Holes in a Composite Door
As secure and durable as a composite door seems compared to a uPVC door, they aren't indestructible and can nevertheless be subject to certain issues, including damage in the form of holes.
But don't worry if you've noticed a hole in your door; in this article, we'll take you through how to fix a hole in your composite door effectively and efficiently.
Solutions to Fix a Hole in Composite Doors
We've brainstormed and compiled several helpful solutions for fixing a hole in your front door. You should use the one you feel best applies to your situation, skillset, and toolbox!
While holes in composite doors aren't as common as holes in hollow core doors, they can occur with enough force, perhaps due to an attempted break-in or an unintentional mishap at home.
To ensure your composite door is as energy-efficient as possible, you'll want to patch it up quickly.
And while we suggest you paint over the hole in your front door or exterior doors, you should do so with the correct type of paint. Composite doors are made from various materials, so latex paint may not be ideal. You should instead stick to oil-based enamels.
Get some spray foam insulation
Spray foam expands after you spray it, sealing the hole. Ideally, you'd want to stick to low-expansion foam instead of high-expansion foam, which can be hard to control.
Low-expansion foam is designed particularly well for filling gaps in small places, such as window frames and around doors.
After spraying, the foam will harden, slowly filling the hole. To keep it "clean", all you'll have to do is cut the filler on the door's surface until it's in line. You might even want to try sanding the area and painting it, rendering the repair mostly unnoticeable.
Just be careful when using this product on your composite front door, as it's highly effective and can get stuck on your skin and clothes if you're not careful.
Getting it on your skin can be an absolute nightmare, and you may not even be able to get it off even with vigorous scrubbing. In this case, you'll have to wait for your skill cells to die naturally and flake off.
Make sure to always wear gloves when working with this substance. And if it comes in contact with your skin, wash your hands immediately and thoroughly.
Typically, spray foam insulation will come with a removable tube, which you can attach to the nozzle, and that'll help you get to the small space of the hole and fill it up effectively.
And if you're not sure this is working well enough, or if the hole is particularly large, you can always try one of our other solutions.
A wood dowel might work
Wood dowels come in different sizes, and while they're typically used as a structural reinforcement for cabinets, you can also repurpose them to fill holes in composite timber doors.
You may need to drill into your door a little bit to fit the dowel properly if it's uneven.
You'll need to find a dowel that fits properly into the door (and you can even cut it so it fits better).
Then, you'll have to spread some glue (a carpenter's glue would work well) onto it, tap it into the hole using a hammer, and then cut it off with a saw as needed to align it with the door's surface.
Next, you can sand it down as necessary and paint over it. This process may not be easy if the door hasn't been removed from its hinges or door track, so you'd be better off doing so.
Attempting to fill the hole while the door is still attached may lead to mishaps and further damage to your door frame.
Be careful not to waste time and money by accidentally purchasing the incorrect size of wooden dowel. Make sure to do measurements beforehand of the size of the hole in your composite front door.
Try wood filler
While typically used for a wooden door, because composite doors are made out of a wooden core, you should be able to fix irregular holes with wood filler and some hardener.
Mix the wood filler with a little bit of hardener, and trowel it into the hole. Once the filler has adequately hardened, coat it with a drywall joint compound wherever the patch is exposed.
After this, you can cut off the excess and paint over it. This fix may or may not work well, depending on the design of your composite door. Make sure to do your research to see what materials your door is made of specifically.
Get it professionally fixed
If all else fails and the damage is too extensive, having your door professionally repaired might be the way to go. Although not the cheapest option, it's always reassuring to be able to put your trust in capable and competent hands.
FAQs
Can composite doors be repaired?
Yes, you can repair composite doors. Although they are pretty strong and known for their durability, these doors can still be damaged intentionally or through negligence.
You can either fix it yourself using something like wood filler, or you can have it professionally repaired. Remember, though, that the locking mechanism may prove trickier to fix yourself.
Can you patch a hole in the front door?
Yes, you can patch a hole in the front door. Although, the solution will vary depending on the problem.
If the hole is irregular, you may be able to use wood filler. However, if it's relatively straight, you might be able to hammer in a wood dowel.
What kind of paint do you use on composite doors?
You can't use regular paint when painting a new composite door. These kinds of doors are not just made from wood but also materials like uPVC and metal.
You'd want to avoid using latex paint and opt for oil-based enamels instead. You'll find everything you need to know about your composite door on our blog.
Considering Purchasing a New Door?
And if you're entirely out of options or have just decided that buying a newly built composite door is easier than going through all this trouble, then you'd do well to contact us. We've got a range of composite doors for you to choose from that you can find on our website.
Find the perfect fit for your home, and enjoy refreshing your front door.
