Comparing Composite Doors & Aluminium Doors
There's a lot to consider when looking for your new front door.
The two popular door materials are composite and aluminium; however, choosing one may be difficult, so in order to come to the best decision for you, you should consider the pros and cons of each.
As the entrance to your home, your choice must be aesthetically pleasing, secure, and long-lasting.
When comparing composite and aluminium doors, we must look at maintenance, style, longevity and thermal efficiency.
The Fundamentals of Composite Doors
Composite doors have a solid timber core and contain materials such as laminate, uPVC, or GRP (Glass Reinforced Plastic, which is also known as fibreglass).
Due to the various materials, this door is more durable and denser, making it secure and a good option for your home.
Manufacturing process
Since composite doors are composed of a mix of materials, they have a complicated manufacturing process compared to aluminium doors.
Composite doors' outer frame, core, and subframe are made from different materials, which increase their performance as the best external door.
Composite doors were initially created to eradicate the common drawbacks of doors made with one material. These doors combined the qualities of various materials for a robust option, which homeowners love.
Usually, the core of a composite door is made from solid wood, which has a reinforced galvanised steel outer frame paired with a uPVC subframe.
How long do composite doors last?
The lifespan of composite doors is 30 years, even with minimal maintenance. If the moving parts are oiled regularly, and you take care of your doors, they will last even longer, sometimes up to 35 to 40 years.
Maintenance
Composite doors are very easy to maintain and keep them looking new. All you need to clean your door is a wet and soft cloth over the door frame and panels to wipe away the dirt.
You can also use a soft sponge and hot/cold water. Clean with dishwashing liquids and avoid using harsh chemicals.
Don't forget to clean the hinges as well to make the door close properly. Maintenance will only take you 15 minutes out of the day.
Style
The exterior of a composite door usually uses uPVC, so you have a wide range of choices regarding colours. In this way, you can add a little pop and a unique touch to your home.
Composite doors also have a specific finish, such as wood grain, to replicate the texture of timber doors, according to your choice.
Here at Value Doors, we have a wide range of colours and styles to suit whatever aesthetic you're going for. From Anglian composite doors to composite glazed doors, we got you covered.
Thermal efficiency
Composite front doors have been proven to be 10 times more energy-efficient than other doors.
These doors were designed to keep heat in your home and reduce heat loss. This is not only due to their insulting core (either timber or foam core) but also their whole structure.
Different materials make composite doors better retain their structure, reducing the chance of heat escaping around the edges, which makes it thermally efficient.
In turn, this makes your home warmer, which reduces energy costs. Composite doors are also thicker, which reduces noise inside your home.
The Fundamentals of Aluminium Doors
Aluminium metal is highly durable, low-density, but lightweight. It's usually used for large windows that don't need bulky frames but is also commonly used as doors.
An aluminium door is very resistant to corrosion and can last when exposed to harsh weather conditions.
Manufacturing process
The manufacturing process for aluminium doors is pretty straightforward compared to composite doors. Aluminium is heated and pressed into a mould.
The aluminium door is completed with an extra protective thermal coat to make the door a good insulator of heat. Aluminium doors can easily be cut to fit your door frame properly.
How long do aluminium doors last?
An aluminium entrance door has an average lifespan of 45 years due to its ability to resist various weather elements. These doors do not corrode, which protects them from the British wet weather. It will not warp as well.
Maintenance
Aluminium front doors are relatively low-maintenance, as they only need to be washed every few months. All you need is a mild detergent, a bucket of water, and a soft sponge. Gently wipe the aluminium door to get all the dirt and debris off the door.
Style
You have different varieties of aluminium doors, such as sliding, folding, french, and hinged doors.
However, your choices in colour when choosing an aluminium front door, as they are usually only available in standard colours such as cream, black and brown.
While these neutral shades can easily match any home aesthetic, you don't have the choice to choose a pop of colour for your home.
Thermal efficiency
While most aluminium doors have an extra thermal barrier, which retains heat in your home, it can be hard to find a supplier with this.
Compared to composite doors, aluminium doors tend to make a home cooler, which is beneficial in the hotter months but increases energy costs in the colder months.
The Benefits of Composite Doors
A composite door is a good choice for the entrance of your home. Let's look deeper into the benefits of composite doors.
Composite doors are stylish and are great for kerb appeal
Whether you go for our contemporary composite front doors or a traditional one, they will make a striking statement in the front of your home. Our composite doors use CoolSkin and double glaze to give your home a timeless and aesthetic look.
Composite doors are durable
The multi-layered composition of a composite door makes it resilient and strong, perfect for your home and any harsh elements.
These doors also have a mesh reinforcement that is put into the foam core alongside a steel bar that exceeds all security standards.
These doors need little to no maintenance
This is one of the best benefits of having a composite door. It doesn't need time-consuming and costly maintenance to keep it looking new.
A simple wipe with a wet cloth will keep it looking sharp and clean. An added bonus of composite doors, as well as being low maintenance, they are not prone to warping, cracking, and fading, either.
You can also look up more pros and cons of composite doors, so you can get better insight into what makes composite doors great and if they are the right choice for your home.
Why not check out our blog for lots of handy hints and tips when it comes to taking care of your brand-new composite door?
