How Much do Composite Front Doors Cost?

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June 17, 2017

How Much do Composite Front Doors Cost?

Deciding what type of product to buy when you are looking getting a new, or replacing an old front door is probably one of the first thinks to think about alongside deciding on a budget.

With there being quite a few choices on the market, this article is aimed at explaining what composite door is, and what composite doors cost to install.

What is a composite door?

Sometimes mistakenly thought of as the same as a uPVC door, composite doors are manufactured in a very different way from a combination of tough and energy efficient materials in order to provide outstanding appearance, strength, security and durability.

The outer surface (skin) of a composite door is manufactured from GRP or Glass Reinforced Polyester. This material is itself made from small glass fibers and thermosetting resins. The sides, top & bottom are all clad in uPVC to form a complete seal around the door.

The GRP skin is pressure moulded in such as was as to produce a highly detailed surface which allows it to have a high gloss surface or one of the most realistic wood-grain effect finishes in the market.

Renowned for its strong, lightweight, temperature management and anti-corrosion properties, GRP has been used in the manufacture of surf-boards, canoes, car fenders and boat hulls for decades. Believe it or not, over 10% of the Eurofighter jets’ air-frame is made from GRP.

This GRP outer skin has within the core a centre filled with a polyurethane insulating foam (CFC free). This foam is injected under high pressure and forms a thermal barrier which can be up to 9 times more effective than a timber door.

Composite doors are generally “chunkier” than a standard uPVC or timber door (28 millimetres), with thicknesses of 44 to 48 millimetres. The composition of the door is a factor that can allow them to easily be modified slightly to meet rigorous “Fire Door” standards (FD30 doors resist fire & fumes for 30 minutes’ minimum).

As an alternative to the foam filled cores, you can find composite doors with solid timber cores. Some of the examples we know of would be 48mm thick, and the core would be made from LSL (laminated strand lumber) or engineered wood. This type of engineered timber has no “grain” and so helps greatly in eliminating expansion & contraction issues.

Composite door frames

You should be aware that if you are replacing an old 28mm door with a 44mm or 48mm version, then the existing door frame will need to be suitable to accept the thicker door – this could mean modification or replacement.

Most replacement doors of different thicknesses or materials should be fitted within a new frame because you will have a nightmare trying to get the new door to fit properly into the old frame.

What are the 10 best features of a composite front door?

The GRP skin – its exceptionally hard wearing and damage resistant.
The colour goes all the way through the GRP, it’s not like paint that you can scratch off.
Colour choice – 20 different colours, and you can have the inside, outside and frames in different colours within the same door.
Visual appearance – high gloss surface, or ultra-realistic wood texture surfaces.
Security – many composite doors are “Secured by Design” accredited.
Strength – damage resistant GRP out skin.
Energy efficiency – cold coming in or heat going out is all effectively managed when the door is closed.
Life span – a top quality composite door can last for 25+ years with a little care & attention. They don’t warp, shrink, crack or lose their colour.
Low maintenance – all you need to do is wash them occasionally.
Design choice – solid, 4 panel, 6 panel, sunburst – you name it, you can find it.

In summary

What you have in a composite front door is a value for money, visually stunning piece of engineering that will last a very long time, keep its’ looks and keep your home secure. In our opinion what more can you ask from a front door?

How much do composite front doors cost?

In terms of prices for composite doors, you can get variations depending on the material costs from supplier to supplier. There are also a lot of variations in labour costs across the country, as well as the fact that some jobs may require more or less labour than others.

How much does a Supply only composite front door cost?

For a 4 panel white composite door, you can find prices starting from around £540 to £600. The basic specification would include door furniture, frames and maximum dimensions (with cill) of 2123mm.

For a 4 panel black composite door, you can find prices starting from around £600 to £650. The basic specification would include door furniture, frames and maximum dimensions (with cill) of 2123mm.

There are options to buy the doors pre-hung into the frame – if you are looking to go DIY, then this is a great option to save you a lot of time & trouble setting the door correctly.

How much does a fully fitted composite front door cost?

Fully fitted 4 panel white composite door, prices starting from around £860 to £950. The basic specification would include removal and disposal of the old door and frame.

Fully fitted 4 panel cherry red composite door, prices starting from around £880 to £1050. The basic specification would include removal and disposal of the old door and frame.