Picking the right type of door for enhancing home security, insulation, and aesthetics is no easy feat.
As a helping hand, it’s extremely beneficial to know are composite doors better than upvc, or if it’s the other way around.
You can only unravel that by realising what the distinction is between the two popular options and comparing the different aspects they offer.
Our blog is designed to present the facts behind UPVC and composite doors so that either can be bought with confidence.
What is a uPVC Door?
The UPVC door is a presence in the product ranges of almost every respected door supplier, Hazlemere being one of them.
To the touch, the material is smooth and it’s weatherproofing, so it can cope with the up-and-down British weather, no matter if hit with a barrage of rain or sunshine.
Anti-rotting and resistant to rusting, UPVC is insulating and will fuel your property with comfort all-year round, assisted by the energy efficient glazing in any openings the door has.
Take this all into consideration when thrashing out an opinion on composite door vs upvc.
Composition and Manufacturing of uPVC Doors
Once you know how a UPVC door is composed and brought to life, it will help you come to your own conclusion as to are composite doors better than UPVC.
They’re called UPVC doors for a reason, because they are manufactured using unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), a low-maintenance building material that’s also wielded in window production.
These entryways are incredibly lightweight and inexpensively priced, yet they are a secure defence against intrusion and reach above required thermal standards.
Benefits and Disadvantages of uPVC Doors
Let’s go over some of the positives and negatives of UPVC doors so that you can better grasp what is the difference between upvc and composite doors.
- The affordability and cost-effectiveness is a definite upside, as is the low-maintenance nature of the material, which can be cleaned quickly and effectively with hot soapy water and a soft cloth.
- UPVC’s insulation properties are not to be underestimated, sufficiently high-level enough to curb heat loss and stimulate warmth internally.
- There’s not quite the same ruggedness as you get with a composite and discolouration is possible over time if poor quality UPVC is utilised. Plastic use also raises concerns about the environmental impact on the planet, however we employ recycled UPVC to build our doors.
What is a Composite Door?
Adoration of composite doors grows by the day, but are you fully familiar with exactly what they are?
Classically styled, they possess contemporary strands in their fashionable design, typically encompassing a solid timber core, as well as UPVC, insulating foam and glass reinforced plastic (GRP). Fusion of these materials initiates a relentlessly tough and robust solution.
Wind and rain will be seen off with ease, eliminating the potential development of fading or warping and guaranteeing a stunning-looking door for many years ahead.
Composition and Manufacturing of Composite Doors
The material quality of a composite door can be attributed to its formidable constitution, manufactured from materials including wood, insulating foam, and a fibreglass outer layer.
Together, these provide enhanced strength and remarkable thermal efficiency.
Exhibited in the GRP skin is a highly believable wood grain effect, one of the aesthetic options most called for by householders who adore the natural appearance of timber.
Benefits and Disadvantages of Composite Doors
The high security of a composite door is one of the most notable advantages to speak about, no surprise when it has a thickness ranging from 35mm to 48mm and incorporates numerous secure components.
- Most composites easily exceed the expected U-value of 1.8 W/m² and therefore provide superior thermal efficiency, creating a warmer atmosphere for inhabitants so they never go cold.
- Admirers of wooden doors will value the resemblance of timber, mimicking them to near perfection, highlighting the aesthetic versatility of a composite design.
- We cannot escape the fact that there’s usually a higher initial cost involved and the door’s added weight can cause the installation process to be more complex than it would be with a UPVC alternative.
Cost and Value for Money
What is the price difference between upvc and composite doors is a common query from customers deliberating which of the two doors to purchase.
The cost of either solution will vary depending on what type of design is selected, the accessories affixed to it, if it has accompanying side panels and so on – customisation will contribute to cost.
On the whole, composite doors attract a higher investment, but don’t see that as a negative, and on the flip side, you mustn’t confuse a UPVC door’s cheaper cost as it meaning poor quality.
Over time, the irrepressible strength and resilience of each door solution can offset the initial cost, so take a long-term view rather than have a long-term perspective.
Thermal Efficiency of uPVC vs. Composite Doors
To turn a home into an energy-efficient setting, it needs to have well-insulating windows and doors. A composite door is produced using a combination of materials, including UPVC, wood, insulating foam, and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP), which is how it’s able to achieve a U-Value as low as 0.8 W/m²K.
UPVC doors cannot quite compete with that, but they still have impressive energy ratings, managing to keep draughts at bay and retain lots of warmth.
Although composites are ahead of UPVC equivalents for thermal performance, they aren’t as inexpensive and you can still anticipate terrific energy preservation from UPVC, both decreasing fuel consumption and heating costs.
Expected Lifespan and Durability
Hazlemere’s door guarantee is for 10 years, but that doesn’t necessarily mean the lifespan of our doors is a full decade and no more.
You could extend the lifespan of either a UPVC or composite design by abiding to the maintenance requirements which are simple to execute and will take up little of your valuable time.
Doing so could prolong a UPVC door’s life to 20-25 years and composite door’s life to 30 years.
The durability of the two materials is what ensures you of straightforward upkeep that only needs carrying out occasionally, as does their moisture resistance, ensuring you don’t experience the warping or rotting that manifests in wooden doors.
Are Composite Doors Warmer Than uPVC?
Because out of the two options they offer a greater standard of thermal efficiency, composite doors are warmer than UPVC door designs, and it’s thanks to the mesh of materials in their frame composition. The extreme heat retention comes from a composite’s insulating core.
That’s not to say that UPVC isn’t a good insulating material, it most certainly is, but there’s no point denying are composite doors warmer than UPVC when that is the honest case. How can a single plastic material compete against a multi-layered door structure in the thermal stakes?
U-values are typically lower for composite doors, as a result, creating warmer households that consume less energy.
Recommendations Based on Different User Needs
Where you sit in the ongoing upvc vs composite doors debate will be determined by what your needs and requirements are and the goals you seek to accomplish.
Money is a decisive factor in most situations and the costlier of the two materials is composite, although for the additional cost you can gain pronounced energy savings, amongst other things.
If it’s security concerns you’re looking to address, composites possess upper-level strength and will put an enhanced block on intruders getting in.
From a looks point of view, there are visible similarities in appearance between composites and wooden doors due to the presence of a realistic woodgrain in a composite door frame. UPVC has a glossy sheen which may not match the traditional appeal of heritage homes and older residences.
We would advise anyone after buying a new composite or UPVC door to come and see examples of each first. You can do that at your nearest Hazlemere showroom.