Since their introduction to the UK market in 1989, the choice of composite doors has expanded enormously. Many British manufacturers now produce composite doors, and there is a vast range to suit every property style.
What is a composite door? It is a door that is manufactured using a variety of materials (hence ‘composite’). Typically, GRP skins form the outer surfaces while, within a wood or steel frame containing striker plates for security, the core is packed with an insulating material – either foam or engineered timber. The door sits in a bespoke reinforced uPVC frame. Outer frames need not be white – in many cases, they can be coloured to match the door or to provide an attractive contrast.
The advantages of composite doors include:
* Energy efficiency
* The look of a timber door but without the need for regular maintenance
* High security
* Quality feel
* Long life
Compared with timber or u-PVC doors, are there any disadvantages? Not really – although, to avoid problems, accurate measuring and expert fitting are essential. Having the door fitted professionally by a reputable company such as Admiral brings a guarantee not just on the door and its outer frame but also on the door’s installation and operation.
At Admiral we continually check the market for the highest quality composite doors at the best prices. The ranges we supply and fit in 2018 are described below.
Solidor composite doors are 48mm thick and feature solid hardwood cores instead of foam cores. Because the timber core is protected by the GRP skin, the door is resistant to warping and bowing. These hefty high-end doors let you feel the quality every time they are opened. Solidor doors have achieved BSI ISO 9001, and are BSI kite-marked. Every Solidor door features an Ultion lock as standard – If a break-in occurs as a result of a lock snapping, Ultion will give you £1000. Solidor manufacture doors in a wide range of styles, from traditional to modern.
Residor is Solidor’s more affordable composite door range. These also come with Ultion locks as standard. Residor composite doors feature foam slab inners that are surrounded by a strong 3.6 mm GRP skin – this is more than twice the thickness of the GRP skins on most other manufacturers’ composite doors.
Visage doors are made by Shepley – a leading British fabricator. Visage use Rehau outer frames and can also supply side screens with glass to match the door. Operating at a smaller production scale than some other manufacturers, Shepley are able to offer excellent after sales support. The door pictured below is the Visage Balmoral that secures our Chilton site office.
All Phoenix door designs feature thermally-efficient foam cores. The Phoenix Meridian range is a rebated door design, which provides an additional weather-strip to enhance thermal and weathering performance Meridian doors are 70 mm thick and feature triple glazing as standard. Phoenix state that their 70 mm Meridian doors are 19% more thermally efficient than 48mm solid timber core composite doors.
Phoenix also offers the Sovereign Collection (also known as The County Collection). These are excellent affordable 44 mm composite doors.
Quick comparison chartSolidorResidorPhoenix MeridianPhoenix SovereignVisageThickness48 mm44 mm70 mm44 mm44 mmCore materialwoodfoamfoamfoamfoamLockingUltionUltionYaleYaleYaleSecured by DesignOptionalOptionalStandardOptionalOptionalColour choices206111218
Most composite door styles can be specified to meet the Secured by Design (SBD) standard. SBD is a Police accreditation scheme that provides homeowners with an independent assurance that their new windows and doors have been manufactured and tested to pre-defined security standards. Depending on the size of the glazed area, the glass will often be laminated in order to meet SBD compliance.
Call Admiral today for your free no-obligation composite door quote – 01865 788333.
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