Layers of cooperative materials

A composite door has a thick body made up of many materials, firstly you will find an outer frame which is solely made of 70mm of PVCu, this first layer offers the same qualities of standard polymers, most importantly PVCu is water-resistant and is practically durable.  Only a small amount of PVCu is applied however as this outer layer is only important for protecting the wooden interior.

The next section you can expect to find is a reinforced, composite PVC subframe. This specialised framing allows for the ultimate stability, whether that’s against weather, moisture or constant use. Implementing PVCu in to the composite subframe helps to prevent the frame from becoming malleable and keeps the body of the door firmly stable.  

What else can you find?

Inside of a composite door you can expect to see solid, hardwood inner framing, which reinforces the door with torsional rigidity. How does it achieve this? Hardwood is a naturally sourced material, which comes from broadleaved trees such as oak, ash and beech. These species of trees are known as coniferous and offer the sturdiest of properties, which is exactly why professionals have manufactured composites using such a material.  

Using specialist techniques, manufacturers of composite doors inject a substance know as thermally insulating polyurethane, into the core of the door. This advanced foam material weaves between the hardwood and PVCu layers, sealing all orifices to prevent draughts and heat from passing through the door. This foam is designed to keep the inside of your home warm, whilst keeping the cold out. Composite doors were invented to bring excellent thermal-insulation to homes, therefore only the best quality materials for heat preservation are used.

A 2mm PVCu edge can be found surrounding the main frame of the composite door, these frames are usually found with an ash grain effect to help the rim of the door match the lock system and hinges. Everything about a composite door has to be perfect, whether that’s with function or aesthetics, so you can expect to see nothing but the best from investing in one. 

They're the best of the best 

You can also find a GRP, grained surface with solid colour. This protective skin will prevent the door from decolouring and will prevent the risk of cracks, twists or deformities of the composite door. Colour endurance is just as important as the material endurance of a composite door – they are designed to last and reflect their price tag.

With most composite doors you will also be surprised to find a Part ‘M’ compliant, low threshold which allows for easy wheelchair or pram access. All areas of a perfect door have been thought out carefully with a composite door; this new advancement in door technology wants to cover all aspects that many manufacturers may miss out. There is a perfect  door out there fro everyone and composite doors were designed to also appeal towards people who are disabled

Lastly, there is one more attribute you can optionally find in a composite door, this would be between 15mm, 85mm or no sills at all. What is a sill you ask? It’s the small ledge below and/or above your door, which acts predominantly as an aesthetic rather than anything functional.

As you can tell, a lot of different factors go into the preparation and design of a composite door. There’s a lot of time, human labour and strategic thinking, which is implemented into the creation of just one composite door, therefore by now I’m sure you can understand why they can appear a little pricey? If you want to invest in a door that offers the best security, colours and overall energy efficiency, a composite door is your best option as of now!