Doors are an important part of every home and serve as much of an aesthetic purpose as a functional one. Each door is an entryway, and as such, it should be a representation of your personal style. The door is also a security feature crucial to making your home safe.
Our doors come in many shapes and sizes, colours and materials. At DK doors and windows, we offer aluclad, aluminium, uPVC and finally composite doors. All these modern materials are essential “theme variations” to a traditional wooden door.
Wood Doors
Wooden doors or Timber doors have been around for centuries. Some of the early mentions of wooden doors show that these were actually made from olive trees and were found in the Mediterranean and Middle East.
However, the earliest wooden door was made more than 5000 years ago and was found in Switzerland. The materials used on doors of that period were cedar wood, oak, cypress etc.
Through the years wooden doors have evolved but kept the same principle as their earliest ancestors. Timber doors are resilient, high quality, and most importantly are a perfect security measure. There are issues however, the biggest and most noticeable one being how hard they are to maintain. Wood is, as an organic material susceptible to decay under the constant effect of weather, and will create issues if not properly maintained.
The modern version of the traditional timber doors are Aluclad doors. Essentially a combination of aluminium and timber, aluclad doors are more resistant to weather and even tougher than their traditional counterparts.
Composite doors
Composite doors, on the other hand, are a modern product, constructed using GPR or “Glass reinforced plastic” as the main material. The main benefits of using glass reinforced plastic on a door are the strength and resistance. Surprisingly, composite has the same strength to weight ratio which can be compared to steel. The doors are completed with a thin layer of uPVC on the inside.
All of the above are the reasons why composite as a material is perfectly resistant to external effects such as heat, wind, rain, salt water etc. It does not warp or fade, and it can come in a variety of shapes and sizes. You can choose either the traditional door or the contemporary door. Composite is a highly moldable material which is why it can be made to imitate other materials (even wood).
With these doors you can choose the colour and type of glass on both the frame and the actual door, hinges, locking systems and more. The end product is a highly customized product which perfectly fits your needs.
Which door to choose?
In the end, the answer to the “wood or composite” question is not as straightforward as it may seem. Even though there are obvious advantages and disadvantages to each type of door, in the end, it all depends on your needs.
Traditional timber doors and aluclad doors, create a sense of style and quality which is unparalleled to any other set of doors. On the other hand, composite doors are easy to maintain, are almost as resistant, and can also come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
One point to consider would be the overall style and “feel” you’re trying to create/complete with a door. Going for a more traditional look wood is the obvious choice, but a modern atmosphere goes better with a set of composite doors.
Are you looking for patio doors, folding doors, or apeer doors? The type of door will also dictate the material used. The amount of space you want this door to cover would be an addition to the same question. Exterior doors are traditionally apeer and french doors. Patio doors can be lift and slide, tilt and slide or folding doors. Which type of door you get is also up to your personal preferences.
Another point is the security of the door. Composite doors are covered with fibreglass which is a highly resistant material, which is very hard to drill or cut. Timber is tough but can be drilled and cut, but in combination with aluminium, it becomes a virtually impenetrable material. Both materials will offer energy savings and help you lower the energy bill.
All of this may seem overwhelming, as choosing a perfect door can be a hard task. There are all these choices you have to make….
Luckily the DK doors and windows staff is here for you, helping you make the best choice and providing all the needed information at every step.
Be sure to contact us before making a choice when buying a door so we can help you find the perfect solution.
