General Composite door questions

markyb555

The time has come to purchase our first front door and if I'm honest I'm not looking forward to it!
We have a red bricked house that faces west and at the moment has a white uPVC door that is murder to lock when cold but on the whole is alright.

We would like a black door or a anthracite grey one but frightened on various heat warping horror stories associated with composite doors in general.
The fitter that recently fit our windows generally fits solidor but I do believe he would fit rock door. When I asked his opinion, I was told hes never had any real issues apart from the odd door dropping which he nipped back to readjust (but he would say that naturally) there is also 1 cost level of solidor and 3 cost levels to the rock door.

I'm torn, I don't mind paying the right rate for something that will not cause issues but begrudge paying through the nose for cheap rubbish.

Does it really just boil down to the quality of the installation whether you encounter issues?

I've also hear good things about hormann domestic doors but aren't really any installers in our area (Chorley, Lancashire)

Any advise would be greatly appreciated

gday064

Solidor does the job. Secure, looks nice, pretty good at insulating. Depends how much more they're charging for rockdoor, but I wouldn't go with that. I researched in to it a lot for my house renovation. Both have mixed reviews. To be honest, composite doors these days are extremely secure and use thick materials, so don't worry so much about the brand, more reviews of the product/installer

markyb555

Thanks for your input. Sorry for the delay in replying. Somehow didn't message me with an email someone had replied!

Out of curiosity, did you opt for a dark or light coloured door?

Cheers

greenface

Ive been fitting doors composite and PVCu for over 25 years and not had many problems with them. Some need adjusting sometimes but nothing really down to issues with heat and weather . darker doors and the way composites are constructed they can swell slightly Ive found black/grey door and black grey frames together can tighten in the soft brushes in the mad heat . combination doors a little more than one that's fixed straight into the walls (probably just more plastic around ) There have been some issues with rock doors warping . this I belive has been sorted out but I haven't fitted a rock door for over 3 years . Solidoor are fine . Try Distinction doors a few junctions down the m6 from you in warrington . Thery trade as sterling windows or global doors all the same firm . GAP have a new range out and a little more play with adjustments.
https://www.distinctiondoors.co.uk/

markyb555

Thanks for the reassurance (especially from someone fairly local and in the trade)

I'll give them a look when the time comes in a few months for the sake of 20mins down the motorway 😀

onomatopoeia99

You mention Hormann, I've got one of their steel doors and it's superb. Also expensive, but you won't be paying for cheap rubbish.

When I contacted them direct they pointed me that the agent covering my area.

lindze

I was going to go for a Hormann door but in the end settled for a door from RK Door Systems. It was fitted in November and I love it. It is better than Hormann in terms of thermal properties, thicker and a better locking spec was included (Hormann charge extra for everything).



I think that they are a national company but yes it was expensive. I don't regret it though

greenface

Have a nose a spitfire doors . https://www.spitfiredoors.co.uk/

markyb555

Looking at an article on the cost of Aluminum doors has started to make my toes curl!

However, I do like the look of the Spitfire Doors!



Thanks alot for everyones recommendations.

greenface

markyb555 wrote: »

Looking at an article on the cost of Aluminum doors has started to make my toes curl!

However, I do like the look of the Spitfire Doors!



Thanks alot for everyones recommendations.

you wont have toes if you buy a spitfire door . you will need to donate a few limbs for cash .

ic

I have a black composite door, which faces south west, manufactured by a local firm (Force8). Been in six years now - no issues with fading or warping. As we're on a main road, as a matter of course we keep the door locked - which from what I've read can prevent the door warping as the multi-point lock holds it in place.