Our homes, like their most crucial element, the front entrance, have undergone significant alterations over time. Composite doors are the most recent addition to the door family, which has hit homeowners. Unlike its predecessor, the composite door is made up of a combination of materials to address the drawbacks of single-material doors. 

On the other hand, composite doors allow you to custom-pick your materials to take advantage of their distinct characteristics. They provide a cost-effective alternative without sacrificing security or aesthetics, enabling you to strike the perfect balance between quality and design style without breaking the bank. 

This article will discuss some of the common issues that composite front doors face, like any other type of front door. Bespoke will go over some of the most common problems and how to solve them so you can be a composite door expert!

 Before we get there, it’s important to understand what we’re talking about when we say composite front doors.

WHAT IS A COMPOSITE DOOR?

Composite doors are made up of many elements, allowing for the combination of diverse materials to address typical issues (security, durability, and non-weatherproofing) encountered in uPVC/timber doors while also adding structural benefits. 

The variety of materials makes these doors more resilient, long-lasting, and strong. When it comes to composite doors, you have a lot of options. You may see some of our most popular entries in different houses to get a sense of how they appear.

What material is used to make composite doors?

Composite doors have a high-quality polyurethane core and are made of fibreglass. Fibreglass has several advantages, including greater security and durability and is windproof and waterproof. It is no longer likely to warp or bow, a common problem with uPVC and timber doors.

Composite front doors problems

Swelling door

Swelling is one of the most typical concerns with composite, uPVC, and timber doors during hot summer days. “Do composite front doors warp?” is the most frequently asked question. The truth is that any door can warp or swell, and it’s crucial to understand why because you may already be experiencing it in your home. An enormous door is one of the most common causes of swelling.

As the sun beams down on your doors, they will naturally swell and expand, making it harder to open and close them. If any of your entries face south, make sure you get one that allows for natural swelling. There’s also the issue of not properly closing a door. Yes, the way you approach a door can cause warping or bowing.

 Pull the handle (also known as flinging the handle) up when the door is closed, like a composite door. It ensures that the locks are firmly engaged, a little precaution that could save you the anguish of future harm. 

When doors are correctly closed, they run the risk of resting on a latch that only holds the middle of the door in place, allowing the top and bottom to distort or expand in the heat. You can save your money in the long run by flinging the handle each time you close the door!

Sticking Looks

Sticky locks are unpleasant, irritating, and can compromise home security. You may avoid this common problem and extend the life of your composite front door locks by doing some easy maintenance. 

WD-40 is popular for lubricating locks, but it might cause more harm than good. If your composite door has a sticky lock, use a grease lubricant once every six months. Never use grease or oil-based lubricants on your door cylinder. Instead, use oil made of silicone or graphite.

Dropped Hinges

Because composite doors have self-lubricating bearings, your hinges will require very little maintenance. It’s completely usual for door hinges to drop, even with routine maintenance, and you can even replace it yourself with the right tools. 

When a composite door is used frequently, the hinges can wear out. If this happens, a little hinge adjustment will fix the problem. Basic hinge maintenance, like stuck locks, is required from time to time and can be accomplished by spraying the hinges with a mild oil lubricant every couple of months.

Dropped Staining

Natural wear and tear, and discolouration, are unavoidable with composite doors. Weather stains may be present on your composite front door, as well as muddy paw prints or dirty handprints. Thankfully, you don’t have to be concerned because there is a simple and easy cure. 

To clean your door, all you need is a clean cloth and a light detergent mixed with water. If the stain is obstinate, you may need to clean the stain with something more powerful and safe for composite doors. Tea staining can appear on composite doors with stainless steel furnishings or glass trims. 

It is frequently mistaken for rust or corrosion; however, it generates by a build-up of oxidised surface impurities on stainless steel. It’s more noticeable on doors with knockers. Tea staining is less likely if any stainless steel parts on a composite door are cleaned regularly.

Drainage issues

Almost every external door has a built-in drainage system with holes to keep water out of your home. To avoid drainage problems, make sure the holes and slots are unblocked and free of any debris that could cause issues with water runoff. It’s worth checking once or twice a year to ensure it’s not blocked.

FADING

Due to exposure to the sun and other harsh weather conditions, your doors, like any other outside feature of your home, may fade and deteriorate over time. The corrosive impacts of these elements can wear down a door over time, resulting in a worn-out appearance.

While composite doors are less prone to wear and tear than other types of doors, they can eventually deteriorate. While you can’t polish or paint a composite door as you can a wood door, there are methods available to help you return the door to its original state. 

Multi-surface plastic restorers can help restore the look and feel of your door while also protecting it from further damage.

Conclusion

In truth, problems with composite doors are few and far between. Composite doors are a good fit for most homes in terms of styles, diversity, sheer appeal, and security. They outperform that lovely white uPVC! As a result, problems with composite doors will no longer be a concern. Sorted!