It can be difficult to put an exact price on composite doors due to the significantly wider range of styles, colours, glazing options, and choice of accessories than other types of doors. However, as a rough guide the parameters of composite doors prices will likely fall somewhere between the following:
For supply only composite doors
A budget price door with minimum cost accessories could be around £550-£600.
A top of the range door with all of the high-quality accessories could be about £1,200-£1,400.
For fitted composite doors
In a lot of areas of the country this should be achievable for around £300-£400 but for certain prominent regions all of the above could at least double in price.
How much your composite door will cost will really come down to two main factors, your personal style preferences, and your budget. You will want to consider the features and options below when looking at composite doors to give you a greater insight into the kind of price you will be getting for the exact doors you want for your home.
The quality of the door
Like with any type of door you will want to go with a high-quality manufacturer to ensure you are getting the most for your money. Most companies that produce composite doors will provide a good guarantee or warranty and some with a CFC-free insulation polyurethane (PU) foam or laminated hardwood core, the latter being more expensive.
Style
As the creation of styles demands varying amounts of work (setting up templates/waste etc) most companies will price different styles at different prices. If one style is especially popular and manufactured in large quantities it could be discounted.
Colours
A lot of manufacturers do not alter their price for choice of colours unless you need something non-standard that requires colour bonding from a specialist company, which is an expensive option.
Glazing
There can be a huge difference in price depending on the type of glazing you want. For example, there is a clear gap between a standard double glazed panel and a coloured leaded glass double glazed panel and there are several variables between these extremes.
Accessories
As technology in the industry has advanced, there are now a huge array of styles when it comes to handles, knockers, letter plates, etc, in a minimum of at least four colours for most manufacturers.
Locking systems
There is a general standard of multi-point locking systems in composite doors, but the choice, price, and security of the lock cylinder can vary dramatically.
Geographical location
Your geographical location is especially relevant if you are looking to have your composite door installed. There are certain areas in the UK where finding the right tradesmen or attempting delivery of your door will come at a premium which is reflected in the overall cost. Also, if you live in an area where the weather is particularly forceful, it may affect the features you are wanting for your new door as a high level of weatherproofing will be a key priority.
Choice of company and the service
Doors can be a highly competitive market and some manufacturers/installers will offer discounts to potential customers, whereas others will stand by their reputations for the quality of their products and service.
What are the benefits of composite doors?
It is all very well talking about the price of composite doors but how do you know if they are the right type of doors for you? They are still fairly new to the market and homeowners may not be as familiar with what they can offer. We’re going to take a look at the key benefits of composite doors below, so you know what you are getting for your money and you can make an informed decision on if they are worth the investment.
Composite doors give your home the ‘wow factor’
No matter if you opt for a more contemporary composite front door or a traditional one, you can be sure that it will give the front of your home a striking appearance. Traditional composite doors are perfect for older properties or adding a classic twist to a newer home. These doors are great for homeowners that are looking for a higher class and more visually appealing front door without taking away the traditional appearance of the house. Making the most of the benefits of uPVC and double glazing with a more classic look makes composite doors a useful solution for a lot of homeowners.
Modern designed composite doors are also great for contemporary homes and homeowners looking for a high-class front door that works in tandem with the ultramodern appearance of their property.
They are strong and durable
Composite doors are designed with strength and durability in mind with an insulating foam core and strong outer frame. Their resilience and longevity make them an ideal choice for residential use in any environment. Composite doors are made up of multiple materials to ensure all the benefits of each one can be maximised, creating the perfect door. With that in mind, an expanded mesh reinforcing is added to the super strong, high-density core, alongside a strong vertical steel bar that all together far exceeds general security standards.
Need little to no maintenance
One of the biggest advantages of composite doors is that they don’t require time consuming and expensive maintenance to keep them in a new and pristine condition. Unlike traditional timber doors, composite doors do not have a tendency to fade, warp, or crack, and you don’t have to worry about repainting them. An easy wipe down with a warm soapy cloth is all that is needed to keep your door looking as good as new.
