Solidor leads on sustainability: solid timber core, long lifespan, and lower impact than foam-core doors. Explained by Timber Composite Doors.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why Solidor’s Timber Core Is More Sustainable
- How Manufacturing Impacts Environmental Footprint
- Why Longevity Is the Key to True Sustainability
- How Solidor Supports Circular Economy Design
(Estimated Reading Time: 5-6 Minutes)
Intro: Sustainability isn’t a buzzword when you’ve been doing it since 2008
Sustainability isn’t a trend for Solidor — it’s something built into the product from the very beginning. Long before “eco-friendly” became a marketing label, Solidor was already using responsibly sourced timber and recyclable components as standard.
At Timber Composite Doors, we’ve been installing Solidor doors since 2008. We didn’t choose them because sustainability was fashionable — we chose them because the product was genuinely better built and more responsible.
Now in 2026, while much of the market is still retrofitting green credentials onto short-lived products, Solidor continues to prove that sustainability and performance don’t have to compete. With a solid timber core, long lifespan, and low-impact manufacturing, it remains one of the most environmentally responsible composite doors available in the UK.
This article explains why Solidor’s timber core still sets the benchmark for sustainability — and why longevity is the most overlooked environmental benefit of all.
1. The Timber Core: Renewable, Responsible, Recyclable
At the heart of every Solidor lies a 48mm engineered timber core, built from FSC-certified hardwood laminates.
That means the wood comes only from sustainably managed forests — where every tree harvested is replaced.
Unlike plastic or foam-filled alternatives, timber:
- Locks in carbon throughout its life.
- Requires less energy to process than synthetic cores.
- Can be recycled or repurposed at end of life.
In fact, every Solidor stores roughly 25kg of CO₂ — carbon that stays locked inside the core for decades.
Compare that to foam-core GRP doors:
They use petroleum-based polymers that release CO₂ during production and can’t be easily recycled.
Verdict: Timber wins for sustainability and longevity.
2. Manufacturing: Low Waste, Low Impact
Solidor’s factory in Stoke-on-Trent is one of the UK’s most advanced door manufacturing facilities.
Nearly all production waste — timber offcuts, trimmings, and plastic profiles — is recycled or repurposed.
Highlights of their 2026 environmental manufacturing program:
- 100% renewable electricity used in production.
- Zero landfill policy for offcuts.
- Continuous investment in energy-efficient CNC systems.
- Packaging materials fully recyclable.
Even delivery routes are planned for efficiency — reducing carbon emissions across the UK supply chain.
It’s not lip service — it’s built into the business.
3. The Longevity Factor: True Sustainability Is About Lifespan
Sustainability isn’t just about how something is made; it’s about how long it lasts.
A cheap GRP door might be “eco” on the label, but if it needs replacing every 10 years, it’s not sustainable — it’s disposable.
Solidor’s 20–25-year lifespan means fewer replacements, less landfill, and lower embodied carbon across the lifecycle.
When you buy a Solidor, you’re effectively halving your environmental footprint compared to replacing a cheaper door twice in the same timeframe.
The most sustainable thing you can do is buy quality once.
4. The Frame & Finish: Recyclable and Built to Endure
It’s not just the door leaf that’s built responsibly — Solidor’s frames, glazing, and hardware all contribute to a lower impact design.
- uPVC frames: made from recycled polymer compounds.
- Colour finishes: lead-free, UV-stable, solvent-free coatings.
- Glazing: low-E glass with argon gas filling for thermal efficiency.
- Hardware: recyclable metals (stainless steel, aluminium, brass).
Together, they create a door system that can be fully dismantled and recycled at the end of its life.
No hazardous composites. No non-recyclable laminates.
5. Energy Efficiency: Saving Energy = Saving Carbon
Every Solidor exceeds UK building regulations for thermal performance, with U-values as low as 1.4 W/m²K.
That means less heat escaping, smaller heating bills, and a direct carbon saving over the door’s lifetime.
On average:
Replacing an old uPVC door with a Solidor saves roughly 120–150kg of CO₂ per year in reduced heating energy.
