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Composite vs. Aluminium Doors: Which Is Right for Your Home?
Lifestyle
When it comes to upgrading or installing new doors in your home, choosing the right material is key to ensuring long-lasting performance, style, and energy efficiency. In this guide, we’ll explore the key differences between composite and aluminium doors, weighing their pros and cons to help you make an informed decision. While both materials have distinct advantages, at Express Bifolds, our aluminium doors stand out for their exceptional durability, modern design, and energy-efficient features. Let’s explore these differences to help you determine the ideal choice for your home.
What Are Aluminium Doors?
Aluminium doors are made from one of the most versatile and robust materials available for home installations. Renowned for their strength, minimal maintenance requirements, and longevity, they are a modern, sleek option for both residential and commercial spaces. However the metal’s high thermal conductivity can be a drawback without the inclusion of a thermal break, meaning aluminium doors may not be as energy-efficient as composite alternatives. Nevertheless, modern models, especially those from Express Bifolds, incorporate advanced thermal technology to ensure optimal energy performance, eliminating this issue.
Pros of Aluminium Doors:
- Durability: Aluminium is resistant to rust, corrosion, and warping, ensuring that your doors retain their structural integrity and appearance for many years.
- Thermal & Acoustic Insulation: With proper thermal breaks and high-quality glazing, aluminium doors can significantly improve energy efficiency, keeping your home warmer in the winter and quieter year-round.
- Home Security: They are exceptionally strong and durable whilst often incorporating advanced locking mechanisms, making them a secure option for front doors.
- Eco-Friendly: Aluminium is infinitely recyclable, making it a sustainable choice for environmentally conscious homeowners looking to reduce their carbon footprint.
- Slim frames: Allows for maximum natural light and panoramic views.
- Minimal maintenance: Designed for easy upkeep, requiring only periodic cleaning to maintain their appearance.
- Aesthetics: Wide range of customisation options (colours and finishes).
Cons of Aluminium Doors:
- Higher thermal conductivity: This can lead to heat loss without proper insulation.
- Initial Cost: Higher upfront cost compared to some composite doors.
What Are Composite Doors?
Composite doors combine various materials like timber and uPVC to create a door that is robust and thermally efficient. The core is typically made of solid timber, while the outer layer might be covered with laminate or Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP), ensuring long-term durability and minimal maintenance. Despite these advantages, composite doors tend to have bulkier frames, which can reduce the amount of glass and natural light they allow. Additionally, the combination of materials makes the manufacturing process more complex, leading to longer production times compared to aluminium doors.
Pros of Composite Doors:
- Thermal Efficiency: Thanks to their timber core, composite doors provide excellent insulation, helping to maintain a comfortable indoor temperature year-round.
- Aesthetic Versatility: Available in a wide range of styles and finishes, composite doors are ideal for homeowners seeking a customised look.
- Security: Composite doors are inherently strong and often incorporate advanced locking mechanisms, making them a secure option for front doors.
Cons of Composite Doors:
- Bulkier frames: Composite doors have thicker frames that limit the glass area, reducing the amount of natural light and making spaces feel less open compared to the sleek designs of aluminium doors.
- Limited size options: While available in a range of styles, composite doors typically offer fewer size options than aluminium, particularly for larger openings. This can restrict design possibilities for expansive entryways.
- Longer manufacturing times: The complex manufacturing process of composite doors leads to longer lead times, potentially delaying your project compared to the quicker production of aluminium doors.
- Weaker Material: Composite doors are more prone to bowing and warping, especially after a few years of installation or exposure to extreme weather conditions. They shrink in cold weather and expand in hot weather, a common issue with all window and door frames. However, UPVC, timber, and composite materials are particularly susceptible to this, whereas aluminium experiences minimal expansion and contraction, making it a superior choice for dark-coloured finishes.
Key Differences Between Composite and Aluminium Doors
Home Security
Both door types offer excellent security. Aluminium doors, thanks to their strength, are incredibly difficult to break or cut through, making them ideal for securing your home, while, composite doors, with their solid core and robust multi-point locking systems, also provide top-tier security.
Energy Efficiency
Composite doors are typically better at insulating, due to their timber core and layered design, which trap heat effectively. However, modern aluminium doors with thermal breaks can also offer impressive insulation, particularly when paired with double or triple glazing. If energy efficiency is your top priority, composite doors may have a slight edge, but well-made aluminium doors can provide the same benefit, especially with current thermal technologies.
