Composite Door Shop

Custom Made Front Doors Quick

Caroline Chapman — Mon, 03 Oct 2011 13:56:57 +0000

If you are in the market for a new front door and you need one fast, we can supply a custom built composite door in as little as 3 days. Choose the specification you like from our many options, preview your design, enter your measurements and order today. We will send you an email with your delivery date in under 24 hours. For most specifications, this date is usually just 3 working days from the point of confirmation.

So if you are looking to replace a broken front door in a hurry, look no further. Composite doors offer superb value for money, with a lifespan of around 35 years - much longer than any other type of front door. Once your composite door is installed there is virtually nothing to worry about for the lifespan of the door. The low maintenance door only requires the occasional oiling at the hinges and a wipe down when it gets dirty and that is it!
Composite doors have been designed with exceptional precision, which enables them to cope with day to day usage in a much greater way than other front doors. Wooden and uPVC front doors gradually wear away and become affected by extreme weather which either rots them or warps them. Composite doors resist weathering and are far more stable during heat changes, so you can enjoy using your door for many years without worrying about when you will have to fix or replace it. With a long insurance-backed guarantee, in the unlikely event of a fault, you can rest assured that it will be sorted out quickly and efficiently.

Cheap Composite Doors?

Caroline Chapman — Thu, 25 Aug 2011 19:18:08 +0000

Good value? Affordable? Definitely! But we do not stock cheap composite doors. Our composite doors are top quality and come with a very comprehensive guarantee to give you complete peace of mind when choosing to buy from us.
While we offer superb doors that are budget-friendly, we do not think of our composite doors as being 'cheap'. This is because cheap doors bring to mind flimsy, low-quality doors that do not last. One of the main reasons our composite doors are such great value is that they are built to last - meaning that over time you feel the benefits of quality instead of suffering because of 'false economy'.
uPVC front doors are a prime example of cheap front doors. Most commonly they are flimsy doors that change shape over time, so that years down the line you end up with a range of problems, such as the door sticking in the frame or gaps appearing between the door and the frame where draughts come in.
Our composite doors are made from an engineered timber frame and a PVC sub-frame to keep the door rigid. The face of the door is tough and durable but lightweight fibreglass, styled to appear exactly as grained wood. The composite door is injected with a thermal foam that ensures the best insulation. The design of the door is such that it does not react to changes in heat like uPVC or wooden doors do. It keeps its shape throughout its long lifespan, giving continuous easy operation and protection from the elements and potential threats to the security of your property.

If you are looking for a cheap front door, it is advisable to work out the lifespan and energy efficiency of each door to work out the true value. The cheapest option at the time may not work out to be the cheapest option in the long run and you could end up paying out to have to replace the door sooner than you hope, whilst missing out on the decent quality you could have enjoyed.

Composite doors blog

Top 5 Front Door Styles

Caroline Chapman — Fri, 12 Aug 2011 15:20:35 +0000

The front door is often the first impression that your home gives, or at least a big part of that vital first impression. The right front door gives off the impression of a well-tended, stylish and secure home. To get this, you need to find a door that is durable and easy-to-clean or low in maintenance, so that it will remain looking good without too much effort. It will need to be in a style that suits the rest of the home, as well as looking good in itself. Lastly, it needs to be made from strong materials so that it doesn't appear flimsy or easily weakened.

Composite Door Style #1 - Kensington front door

The Kensington front door is probably one of the most popular composite doors due to its simple design, which allows it to fit unobtrusively in many different styles of home. The design can be personalised by choosing different colours or different glass designs to fit in the two rectangular windows.

Composite Door Style #2 - Chigwell front door

Very similar to the Kensington, but with slightly angled glass at the top, keeping the simple design but setting it apart slightly.

Composite Door Style #3 - Dalston front door

The Dalston composite door has two arched windows, giving it a softer look than the Kensington.

Composite Door Style #4 - Mayfair front door

The Mayfair composite door is a very smart design, with a range of glass options. Many people opt just to have a one glass Mayfair front door - which is an arch or a wheel window at the top. Allowing light in without anyone being able to see in. Others opt for the 3 glass Mayfair - which has two rectangular windows and an arch at the top.

Composite Door Style #5 - Finsbury front door

The Finsbury composite door has a large arched window, allowing plenty of light into the house. Certain glass designs can be used to obscure the view and protect privacy, while still allowing light to enter.

