What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

11th April 2019

What should you be looking for when considering replacing your entrance doors? The door is often the first thing people see when they visit and also the first place someone might try in the unfortunate event of attempting a break in. So why is it often forgotten about when it comes to Home Improvements in Edinburgh and the Lothians?

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

What are the main factors you should be thinking about when purchasing a new door? Below, we outline the main differences between a Composite Door and PVCu Door:

MATERIALS

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

COMPOSITE DOOR

Manufactured to the highest calibre and thoroughly tested to beyond industry standards, this energy efficient fibreglass composite door provides excellent thermal and sound insulation. Its strength comes from the construction of its sub-frame in solid, water-resistant polymer material, reinforced with Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL). The depression moulded GRP skins, giving the authentic timber look, are then bonded to this subframe and its core filled with high density, 100% CFC-free polyurethane foam. The fully reinforced, triple sealed outer frame, the multipoint security locking system and the unique adjustable hinges make the Composite door a real heavyweight performer that retains an amazingly light, yet positive easy feel. With a huge range of striking colours, two wood grain effects, plus of course brilliant white as standard, give your door that individual touch. With a wide and varied range of plain or decorative glazing options... the possibilities are endless.

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

PVCu DOOR

PVCu doors are bright, modern and attractive and boast many standard features. PVCu doors are virtually maintenance free and because they are made from a single material, they do not rot, rust, warp or fade, meaning all they need to keep them looking pristine is an occasional wipe with a damp cloth. PVCu doors can be glazed with either an Energy Efficient glazing system or decorative PVCu panel, which come in a variety of options. This means lots of options when it comes to the look and design of the door. A high-performance multipoint locking system means your home will be warm and secure, keeping noise, draughts and unwanted visitors out! Fitted with superior, modern furniture including heavy duty hinges and letter plates in a range of colours, PVCu doors are available in virtually any configuration, with open in and open out options and combination side screens.

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

SECURITY

Though we talk about door styles and trends, the main focus when purchasing a PVCu door or Composite door, is safety. Here at Bryant and Cairns we are always looking for the best resolutions and highest standards of product.

COMPOSITE DOORS

With our 3 Star locking system fitted as standard to all of our Composite doors, you will sleep well knowing you have the best locking system available and ultimate means of stopping any intruder getting into your home.

The shocking statistics show that it would take an intruder no longer than 9 seconds to break through your standard front door lock. Our 3 Star cylinder and locking system offers unrivalled levels of security to keep your home and your family safe.

Combined with a high security handle and letterplate, our composite doors achieve Secured By Design to give you the peace of mind you need.

PVCu DOORS

Standard PVCu doors are fitted with high-performance multipoint locking, ensuring your home will be warm and secure, keeping noise, draughts and unwanted visitors out! Though perhaps not as effective as the Ultion lock, they still offer a high level of security and paired with heavy duty hinges, can handle a serious level of force.

Remember, that PVCu doors can also be fitted with Ultion locks if you want that added peace of mind.

DESIGN

Choosing a door largely comes down to pairing it with the style of your house or building. For instance, if your house is a Victorian Semi-detached in East Lothian, in most (but not all) cases a traditional style will suit your house best.

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

COMPOSITE DOOR

When it comes to style and colour options, Composite doors offer unrivalled choice. Ranging from ornate, traditional mouldings to more slender, contemporary styling, there really is a wealth of choice and always an option to suit your home.

Colour is where Composite doors also excel. Depending on the style, Composite doors often come in a wide range of colour choices, covering the more traditional white and wood effects, through to sleek greys and statement colours like reds, blues and even yellows.

For a few examples of Composite door designs, why not view our "At a Glance' Carousel on our Composite door page here.

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PVCu DOOR

PVCu doors are more limited when it comes to colour choice, but that's not to say that there aren't options available! Primarily centred around the white of the PVCu material, PVCu doors also come in the traditional wood foil effects and more recently, can be found to cover more contemporary colour palettes, like Anthracite Grey and Chartwell Green.

The most traditional style of PVCu door normally comprises of a mid transom, glazed top and a decorative half panel on the bottom. There are numerous variants on this not to mention the option to glaze with a full length decorative panel as shown in the image above. As before, these can be found in the more traditional white and timber foils, so don't quite stretch to the colour spectrum that Composite doors do. You may find that the styles found in the full length panel designs stick to the more traditional stylings that you would expect to see, so not covering more streamlined, contemporary styles available in the Composite Door ranges.

For a few examples of PVCu door designs, why not view our dedicated PVCu door page here.

What's the difference between a PVCu Door and Composite Door

BUDGET

It's an easy choice when it comes to budget, with PVCu doors easily the more cost effective option. But remember, PVCu doors still offer a wealth of design and colour options whilst providing a substantial and secure entrance to your home, so still well worth the money.

Where Composite doors prove more expensive, they do offer that extra peace of mind in exemplary security and both traditional and contemporary design and colour options, so always on top when looking for a statement piece to finish your home.

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