Customisation
In terms of design, aluminium doors excel at providing a modern, sleek appearance with slim frames and large glass panels. Aluminium can be powder-coated in a vast range of colours and finishes, allowing for significant customisation. On the other hand, composite doors, while available in a variety of colours and designs, tend to have a thicker, more traditional appearance. This makes them ideal for those seeking a more classic or traditional aesthetic but limits their potential for large, light-filled openings.
Cost
Aluminium doors generally come with a higher upfront cost due to the premium nature of the material and the advanced technology involved, particularly in the inclusion of thermal breaks to improve energy efficiency. However, while the initial investment may be steeper, they offer exceptional longevity and durability, significantly reducing the need for repairs or replacements over time.
In contrast, composite doors are typically more affordable initially, but their lifespan and resilience, especially in extreme weather conditions, may not match that of aluminium. For homeowners looking to invest in doors that can enhance both property value and energy efficiency over the years, aluminium doors often represent a smart, long-term investment. You can read more about their benefits in our previous blog, How to Increase Property Value with Aluminium Doors.
Maintenance
One of the standout benefits of aluminium doors is their minimal maintenance requirements. Thanks to their resistance to corrosion, rust, and warping, they maintain their appearance and ease of use with little effort. Periodic cleaning is usually all that’s needed to keep these beautiful doors looking as good as new.
Composite doors, while also marketed as low-maintenance, require a closer look at their material composition. If not clad with materials like aluminium or GRP, they can be more susceptible to surface wear, fading, or cracking over time, especially when exposed to harsh environmental factors. For composite doors without additional protective cladding, homeowners may need to invest more in long-term upkeep, including refinishing or repainting.
Lifespan
Both materials offer exceptional lifespans, but aluminium edges out composite with its slightly longer resilience when maintained properly. The key differentiator is the metal’s superior durability, particularly in high-traffic areas or environments with fluctuating temperatures and weather conditions. Over time, composite doors may show signs of wear or fading, whereas aluminium retains its structural integrity and aesthetic appeal with minimal degradation.
Express Bifolds Choice
At Express Bifolds, we believe aluminium doors are the perfect solution for modern homes, providing exceptional strength, sleek design, and sustainability. Our British-made aluminium doors are crafted for long-lasting durability, with slim frames and expansive glass panels that fill your spaces with natural light.
Whether you’re looking for bifold doors, sliding doors, or front doors, our aluminium range seamlessly blends contemporary designs with outstanding energy efficiency and security. The ultra-slim profiles maximise glass visibility, while advanced thermal break technology ensures optimal energy performance. With over 200 RAL colours and a variety of finishes, it’s easy to match your doors and aluminium windows to your home’s décor, whether it’s worktops, furniture, or other design elements. Each finish is powder-coated for lasting durability, offering protection against peeling and fading for at least 10 years.
Visit one of our showrooms anytime without an appointment to explore our carefully curated collection in person. Alternatively, for a more personalised experience, book a design appointment with one of our specialists, who will guide you through our extensive product range and help tailor your choice to your project.
Built with high-grade materials and multi-point locking systems, our doors provide superior security and peace of mind. At Express Bifolds, you’re choosing aluminium doors that are not only stylish but made to stand the test of time.
So, Which is the Best?
The choice between composite and aluminium doors ultimately depends on your specific needs and preferences. If thermal efficiency and a traditional look are your top priorities, composite doors might be the right fit, especially for smaller or more classic-style homes. However, their bulkier frames and increased production times may limit design flexibility.
On the other hand, if you’re looking for a sleek, modern finish with durability and minimal upkeep, aluminium doors stand out as the superior option. Their slim profiles, combined with advanced thermal break technology, make them an energy-efficient and fashionable solution for contemporary spaces. While they may come with a higher upfront cost, their minimal maintenance and exceptional lifespan make them a smart, cost-effective investment.
For those focused on aesthetics, sustainability, and long-term performance, aluminium doors are an excellent choice. At Express Bifolds, our range of premium aluminium doors and windows combines elegance with outstanding practicality, ensuring that your home remains secure, energy-efficient, and visually stunning for years to come. Explore our collection today by visiting a showroom or speaking with one of our specialists for tailored advice.
