Real homeowner questions, answered.
A growing library of straight answers to the eco-home questions UK homeowners are actually asking, with figures cited from Ofgem, gov.uk and the Energy Saving Trust.
Doors 67
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How much are composite door keys?
Composite door replacement keys typically cost between £15 and £80 each, depending on the lock system and whether you need a locksmith to cut them on…
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Do new front doors come with FENSA certificates in the UK?
Yes, if your new front door is installed by a FENSA-registered installer, you will receive a FENSA certificate automatically. FENSA (the Fenestration…
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What is the best lock type for a UK front door in 2026?
The best lock type for a UK front door in 2026 is a British Standard BS 3621 5-lever mortice deadlock, combined with a cylinder lock that meets TS…
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Are composite doors more secure than timber doors in the UK?
The most-searched comparison shows that composite doors are generally more secure than timber doors in the UK, with a typical composite door…
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What is the typical lead time for a new front door in the UK?
The typical lead time for a new front door in the UK is 4 to 12 weeks from order to installation, depending on material and customisation, according…
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Are bifold doors energy efficient for a UK kitchen extension?
Yes, modern bifold doors can be energy efficient for a UK kitchen extension, with typical U-values of 1.2–1.6 W/m²K for double-glazed units, although…
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What is the most secure front door for a UK home in 2026?
The most secure front door for a UK home in 2026 is a composite door fitted with a three-star British Standard (BS 3621) cylinder lock and a…
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How do I weatherproof a front door in a UK coastal area?
Weatherproofing a front door in a UK coastal area requires a combination of high-specification draught-proofing, corrosion-resistant hardware, and a…
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Composite door vs uPVC door in 2026, which is better for UK homes?
For UK homes in 2026, a composite door is generally better than a uPVC door for security, thermal efficiency and longevity, but costs around 40% more…
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Why are composite doors white on the inside?
The most common reason composite doors have a white internal face is that it is the standard factory finish chosen for cost efficiency and neutral…
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Who makes the best composite doors?
The best composite door manufacturer is widely considered to be Solidor, based on independent testing and market share, though several UK brands…
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Where to buy composite doors?
The most reliable place to buy composite doors is through a registered local installer listed on the TrustMark or FENSA database, as these schemes…
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Where are composite doors made?
Most composite doors sold in the UK are manufactured in China, Poland, and the UK itself, with UK-made doors typically costing 15–20% more than…
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What is grp composite doors?
GRP composite doors are made from a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) skin bonded to a solid timber or foam core, offering high strength and low…
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What does composite doors mean?
Composite doors mean a multi-material construction built to offer superior insulation, security, and durability compared to traditional uPVC or…
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What do composite doors look like?
Composite doors look like traditional timber doors but with a smooth, durable finish that resists warping and fading, typically available in a wide…
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Should composite doors fade?
Composite doors should not fade significantly if manufactured to British Standards and installed correctly, though some minor colour change over many…
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Should composite doors be painted?
No, composite doors should generally not be painted with standard household paints, as this can void the manufacturer's warranty and damage the…
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How to restore composite doors?
To restore a composite door, you typically need to clean, repair, and re-protect the surface rather than sand and repaint, because most composite…
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How to clean composite doors?
Clean your composite door with warm water and mild detergent, avoiding bleach or abrasive cleaners that damage the surface. The UK government advises…
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How much are composite doors supplied and fitted?
Composite doors supplied and fitted typically cost between £950 and £2,800 in the UK, with the average installation coming in around £1,500.…
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How much are composite doors in ireland?
Composite doors in Ireland typically cost between €1,000 and €2,500 installed, depending on style and security features (UK Government Energy…
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How are composite doors coloured?
The colour of a composite door is applied during the manufacturing process using a factory-applied polyester powder coating, which creates a durable,…
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Do composite doors fade?
Yes, composite doors can fade over time, but modern designs are engineered to resist significant colour change for many years. The British Board of…
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Do composite doors swell in the sun?
Composite doors do not swell in the sun under normal UK conditions because their GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) skin and insulated core are built to…
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Do composite doors swell?
No, composite doors do not swell in the way timber doors do because they are engineered from multiple stable materials. The UK Government's Building…
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Do composite doors scratch easily?
Composite doors are not easily scratched, but they can be marked under heavy or sharp impact. The GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) skin used on most…
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Do composite doors need painting?
No, composite doors do not need painting because the durable GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) skin is factory-finished and built to resist fading and…
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Do composite doors expand in heat?
Yes, composite doors can expand slightly in heat, but the movement is minimal, typically less than 2mm, and does not affect normal operation. The…
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Do composite doors expand and contract?
Yes, composite doors do expand and contract, but significantly less than uPVC doors. The composite door industry states that a typical composite door…
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Do composite doors expand?
Composite doors do not expand in the same way that timber doors can, but they can experience very minor thermal movement of up to 2mm in extreme…
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Do composite doors come with frame?
Yes, composite doors are almost always supplied with a matching frame as a complete door system. According to the industry body that certifies…
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Do composite doors bow?
Composite doors can bow, but it is uncommon in properly installed modern doors; the UK Glass and Glazing Federation states that warping or bowing is…
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Can you trim composite doors?
Yes, you can trim composite doors, but only by a limited amount, typically up to 10mm from the bottom edge, without voiding the warranty or damaging…
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Can you stain composite doors?