Composite Doors Blog

Exterior Front Doors

Caroline Chapman — Fri, 08 Jul 2011 14:01:51 +0000

When people first visit your home, the front door is the first impression they will get. Even if you are someone that does not care much about appearances, imagine how a worn out front door with peeling paint and cracks would look to a potential attacker. Your home would look vulnerable, like and easy target, with poor security.
A good front door not only smartens your home and gives a great first impression, but it protects you from all manner of things - both poor weather conditions as well as intruders.
When you know what to look for, choosing a new front door does not have to be a difficult job. You can confidently choose the perfect door for your home and situation. Using independent reviews and other customer's feedback, you can choose a reputable front door company with a quality product. Choose a colour and style that suits the style of the rest of your home. Think carefully about this; regardless of the quality and condition of your new front door, if it is a colour that clashes, it will look tacky and out-of-place.
The type of front doors is dependant mainly on your budget, although it is worthwhile to spend extra if possible to get the best quality and good longevity. Composite doors are the most modern door available. Because they are so new, they are relatively unheard of, and it is a common misconception that uPVC doors are the most modern front door on the market due to this.
Composite doors have a highly attractive appearance and are some of the most desirable front doors around, in that they look like wood but have all the benefits of modern technology advances. These benefits include a greater longevity, greater protection from the elements and higher security levels.

Composite Doors Blog

Composite Doors Improve Your Home

Caroline Chapman — Wed, 29 Jun 2011 15:13:18 +0000

Making changes to your home can be a costly process. Some changes are purely for aesthetic reasons and only result in increased pleasure in the appearance of your home. Many changes will alter the use or efficiency of your home, which can give results such as saving time and saving money. If you are on a tight budget, as many people are at the moment, it is best to prioritise these improvements so that those that give you the best results or save you the most money, which you can later reinvest in the lower priority improvements. Poorly planned and unnecessary improvements can end up costing more than expected or have poor results.

A good place to start is often insulation. This can include several different things; loft insulation, wall cavity insulation, double glazed windows and insulated doors. Each one helps to reduce the amount of heat that escapes your home, which can bring massive savings in your heating and energy bill each year.

Composite doors can be used as front doors or as back doors. These modern, wood-look doors are better insulated than any other door. Although uPVC front doors are pretty efficient, composite doors are built to last much longer and phase out any of the issues found in other types of door. They are built from an outer shell, which can either be made from light fibreglass or uPVC, grained and coloured to look like wood, and filled with an insulating core. This insulating core is either made up from polystyrene in cheaper composite doors, or an insulating foam that is pumped into the core. Any glazing in the door is either double or triple glazing, ensuring heat is not lost. Because old flaws have been designed out of composite doors, they remain tight fitting in the door frame, so there are no gaps to allow in draughts.

Composite Doors Blog

New Front Door Hardware

Caroline Chapman — Mon, 16 May 2011 15:11:24 +0000

When it comes to buying a new front door, you may be given a range of options to choose from. Although this may seem daunting to most, with a little knowledge it can be beneficial to choose exactly what is right for you.
To get a quick composite door, sometimes it is best to choose the default options. In the case of hardware, this makes no difference.

Hinges:
Often a choice between butt and flag hinges. Butt hinges are more discreet, but are set in place, whereas flag hinges are easily adjustable.

Handles:
Different handles allow for different functions. For example, a split lever handle allows the handles to work independently of one another. Access from the outside requires a key at all times, whereas inside the door can be opened without a key unless the locks have been thrown and the door is dead bolted. The handle has a lever design on both sides. The lever pad handle functions the same as a split lever handle, so is perfect for front doors, but on the external side there is a pad handle instead of a lever. The inside handle remains a lever. Lever lever handles are standard in back doors. This design gives the same function to both handles - when the door is locked, a key is required on both sides to unlock. When unlocked, the door remains unlocked from both sides.

Additional options:
Additional options include anything that is not vital to the doors function. These are mostly options that would be used on front doors but not on back doors.
Practical options include letter plates (letter boxes), door numbers and door knockers.
Security options include spy holes, so you can see who is calling before you open the door, and security chains that allow you to open the door slightly - just enough to talk to someone or pass letters and small packages without the risk of them pushing open the door and gaining access.
Spy holes can be integrated into door knockers, if both are desired.

Composite Door Shop Blog

New Front Door Choices

Caroline Chapman — Thu, 10 Mar 2011 15:18:11 +0000

When buying a new front door, you want enough choices so that you can select exactly what you need in a new front door. These options might include things like the appearance - a range of different colours will increase the chances of finding one that matches the rest of your property. There are (or should be) a multitude of other appearance choices, from different hardware shapes and finishes to different style front doors and different glass patterns. The material of the door could also count as part of the appearance, but with many doors mimicking the appearance of wood, it is easier to choose which is best suited for your budget and worry about the appearance of the material afterwards.
It is important to figure out how much installation will cost, if you do not choose to have it installed by the supplier. Some suppliers do not offer a choice and you will have to find your own trustworthy installer. This can be a headache, but there are governing associations that can help guide you in the right direction. Alternatively, you may know someone with enough experience to carry out the work themselves. Regardless of past experience, it is vital to read the recommended installation process that is often given by the supplier, to ensure the perfect fit and reduce the risk of damage or accidents.
Many online companies offer the best range of options at the best price. Shopping online can make it easier to compare companies and find reviews from customers on third-party websites. Without using the internet, shopping for a new front door could involve a lot of time and effort. First you have to look up potential companies, then travel to each one (during business hours), browse what could be a large number of products, keep note of each to do a comparison, possibly do your own research and taking a second look at the companies you narrow it down to before actually buying.

