We supply and fit made-to-measure composite door sets in Clerkenwell, for front, back and side entrances. This page is for homeowners who want a door that looks like painted timber but is tougher, warmer and needs far less care. You will learn how composite doors are made, the styles on offer, what drives the cost and how to choose.
A composite door is made from several materials pressed together into one thick slab. Each layer does a job. The core gives strength and warmth. The outer skin keeps out the weather and holds its colour. The result is a door that feels solid when you close it. We are a local double glazing firm, and our installers are FENSA registered.
How a Composite Door Is Made
Most composite doors share the same basic build:
- The core. Either solid timber or a dense insulating foam. A timber core feels heavier. A foam core keeps more heat in.
- The frame inside the slab. A strong edge frame, often in timber or a reinforced plastic, holds the hinges and locks.
- The skin. A tough glass reinforced plastic (GRP) skin on both faces. It is moulded with a woodgrain texture and coloured right through.
- The outer frame. The door hangs in a sturdy uPVC or aluminium frame, fixed to your wall.
The slab is usually around 44mm to 48mm thick. That is thicker than most uPVC panel doors, which is part of why composite feels so solid.
See also our guide to porches.
Styles, Colours and Glass
Composite doors come in a wide range of designs. You can choose a look that suits a Victorian terrace or a new build.
Styles
- Traditional. Raised panels and small glass panes, often with a fanlight above.
- Cottage. Vertical boards with a small window, for a rural or period feel.
- Contemporary. Flat faces, slim glass strips and long bar handles.
- Stable doors. Split across the middle so the top can open on its own.
Colours
There are many colours to choose from, including red, blue, green, grey, black and cream. Many doors can be one colour outside and white inside. The colour goes right through the skin, so small scratches are hard to see.
Glass
You can have plain, frosted, bevelled or leaded glass. All glass is double glazed, toughened or laminated, and fitted from the inside. Side panels and fanlights add light to a dark hallway.
For a front door, see our full range on the front doors page. For a pair of doors to the garden, see French doors, which we also make in composite.
Security Features
Composite doors are among the most secure doors you can buy for a home. The thick slab is hard to break through. On top of that, every door we fit includes:
- a multi-point lock with hooks and bolts along the edge;
- an anti-snap, anti-bump, anti-drill cylinder;
- strong hinges with security pins;
- laminated glass in glazed designs;
- a letter plate with a draught and security flap.
Many of our composite doors are tested to PAS 24, the UK door security standard. Several also carry Secured by Design, the police-backed scheme. Ask us which ones meet these when you choose.
Keeping Your Home Warm
A thick, insulated core stops heat leaking through the door. Seals all round the frame stop cold air coming in at the edges. Double glazed units with a low-E coat keep heat in through any glass panes.
Under Part L of the Building Regulations, a replacement door must reach a U-value of 1.4 W/m²K or better. Our composite doors are built to meet this. As FENSA members, we register the work, and you get a certificate to keep with your house papers.
A new door works best with good windows. If you also plan to change your windows, see our double glazing windows page. We can match colours and finishes.
What Drives the Cost of Composite Doors
We do not list fixed prices, as every door is made to measure. These are the main things that affect the price:
- Size. A taller or wider door needs a bigger slab and frame.
- Side panels and fanlights. Extra glazed panels add material and labour.
- Glass. Decorative, leaded or bevelled glass costs more than plain.
- Colour. A dual colour, or a colour on both faces, costs more.
- Hardware. Long bar handles, door knockers, numerals and smart locks add up.
- Core type. A solid timber core can cost more than a foam core.
- Opening repairs. A worn sill, a damaged reveal or a new step adds time.
After a free survey, we give you a written, fixed quote. It lists the door spec, the work and the payment stages. You can ask for a quote online.
Fitting Your Composite Door
Our full process, from survey to aftercare, is on how we work. In short, we measure, order your door to size, fit it and check it works well before we leave.
Composite doors are made to order, so we measure with care. Once the door arrives, most fits take less than a day. We take out the old door and frame, fit the new frame level and square, and hang the door. We then seal the frame inside and out, make good the plaster and test every lock. We take the old door away with us.
Composite Compared With Other Doors
Here is how composite stacks up against the other main choices:
- uPVC panel doors cost less and are warm, but feel lighter and look less like timber.
- Aluminium doors have slim frames and a modern look, with a wide colour range.
- Timber doors look classic but need painting and can swell or warp in wet weather.
Composite sits in the middle. It has the look of timber, the low upkeep of uPVC and strong security. For more on frame materials, read our uPVC vs aluminium guide. You can see every door type on our main double glazing doors page.
Caring for Your Composite Door
- Wipe the door with warm soapy water every few months.
- Oil the lock and hinges once a year.
- Check the seals and keep the drain holes in the frame clear.
- Polish chrome or gold hardware with a soft cloth.
Do not use bleach, solvents or scourers, as they can harm the skin. Every door we fit comes with our 10-year guarantee.
Frequently Asked Questions
Are composite doors suitable for homes near the coast?
Yes. The GRP skin does not rot, rust or swell, so it copes well with salt air and rain. The colour goes right through the skin, so it resists fading. Near the sea, wash the door and hardware more often to remove salt. Choose marine-grade or high-grade hardware if you can. Oil the lock and hinges a little more often too.
How do you clean and maintain a composite door?
Wipe the door with a soft cloth and warm soapy water every few months. Rinse and dry it to avoid streaks. Oil the lock and hinges once a year. Keep the drain holes in the frame clear and check the seals for gaps. Never use bleach, solvents or scourers, as these can mark the skin and dull the finish.
Can composite doors be painted?
Composite doors come in a finished colour from the factory, so they do not need painting. You can paint the skin with a suitable primer and paint if you want a new colour later. However, this may affect your guarantee, and the paint will need care like a timber door. It is best to choose a colour you love when you order.
How long does a composite door last?
A good composite door should last for many years with basic care. The slab and skin do not rot or warp. The moving parts, such as the lock and hinges, may need adjusting or replacing over time. That is a small, low-cost job. Every door we fit comes with our 10-year guarantee for peace of mind.
Are composite doors eco-friendly?
A composite door helps your home lose less heat, thanks to its thick insulated core and good seals. That means your heating does less work. The door lasts a long time and needs no painting, so there is less waste over the years. Some makers use recycled material in the frame. Ask us about the options when you choose your door.
