What is a UPVC door?
For the past few decades, UPVC doors have become more commonplace in the British market. They have appeared where timber doors would traditionally be found, but they’re also quite different.
What exactly is it made of?
On the surface, you could say that it’s UPVC, but there’s more to it than that.
'Unplasticised' plastic on the surface
The outermost layers are what make this door “UPVC” – or ‘unplasticised’ PVC.
All PVC, plasticised or not, starts off as a resin until it is mixed with different substances. Without the addition of a plasticising agent, which is responsible for making PVC flexible, we have a more rigid, and hence unplasticised material – UPVC (Unplasticised PolyVinyl Chloride).
For each side, a sheet of this is heat-pressed within a mould to create the outer design for the panel.
A dense and insulating layer between
A dense central layer is sandwiched between these decorative outer skins. It is effective in making this door thermally efficient.
And glass
Where a door calls for glass, this is placed within the centre and sealed between the two outer layers. This way, the glass cannot be tampered with, but it also cannot be swapped without replacing the entire panel.
What are the benefits of a UPVC door?
UPVC doors are built to take the place of timber ones, not merely like for like, but offering advantages over the latter.
More cost effective
UPVCs are generally cheaper than standard wooden external doors. They are also purpose-built to save money on energy use and maintenance.
More energy efficient
Thanks to multi-layered construction, UPVCs provide breaks that restrict the passage of heat from indoors to the outside, while single-layered doors have less restriction for heat to travel and hence waste more energy. We also use glass with warm edge spacer bar technology, which is less conductive than average glass spacers, and further deflects the escape of heat.
High security
Our UPVCs are pre-fitted as standard with a secure multi-point locking system, making it far less vulnerable than a door with a single mortice or cylinder lock. The frame is steel-reinforced for added protection, also as standard.
Greater weather resistance
An important factor is the British weather, and UPVC was designed to stand up to it. The skin of a UPVC front or back door is UV stable, making it resistant to fading. It also stands up to the rain, not absorbing water as easily as untreated wood does.
Easier to clean
UPVC doors are virtually maintenance-free. They come in a range of popular colours, which don’t need to be repainted and are built to withstand rain or shine. Conversely, wood needs to be painted, and this can chip and peel in the elements; and without proper protection, wood can also soak up rain water, as a result warp and decay.
A good selection of styles
UPVCs come in a variety of traditional and modern styles similar to existing wooden doors, making it easy to replace the latter.
What styles do you offer?
With our diverse range of UPVCs, you’re sure to find the perfect replacement to your old front or back door.
Traditional styles
These are familiar designs, typically with twin rectangle mouldings that are either raised or recessed. Some of our traditional styles include:
- The Croydon with twin swept top glass and twin solid recessed mouldings
- The Harrow with two small glass rectangles, and two twin raised mouldings
- The Ealing, which as a large glass area in the top, and smaller double recessed squares below
- The most popular of our traditional styles the Leeds, consisting of twin vertical glass and twin raised mouldings
Modern styles
Modern styles use plain & simple shapes that contrast with traditional norms, or are simply flat panelled. A selection of these styles include:
- The six-rectangle Havering, with variations of 3, 4 and 6 glass designs
- The Luton, similar to our Monza composites – with horizontal grooved lines within a large rectangle, and three small glass rectangles running down the centre with flat modern borders
- The Warrington, similar to the Luton but with a single vertical piece of glass in the centre.
- The Virtu, similar to the Warrington but the glass near the full height of the grooved border.
Cottage styles
These are categorised by vertical tongue-and-groove (sunken lines) in the panel. Styles include:
- The half-glazed Cardiff
- The solid and appropriately-named Cottage Style
- Bristol, with glass running vertically down the top section of the door
- Our most popular cottage style, the Wandsworth
French Doors
These double doors use the same secure locking system as our single ones and can be found not only in home entrances, but also in balconies large enough for them. Generally, these are fully glazed, but it is possible to take any of our tradition, cottage or modern styles and create them as double doors, should the sizes allow for this.
Sliding Patio Doors
Typically reserved for back entrances, but also found in balconies, these come in 2-panel or 3-panel configurations. They’re fully glazed, but can include your choice of backing glass for added decoration. They offer the advantage of space, as they do not swing out as french or single-leaf doors do.
What are my options?
Customise your new UPVC door for extra kerb appeal.
Colours
White is the default finish, while other options include the grey tone Agate, Anthracite and Black, colourful Chartwell Green, and the woodgrains of Irish Oak, (Golden) Oak and Rosewood. The inside can be made to these colours as well, though most customers are happy to leave this as white for maximum hallway brightness.
Hardware
Standard hardware finishes are Chrome, Gold, White and Black, available for standard handles and letterplates. There are options for superior handle styles, as well as knockers, spyholes and numerals where styles permit them, also available in the additional finishes of Graphite Silver and the pitted Antique Black.
Catflaps and Pet Doors
For doors that can accommodate them, we can fit manual or microchip activated catflaps, or pet doors for dogs. Alternatively, one can be installed within a side panel, glazed or solid, should you have one.
Backing Glass
Enhance the look of your door’s glass with a choice of backing glass. This consists of decorative patterns and textures, in addition to Sandblast, which all provide different degrees of obscurity for privacy.
Toplights & Side Panels https://www.we-do-doors.co.uk/blog/side-panels-and-top-lights-for-upvc-and-composite-doors
We can replace toplights and side panels. The benefit of this is that they will use the same profile as your UPVC door, creating a seamless look for your doorway. The also include the same range of backing glass designs available to our doors.
We do UPVC windows too!
Using the same profile as our UPVC doors, you can have UPVC windows in the same range of colours and backing glass designs, with options including fixed windows, casement and tilt & turn.
How do I order?
You can get in touch with us, or go straight to choosing your favourite style.
Calling Us
Give our Sales Team a ring on 0800 910 1122.
Sending a Message
Either via the tab on the right, or by visiting our Contact Us page.
Directly Online
Browse through our styles and see for yourself what we have to offer.
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