23 Jun What Are the Problems with Composite Doors?

Here at Park Lane Windows, Doors & Conservatories, we firmly believe in the quality and durability of composite doors and regularly recommend them to our clients. They are highly secure, easy to maintain, and have excellent thermal efficiency. But if you’re thinking about getting a new door, you might wonder, what are a composite door’s downsides?In this post, we’ll explain the problems that can occur with composite doors over time and how to fix them.  

What are the problems with composite doors?

You’ll rarely have problems with a brand-new composite door, but there is a slim chance you might experience one of the following over time:

• Door swelling
• Locks sticking
• Dropped hinges
• Door staining
• Blocked drainage holes

Door swelling

This is a common problem for composite, uPVC, and timber doors. When the temperature rises in the summer, the door swells and becomes difficult to close. If your door is south facing, it’s naturally more prone to swelling in the sunshine. 

Although you can’t stop a door from swelling, an experienced fitter will ensure the size is right to allow for some movement. 

To stop your new door from sagging or bowing, you should also make sure you pull the handle up to engage the locks fully when it’s shut. This stops the door from resting on the latch alone and gives more support to the frame. 

Locks sticking

Sticky locks aren’t just a nuisance; they can be a home security issue. Without proper maintenance, locks stick, and the door becomes hard to shut and lock correctly. 

All doors need some quick, regular lock maintenance, including composite doors. All you need to do is lubricate the locks with a grease lubricant every six months or so. This will stop your lock from sticking and increase its lifespan. 

Dropped hinges

Hinges on any door or window will begin to drop over time – that’s just gravity at work. But with the correct tools, it’s an easy fix. 

Composite doors have self-lubricating bearings, which means hinges need minimal maintenance compared to other types. All you need to do is spray the hinges with a lubricant every six months and give them a slight adjustment if necessary. 

Door staining

Composite doors are susceptible to weather staining, mud stains, dirty handprints, and general wear and tear. Over time, these can become difficult to remove if left unchecked. 

All you need to do is clean your door regularly or hire a window and door cleaner to do the job for you. If you have a tough stain, there are composite door cleaners on the market that are made to handle tough stains. 

Blocked drainage holes

Composite doors have built-in drainage holes to make sure any excess water can run off and stay outside of the home. Water can leak into your home and cause damp issues if these become blocked. 

Every six months, check the holes and remove any dirt or build-up, and you shouldn’t have any issues. 

Looking for a new composite door?

Although composite doors do have the potential for issues, they are still one of the most reliable options when it comes to replacing a front or back door. If you’re looking for a new composite door, we can help. 

At Park Lane, we are independent experts at installing composite doors and will help you choose the best one for your property. Get in touch today to get a quick, free quote.