Provide impressive levels of thermal efficiency
Thanks to the materials involved in the manufacturing of composite doors, their thermal efficiency is second to none. When you have a composite door installed in your home you will immediately feel more heat being prevented from escaping which makes each room feel more comfortable, particularly in the cold winter months. Also, it can help save you money on your energy bills as if your home is feeling warmer you won’t need to put your central heating on as often.
Noticeable noise reduction
As well as giving your home impressive energy efficiency, the structure of a composite door makes it the ideal solution for busy urban areas and homes on main roads. This means that unwanted noise will be reduced, and you can enjoy peace and quiet in your home no matter where you live.
A broad range of colour options
Your front door is the first point of contact for guests coming to your home, meaning it is your first chance to make an impression. Composite doors have become well known for being available in a wide selection of colours, so you can find one that will suit your preferences and the style of your home best. Also, due to the quality of the door you can feel confident that no matter what colour you choose it will remain that colour and not fade with time.
High standard of security
The enhanced level of security is another main reason why composite doors have become so popular with homeowners in recent years. A composite door can offer impressive protection against potential intruders with an anti-drill, anti-pick, and anti-snap cylinder. It is the combination of effective locks and a strong frame that work to keep your home secure.
Effective weather protection
As previously mentioned, certain locations might experience more severe weather conditions than others. With composite doors though, it does not matter where you live as they come with effective watertight seals and the overall structure of the door providing superior strength and durability, your door will be able to withstand any force of nature. Also, draughts won’t be a problem in your home with a composite door, so you can stay comfortable all year round.
Extensive options for personalisation
To add the finishing touches to your new composite door you might be interested in attractive and secure hardware. You can choose from letter plates, knockers, and handles, all in a selection of colours including white, black, gold, chrome, or silver to match your style and the look of your home.
Are there any drawbacks to composite doors?
As we have seen there are a lot of benefits to choosing composite doors, but when you are weighing up an important and potentially costly investment, it is important to know the full picture and if there are any downsides before committing to a new composite door.
They are more expensive than uPVC
One of the main drawbacks of composite doors is the whole question of this article, their cost. When you are shopping around for a new front or back door, it could be that the price tag of composite doors is higher than other materials which is likely to be the number one reason why homeowners might be put off purchasing one for their property.
As we have said there isn’t one exact figure that sums up the cost of composite doors, there are too many factors involved that have an influence on the price, but for homeowners on a strict budget composite doors could be difficult to accommodate. If this is the case for you, uPVC is a cheaper and popular alternative that can still give you good performance. However, even though the cost is seen as a disadvantage, the reason behind the higher price is simply that you are getting what you pay for.
With all the benefits and high-quality features discussed above, there needs to be a price to match. Therefore, the cost is covering the various customisations, the strength and durability, the low maintenance, the noise reduction, the energy efficiency, and so much more. In these categories composite doors are uncontested to other types of front and back doors.
Composite doors creaking
The other drawback to composite doors is that they have been reported in some cases to creak during hot weather. In the summer when the sun has been beating down on your house all day, heating up your doors and windows, later in the evening or earlier in the morning, you might hear a slight creaking coming from your door.
Also, because of the previously mentioned security benefits, you know that nobody is breaking in. So, you don’t have to be alarmed, the noise is just the plastics inside the door expanding and contracting due to the heat. As the door gets hot, you might find it a bit harder to close (this is largely as a result of a door being too big for a door frame) and in turn, you might hear a creaking noise. Vice versa when the door cools down and is going back to normal size, you might hear the noise at night (when the air is cooler).
This issue does not happen to every homeowner who purchases a composite door and tends to be noticeable if the door has been poorly installed. So, it is more of a minor inconvenience than a serious issue that needs addressing.
Are composite doors worth the cost?
Ultimately, only you can decide if the cost of a composite door is worth it for you and your home. Having a budget in mind and a list of requirements you are looking for in your next front or back door is a good place to start. You will likely find that a composite door will tick a lot of boxes for you as it has extensive benefits and features and is highly adaptable to fit with a homeowners style, but it really comes down to personal preference.
We hope that we have answered the question of the cost of composite doors sufficiently and given you all the information you need to decide if composite doors are the right choice for you. We certainly think that if you have the money, you are looking for that higher quality and standard, and you have a particular style and design in mind, then a composite door is a great investment in any home and the benefits far outweigh any drawbacks.