Blog
The Ultimate Guide to Composite Doors
Finding the perfect door for your forever home can be a challenging task, with numerous options available and many factors to consider. At Apeer, we understand this struggle, and we want to make sure you are buying a door that is durable, secure, easy to maintain and exceeds your expectations. There are a variety of door options available, with uPVC and composite being the popular favourites.
Alongside the type of door, we understand how important it is to find the perfect style and colour, which is why we offer a variety of styles and colours as well as a custom colour matching service, providing you with the reassurance that you are getting exactly what you want.
From our many years of experience, we are confident that composite doors are the best choice for all of our UK and Ireland customers. In this article, we have put together some answers to all of your composite door queries to ensure you’re picking the best option for your home.
What is a composite door?
Composite doors are doors that are made of more than one material – each chosen for its strength, performance, and durability. The combination of different materials counteracts common problems found in uPVC or Timber doors, and brings its own advantages to the structure. By combining materials, composite doors are therefore stronger and more durable, providing you with a thicker and long-lasting door.
What are composite doors made of?
At Apeer, all our composite doors feature:
• Fibreglass skins: tough, weatherproof and resistant to warping or bowing.
• High-density polyurethane core: rock-solid strength, unbeatable insulation.
• Triple glazing options: for added energy efficiency and style.
• Steel reinforcements & mesh layers: for extra durability.
The result? A door that performs brilliantly in every season, looks fantastic, and gives you total peace of mind.
Our traditional composite doors and contemporary composite doors are made from fibreglass and a high-density polyurethane core. While some suppliers may use a different combination of materials, a composite door is any door that uses more than one material.
We chose fibreglass as one of the main materials for our composite doors because it offers an array of benefits, such as durability and security, and is both waterproof and windproof, ultimately making it a long-lasting solution for your home. Fibreglass does not warp or bow, which is one of the main issues you will find with a uPVC door over time.
The other material we use is high-density polyurethane, which, as well as adding strength and security to the door, is an excellent insulator that contributes to the low U–values (thermal transmittance) of our doors.
What is the difference between uPVC, Aluminium, Timber & Composite doors?
Composite vs uPVC, Timber & Aluminium Doors
Every homeowner asks the same question: how do composite doors compare to other door types?
Composite vs uPVC Doors
Materials
Both uPVC and composite doors are firm favourites when it comes to doors, and this is all down to the materials used within each of them. Composite and uPVC are designed with different materials that are tightly pressed and glued together, and the materials used ultimately impact the durability and security of the door you choose for your home.
uPVC doors have been a classic and preferred door for years until the development of composite doors. uPVC doors are an attractive and affordable door choice that requires very little maintenance and are made mainly with plastic; however, composite doors have been a modern advancement, offering the same benefits as uPVC but at a higher standard. Composite doors tend to be thicker in design, offering a more robust, durable, and weather-resistant door.
Security & Durability
When it comes to materials, composite doors have a high-density polyurethane core, which becomes rock-hard, resulting in a secure door. uPVC doors differ as they have a styrofoam core that tends to make them less durable. At Apeer, our composite doors are 70mm in thickness and include a multi-joint locking system, anti-pick and anti-snap cylinders, providing you with a door that meets the police standard of security with Secured By Design as well as PAS24.
On top of this, you also get one of the most thermally efficient doors on the market. This all adds to the reassurance that you are purchasing a door that is secure and will protect your home against intruders.
Design & Colour
As for design, typically uPVC doors are white, and if you want a coloured uPVC door, be prepared for a price increase. They are also all of similar styles, which can be limiting and dated when trying to get a door to fit the style of your home. At Apeer, our composite doors come in a variety of styles from contemporary to traditional, available in a variety of different colours. As we have mentioned before, we have an extensive colour palette available for you to choose from, or, if you know what colour it is you would like, we would be happy to match this for you.
Considering the materials used, variety of styles and colours, composite doors are more expensive in comparison to uPVC doors. However, you are guaranteed to get a composite door that fits the interior and exterior style of your home, as well as a long-lasting solution. UPVC may be a cheaper alternative, but its restricted design and drawbacks may result in you finding yourself in a situation whereby you want to update your door sooner than expected.