Yes, you can stain a composite door, but the finish will not be the same as staining natural timber and the results are often unpredictable.…
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Can you spray composite doors?
No, you cannot successfully spray a composite door with standard paint and expect a durable, long-lasting finish. Composite doors are made from…
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Can you repair composite doors?
Yes, you can repair composite doors, and most common issues such as misalignment, sticking locks, or minor surface damage are fixable without…
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Can you plane composite doors?
No, you cannot plane a composite door in the same way you would a timber door, and doing so will void the warranty and damage the structure.…
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Can you drill composite doors?
Yes, you can drill composite doors, but it requires specific tools and techniques to avoid damaging the door's outer skin and composite core. The UK…
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Can you cut composite doors?
The short answer is no, composite doors should not be cut down to size by a homeowner or general builder. A standard composite door is a…
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Can composite doors open outwards?
Yes, composite doors can open outwards, though inward-opening is far more common in UK homes. The Energy Saving Trust confirms that outward-opening…
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Can composite doors be trimmed?
Most composite doors cannot be trimmed by more than a few millimetres, and many manufacturers void the warranty if any trimming is attempted (GOV.UK,…
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Can composite doors be repaired?
Yes, composite doors can be repaired, with typical fixes costing between £50 and £300 depending on the issue (Energy Saving Trust, 2026). Most common…
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Can composite doors be repainted?
Yes, composite doors can be repainted, but only with specialist paints and careful preparation. A typical composite door repaint costs between £100…
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Can composite doors be painted?
Yes, composite doors can be painted, but only with the correct preparation and paint type to avoid voiding the warranty. The UK’s leading…
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Can composite doors be made to any size?
Yes, composite doors can be made to almost any size, but the maximum standard width is typically 1,200mm and height 2,400mm, according to the British…
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Can composite doors be cut to size?
No, composite doors cannot be cut to size in the same way as timber doors, and doing so almost always voids the warranty and compromises security.…
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Can composite doors be cut down?
No, composite doors cannot typically be cut down to size after manufacture without voiding the warranty and compromising structural integrity,…
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Can composite doors be adjusted?
Yes, composite doors can be adjusted, though the adjustment range is limited compared to uPVC doors. Most composite doors have adjustable hinges that…
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Are composite doors worth the money?
Yes, composite doors are worth the money for most UK homeowners, with a typical payback period of 5–7 years through energy savings and increased…
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Are composite doors worth it?
Yes, composite doors are worth it for most UK homeowners, offering significantly better security and thermal efficiency than standard uPVC or timber…
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Are composite doors upvc?
No, composite doors are not uPVC, though both are popular front door materials in the UK. A composite door is constructed from multiple materials…
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Are composite doors solid?
Yes, composite doors are solid. A composite door typically consists of a solid timber core (often from engineered wood) encased in a durable GRP…
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Are composite doors secure?
Yes, composite doors are secure, meeting the UK security standard PAS 24:2022 when fitted with the correct hardware. A composite door typically…
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Are composite doors made to measure?
Yes, composite doors are made to measure, not off-the-shelf. A bespoke composite door is manufactured to the exact dimensions of your existing door…
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Are composite doors fire rated?
Yes, most modern composite doors sold in the UK are fire rated to at least 30 minutes (FD30), meaning they are built to resist fire for a minimum of…
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Are composite doors expensive?
Composite doors are not considered expensive relative to their long-term value, with typical supply-and-install costs ranging from £1,200 to £2,500…
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Can I fit a new front door without planning permission in the UK?
Yes, you can usually fit a new front door without planning permission in the UK, provided it is a like-for-like replacement. Permitted development…
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How much does a French door cost to install in the UK 2026?
Installing a standard pair of French doors in the UK costs between £1,200 and £3,500 including labour and VAT in 2026, according to the latest…
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What is the most secure type of front door for a UK home 2026?
The most secure type of front door for a UK home in 2026 is a composite door fitted with a multi-point locking system and certified to PAS 24:2016…
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Are wooden front doors better insulators than uPVC?
Wooden front doors are not inherently better insulators than uPVC; modern uPVC doors typically achieve a lower U-value than standard wooden doors.…
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How long does front door paint take to dry?
Front door paint typically takes 2-4 hours to dry to the touch, but full curing can take 24-48 hours depending on the paint type and weather…
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Are composite doors more secure than upvc?
Yes, composite doors are generally more secure than uPVC doors, with independent tests showing they can withstand over 1,000 kg of forced entry force…
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How do composite door locks work?
Composite door locks work by engaging multiple locking points simultaneously when the handle is lifted, using a central gearbox mechanism that drives…
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How long are composite doors guaranteed for?
The most common guarantee for a composite door is 10 years, though some premium brands offer up to 20 years (Consumer Rights Act 2015). This is the…
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How much front door replacement?
The average cost of a standard front door replacement in the UK is between £1,200 and £2,500 for supply and installation, according to the Energy…
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How much do composite doors cost fitted?
Composite doors cost fitted typically range from £1,200 to £2,500 for a standard single door, including installation and VAT, according to the Energy…
Written and edited by a named human
Each entry is written and edited by Ian Duncan, the site's founder. Costs and grant figures are cited from gov.uk, Ofgem and the Energy Saving Trust. Read more about the site.