The Most Common Problems With Composite Doors

Composite doors have a lot going for them and are becoming more and more popular in the UK. But they aren’t cheap, especially when compared to uPVC doors that we are all more familiar with. So if you are about to spend a chunk of money on a composite door then you undoubtedly want to know what the potential issues could be. So with that in mind, we will look at the most common problems with composite doors.

1. Sagging or Warping

One of the best features of composite doors is that they are nice and heavy. This makes them solid and secure but can also make them prone to sagging or warping if not used correctly.

The number one cause of this is not lifting the handle up once the door is closed. As you do with uPVC doors you should always lift the handle up once the composite door is closed. What this does is fully activate the hooks in the locking mechanism at the top and bottom of the door.

If you don’t do this then the whole weight of the door is resting on just the middle latch. This is obviously far from ideal but doesn’t become a problem until it is repeatedly done over time. If this is repeated time after time then you may well find that your door begins to sag/warp.

2. Door Track Leaking

This is more of a poor installation and or maintenance issue that isn’t strictly limited to composite doors but it’s one that I have seen time and time again.

If the door thresher is incorrectly installed then water can build up here and not drain away. This inevitably makes its way under the door and is what can cause a little wet patch at the bottom of your door sill.

This can also happen if the drainage holes in the thresher get blocked with dirt over the years, so if you’re suddenly having this problem try and give them a really good clean.

3. Swelling

Doors will swell in the sun, even composite doors. While most people just think this is a problem for wooden doors it does also happen to uPVC and composite doors. The sun just heats up the door leading to it expanding.

There is not much you can do about this, it is just one of those things.

If the door swelling makes it almost impossible to open or close the door then you may have a fitting issue. If the door is oversized for the doorway then swelling will throw it over the edge and make it hard to open and close.

4. Sticking Door Lock

If you notice your door lock sticking then it might just need a little lubrication. You should regularly lubricate your door lock, but let’s be honest, nobody does.

if you notice your lock starting to stick then just give it a spray with some silicone lubricant.

5. Colour Fading

Over time the colour of your door will fade, this is inevitable. What can change though is the speed at which your door does fade. Higher quality doors will fade slower than most but will fade eventually.

You can use a plastic restorer to help bring the original colour back.

You can also paint composite doors like uPVC to give them a brand new look.