Composite Doors Blog

Caring for Your Replacement Front Door

Caroline Chapman — Thu, 27 Jan 2011 18:34:47 +0000

To make sure your door is always looking its best, and to get the greatest longevity from your front door, it is vital to give it the care and maintenance it needs. An un-maintained door can dramatically reduce the lifespan of the door, sometimes by as much as half (depending on the location, weather conditions and amount of use). The level of care and maintenance depends entirely on the door; what it is made from, how it is finished and what components it includes.

Wooden front doors require the highest level of care and maintenance. This is mostly because wood is porous and as well as being easily affected by the rain and snow, it can absorb water even in damp atmospheres. To prevent rotting, wooden doors need a good finish and this finish needs to be kept in good condition to ensure continued protection. In addition to protecting the wood, the finish often fades and discolours over time and needs redoing to keep it looking smart and bright.

uPVC doors are often thought of as the easiest to care for. Because of their plastic construction, there is no fear of rotting as with wood. Keeping the door clean from dirt is pretty easy - most of the time it just requires a quick wipe with a damp, soapy cloth. Unfortunately, a special cleaner is required to really get the best from your front door.

Composite doors are actually the easiest to care for. No special cleaner is required, and the wooden appearance won't fade or discolour. Maintenance is mostly required for the hinges - just a simple oil to keep them functioning smoothly. This is because the doors were designed to use different materials to provide the best - a great looking, high quality, long lasting, secure and insulating door.

Composite Doors Blog

Making an Impact with a Composite Door and Composite Side Panels

Caroline Chapman — Fri, 10 Dec 2010 15:15:34 +0000

Setting your home apart from others can be a difficult task, especially when it comes to generic features such as the front door. Even if your home is not on an estate where the surrounding homes are exactly the same style, it can be difficult to find a front door that both suits your property and your personal taste, whilst setting you apart from the others.
Front doors come in many different materials, styles and colours. Choosing a less popular option can assist with a unique appearance, but there's usually a reason why the options are not popular. Most of the time, this is due to the price. uPVC front doors, for example, are some of the most popular doors used in homes today. This is because they are both cheap in price and efficient. Wooden doors would create a more individual look, and are far more customisable than plastic, but unfortunately the price is much higher, preventing it from being an option for many people.
To give your home a smart entrance that reflects your personality, consider more than just the front door. Porches can be used, either as a simple lattice or sheltered area in front of the door which can be decorative or as an extension to your home, providing a secure area with many advantages. Another feature you can consider, are windows. Glazing can be used around the door area, giving the advantage of allowing additional light into the hallway. Clear glazing is most common, but for added privacy large windows can be glazed with a patterned obscure glass. For a really unique look, you can choose a composite door with a decorative glazing and matching composite side panels. This provides a high level of security as well as a smart and easy to maintain appearance that is not as expensive as wood.

Composite Doors Blog

Front Door Fitting

Caroline Chapman — Thu, 25 Nov 2010 16:19:14 +0000

When buying a front door from a large home improvement store, it is often you will have to either fit it yourself or find a qualified fitter to do the job for you. The cost of hiring a qualified fitter varies greatly and it can be difficult to know if they are truly trustworthy. A poorly qualified fitter could do damage to your new front door or even your home and without the proper insurance you could be left trying to sort out the mess yourself. It is important to note that if you plan on selling your house, most front door installations will require some form of registration or clearance from the appropriate authorities.
The best option is to buy from a more specialised front door supplier. In most cases, a specialised supplier will also have a team that can provide advice and installation services. A trustworthy company with the correct qualifications and certification should provide a comprehensive service, leaving you little to worry about. This service should include a survey of the doorway to ensure the correct size and hardware is used. Then the front door should be made or ordered to your requirements and fitted appropriately. When your front door has been fitted, the installer should test all functions to ensure it has been installed correctly and is not defective. Before leaving, you should be provided with all relevant information and the work area should be cleared up and all rubbish removed. A good company will offer to take away the old door for appropriate disposal. The cost of a full service like this from a specialist does vary but should be competitive with other similar companies. While checking the credentials of the company, make sure to check not only the length but the terms of the warranty. Both the door and the installation should have a guarantee of some form.

Composite Doors Blog