That’s equivalent to planting 6–7 trees every year — just by closing the door.
Add in the Ultion locking system’s airtight compression seal, and you’re not just secure — you’re sealed in efficiency.
6. The Myth About Timber: Maintenance vs Sustainability
There’s a misconception that timber doors mean constant upkeep. Not anymore.
Solidor’s timber core is fully encapsulated within a thermoplastic outer skin, meaning:
- No exposed wood.
- No rot or swelling.
- No repainting or re-staining.
You get all the eco-benefits of real wood without the maintenance headaches.
It’s the best of both worlds — natural core, engineered protection.
7. Circular Economy Design: Built to Be Reborn
Solidor’s construction allows for full material separation — frame, core, and hardware can be independently recycled or reused.
Timber cores can be repurposed into secondary wood products, while frames and hardware enter standard recycling streams.
It’s a rare example of circular design thinking in the building products industry — and something Timber Composite Doors has supported since day one.
“Sustainability isn’t just about where materials come from; it’s about where they can go next.”
8. Real-World Comparison: Environmental Impact
| Feature | Solidor (Timber Core) | Standard GRP Door (Foam Core) |
|---|---|---|
| Core Material | FSC timber | PU foam (petrochemical) |
| Carbon Footprint (production) | Low | High |
| Recyclable | Yes | Difficult |
| Lifespan | 20–25 years | 8–12 years |
| Paint / Coating | Solvent-free | Solvent-based |
| Thermal Efficiency | 1.4 W/m²K | 1.6–1.8 W/m²K |
In short: the longer it lasts and the easier it is to recycle, the greener it becomes.
And no door balances those two better than Solidor.
9. Responsible Partnering: Why We Stand Behind It
At Timber Composite Doors, we don’t just sell the product — we stand behind the principles.
Every Solidor we install supports responsible sourcing, sustainable manufacturing, and lifetime product stewardship.
We’ve championed this ethos since 2008 — long before sustainability was a selling point.
It’s why we’re proud to call ourselves not just the No.1 Solidor supplier, but one of its longest-standing partners in the UK.
Conclusion: Real Sustainability Lasts a Lifetime
A truly sustainable door isn’t just about recycled content — it’s about building something once, building it right, and building it to last.
That’s what Solidor’s timber core achieves.
Low waste. Low energy. Long life.
And when installed by Timber Composite Doors, it’s not just good for your home — it’s good for the planet too.
🛒 Browse online: www.timbercompositedoors.com
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FAQs: Solidor Sustainability
1) Is a Solidor’s timber core really more sustainable than foam?
Yes. The 48mm FSC-certified timber core stores carbon, needs less energy to process than petrochemical foams, and can be recycled or repurposed at end-of-life. With Timber Composite Doors’ fit-and-finish, it typically lasts 20–25 years—fewer replacements, lower footprint.
2) Won’t a timber core swell or rot?
No. The timber is fully encapsulated within a thermoplastic skin, so there’s no exposed wood. You get the benefits of real timber (strength, stability) without the usual maintenance issues.
3) How does Solidor’s lifespan affect sustainability?
Longevity is the biggest win. A door that lasts 20–25 years halves the embodied carbon versus a cheaper GRP/foam door replaced once (or more) in the same period. Fewer replacements = less waste, transport, and manufacturing impact.
4) Can a Solidor be recycled at the end of its life?
Yes. The leaf, frame, glazing, and hardware can be separated: timber for reuse/recycling; uPVC/aluminium and metals into standard streams; glass into appropriate recycling. It’s designed with circularity in mind.
5) Does choosing Solidor improve day-to-day carbon savings?
It helps. Typical U-values around 1.4 W/m²K reduce heat loss, cutting energy use (and emissions). Pair that with quality sealing and you’ll feel a warmer hallway and see lower bills over time.
6) What makes Solidor’s manufacturing “low impact”?
UK production using renewable electricity, high material recovery, recyclable packaging, and efficient logistics. Timber Composite Doors partners with Solidor to keep the chain transparent—from factory to fitting.
