price on, which more or less led me on to making a fairly impulsive decision to do the lot.

phil24_7

Sorry Justaquestion, my query was for onomatopoeia99.

Its less disruptive in the long term to get them all done at once, unless you are planning on renovating all of your rooms one at a time.

Slinky

Would recommend getting a white door if it faces the sun. Certainly not a red one, as it's the worst colour for fading.

justaquestion

Thanks for replies.

Well I was thinking about fitting a composite door at back as well.

I had a few brochures from a company who do windows and door and supply to trade only. I rang them up and spoke to a very helpful chap who confirmed that the composite doors do look better, but then went on to say that the manufacturing process nowadays for Upvc doors are much better than 10 years ago, and in his opinion the composite were not worth the extra price.

As a result of this and your good advice on here I think I will put composite at front and standard pvc door at back.

On a different note is a 20mm spacing in double glazed windows (from front glass to back glass) enough in your opinion, don't really need it for noise reduction?

Thanks