Want to see how your door will look? Try our Door Builder Tool – you can design your door and even preview it on your own home.
Energy efficiency
Energy bills are only going one way – up. Apeer composite doors are designed to keep heat in and draughts out, featuring:
• U-values as low as 0.7 W/m²K (far exceeding Building Regulation requirements).
• Triple glazing options with argon gas fill for extra insulation.
• A++ energy ratings available across the range.
This means your hallway will feel warmer in winter, cooler in summer — and you’ll save on heating costs.
Composite vs Timber Doors
Timber doors are less energy efficient, and although they have charm, they require regular painting and can warp over time. Composite doors replicate the look of timber, but without the maintenance.
An Apeer A++ composite door is many times more efficient than a timber core door. When you compare an Apeer door to a PVC door or Timber Core Door, an A++ door is proven to save you money over the life cycle of the door.
Composite vs Aluminium Doors
Aluminium is sleek and modern, but not as insulating as a composite door. Composite doors not only offer better U-values and warmth, but also offer a contemporary look.
Can you paint a composite door?
Composite doors are designed and finished to a professional standard that will last forever in your home. At Apeer, we pride ourselves on our wide range of colours, and our colour matching service ensures you get the perfect door for your home, should we not stock the shade you’re looking for.
Composite doors can be painted if you fancy a change; however, often you may find it is recommended not to after some research. This is because the colour of your composite door runs through its entirety, and this depth keeps the original colour strong and unfaded for years to come. Because of this, you may find it difficult to achieve the exact professional quality and finish of the composite door’s original colour.
If you decide to go ahead and paint your composite door, it’s important that you prep your door with a quality primer and finish with a weather-resistant overcoat to achieve a strong finish and to ensure the durability of the paint colour.
Are composite doors hard to clean and maintain?
Composite doors are designed to be low maintenance, but a little care keeps them looking their best:
• Wipe down monthly with warm soapy water & microfibre cloth.
• Avoid abrasive pads or harsh chemicals.
• Lubricate locks and hinges twice a year with light oil.
• Clean glass with standard glass cleaner.
With this simple routine, your Apeer door will look as good as new for decades. You can find out more about how to maintain your door here.
How much does a composite door cost?
When considering the cost of composite doors, there are several different factors, such as the thickness, style, colour, composite door hardware, security extras and size. Composite doors can range from around £1,500 to £ 4,000+.
At Apeer, our composite doors are fully customisable to your needs. The best way to give yourself a rough estimate of your composite door price is to visit our door builder form – here you can input all the functionality, style and colour according to your preferences. With our door builder form, you can also see the front door on your home!
If you have any queries about buying a composite door, you can get in touch with us directly, and we will be happy to take you through a consultation. Apeer doors are available across the UK through our approved network of installers – you can use our Find a Retailer tool or get in touch with our team to be connected with a local expert.
Composite Door FAQs
How long does a composite door last?
A well-made composite door can last 25–35 years with minimal maintenance.
Do composite doors fade over time?
No — quality composite doors are finished with durable coatings that resist fading, peeling or cracking.
Are composite doors worth the money?
Yes. While more expensive than uPVC, composite doors are stronger, longer-lasting, more energy efficient and often save money over their lifetime.
Do composite doors warp like timber doors?
No. Thanks to fibreglass skins and a reinforced core, composite doors won’t warp, bow or swell like timber.
Are composite doors draught-proof?
Yes — most composite doors feature advanced weather seals and rebated frames to block draughts.
Can composite doors be made in any colour?
Yes. They are available in a wide range of colours and even custom shades through colour-matching services.
Are composite doors secure?
Composite doors are among the most secure available, thanks to their solid cores and multipoint locking systems.
Do composite doors need special frames?
Not usually — they’re designed to fit standard door frames, though many suppliers (like Apeer) provide matching frames for a perfect fit.
How energy efficient are composite doors?
Composite doors typically achieve low U-values and A+ energy ratings, making them one of the most efficient choices.
Can you customise the glass in a composite door?
Yes. From frosted and decorative to triple-glazed designs, composite doors allow for a wide range of glass options.