Entrance Doors... A warm welcome
Your front door makes an important statement. It's the first thing people see, so you want it to be stylish and welcoming. But you also want it to be strong and secure, because not all visitors are welcome ones. Official crime statistics from The Home Office confirm that 67% of burglars break in through the door.
We offer probably the largest range of doors anywhere in the UK. We can install PVC-U doors, composite doors, sliding patio doors, French/double doors, bi-folding doors, the list goes on and on.
Choosing your front door can be a daunting task. Between the different styles, colours, decorative glazing, and hardware options, we think that there are around 20,000 different options to choose from. Contact us for some helpful tips on choosing your door.
What’s the difference between PVC-u and composite doors?
This is a question that we get asked on a regular basis.
What is a PVC-u door? - PVC-u doors have been the most popular type of replacement doors for a number of years. The term ‘PVC-u’ stands for polyvinyl chloride - unplasticised, which may sound like gibberish, but it really just means it’s a plastic that excels in performance and durability thanks to it being hard as opposed to flexible.
The reason that PVC-u doors are so popular is that for many people they’re the most affordable and practical choice, but they also offer many additional benefits such as low maintenance, a high rate of thermal efficiency, high security and long lasting.
What is a composite door? - A composite door is a door that is made up of a variety of materials but the materials themselves can vary. In the majority of cases, a composite door is a culmination of a solid timber core, glass reinforced plastic and even some PVC-u. When these materials are combined, they create a door that is both incredibly strong and exceptionally durable.
Composite doors have become more and more popular in recent years. In no small part this is down to the fact that as well as becoming better, stronger and more secure, with more choice of designs, colours and glazing than ever before, the prices have also been reduced so that often they don't cost much more than a PVC-u door.
At Ultimate, we offer both PVC-u and composite doors. Get in touch and one of our experts will help you choose the best choice for your particular requirements.
Should I get a uPVC or composite door?
Now that you know what both doors are, you might be wondering which of the two is better for your home and needs. It should first be noted that composite doors are generally more expensive than PVC-u doors but there are certain benefits that are enhanced with a composite door that aren’t with a uPVC counterpart.
As previously mentioned, a composite door is very strong and sturdy, more so than PVC-u, but they’re also more customisable. PVC-u doors can be customised to an extent but not to the scale of a composite door. Their flexibility in design allows for a wide range of colours, textures, glass options and furnishings that aren’t available with a standard uPVC door.
In addition to enhanced security and customisation, a composite door is more weather-resistant and on average requires less maintenance than a PVC-u door. These observations aren’t made to discredit PVC-u as a valid option for your doors but just to inform you of what you get when you stretch the budget a little further for composite doors.
For the majority of people, a PVC-u door is a brilliant addition to their property that serves them well for many, many years so don’t be discouraged from getting one for your property.