Uncover the biggest composite door myths homeowners believe — and the real truth about security, insulation, lifespan, and value.
What You’ll Learn:
- How construction, core material, and thickness separate premium doors from budget options.
- Why appearance alone doesn’t determine how secure a composite door really is.
- What actually affects warmth, stability, and long-term reliability.
- Why modern composite doors offer far more than most homeowners realise.
(Estimated Reading Time: 9-10 Minutes)
Intro: The composite door market is full of half-truths — let’s set it straight
Composite doors have become the default “premium” choice for UK homes. But as demand has grown, so has misinformation — often driven by marketing shortcuts rather than engineering reality.
After installing over 100,000 Solidors since 2008, we know exactly which composite door claims stand up in the real world — and which ones fall apart once the door is fitted and used every day.
This guide breaks down the most common composite door misconceptions and explains what actually matters when choosing the right door for your home.
Myth 1: “All composite doors are the same.”
This is the single biggest lie in the industry.
The Truth
Composite doors vary hugely depending on:
- Core material
- Skin type
- Thickness
- Frame quality
- Hardware
- Installation standards
A foam-filled GRP door costing £800 is nothing like a 48mm solid timber-core Solidor costing £1,800.
The difference is like comparing a fold-up camping chair with a hand-built oak armchair.
Same category, utterly different product.
Myth 2: “Foam-core doors are better insulated than timber.”
Manufacturers of cheap doors love this myth.
The Truth
Insulation is measured across the whole door system, not the foam.
Solidor’s U-value is 1.4 W/m²K.
Most foam-core GRP doors? 1.6–1.8+ W/m²K.
Why?
Because Solidor:
- Is thicker
- Compresses tighter
- Doesn’t warp
- Uses superior seals
- Has no flex, which stops draughts
Real-world performance beats brochure claims every time.
Myth 3: “Composite doors don’t warp.”
Manufacturers say this.
Customers believe it.
Reality disagrees.
The Truth
Foam-core composite doors warp all the time.
Heat bends them.
Cold shrinks them.
Frames twist.
Panels bow.
Solidor is the exception because:
- It uses a dense engineered timber core
- The slab doesn’t flex
- The skin is thermoplastic (not gel coat)
- The whole door is 48mm thick
If you want a door that actually won’t warp, choose Solidor.
Myth 4: “They’re all secure because they all look secure.”
Absolutely not.
The Truth
Security depends on:
- Panel density
- Locking system
- Frame rigidity
- Fixing depth
- Hardware quality
You can kick through a cheap GRP door panel.
We’ve seen it hundreds of times.
You cannot kick through a Solidor.
It’s a solid engineered slab.
Think of it like this:
- Cheap composite = fancy jacket over sponge
- Solidor = engineered timber shield with armour-hard skin
The difference is enormous.
Myth 5: “You can’t get modern styles in composite doors.”
Wrong.
You absolutely can.
The Truth
Solidor offers:
- Milano
- Genoa
- Rimini
- Brescia
- Ancona
- Garda
- And dozens more contemporary designs
Plus
- Bar handles
- Satin glass
- Minimalist glazing
- Anthracite, Midnight Grey, Black Ash, Peacock Blue
Composite doors are no longer just “cottage” products.
They’re modern, architectural, and stylish.
Myth 6: “Composite doors look plastic.”
Cheap ones do.
But Solidor isn’t cheap.
The Truth
Solidor finishes include:
- Deep, realistic woodgrain
- High-definition texture
- UV-stable colours
- Dual-colour options
- Thermoplastic skins (no chalking, no peeling)
They look like premium painted timber.
Most people can’t tell the difference from the pavement.
Myth 7: “Composite doors are maintenance-free.”
This one is almost true — but not quite.
The Truth
Composite doors need:
- A wash with warm water
- A hinge lubrication twice a year
- A check that nothing is obstructing compression seals
That’s it.
But they’re not “maintenance-free” — nothing that moves is.
Cheap composite doors?
They require endless adjustments because the foam flexes.
Solidor?
Minimal maintenance for decades.
Myth 8: “You can’t get a composite stable door.”
Massively outdated belief.
The Truth
Solidor makes the best stable doors in the UK — full stop.
Timber core = perfect rigidity.
GRP stable doors?
Total alignment nightmare.
If you want a stable door that:
- Lines up
- Locks properly
- Stays straight
- Actually looks good
…you want a Solidor stable door.
Myth 9: “Composite doors are too expensive.”
Only if you compare them to the wrong product.
The Truth
Compare a Solidor to:
- A GRP foam-core door
→ Yes, it’s more expensive.
But compare it to:
- A properly made timber door
- A high-end aluminium entrance door
- A premium GRP composite
→ Solidor is incredible value.
Especially because:
- It lasts 20–25 years
- It boosts kerb appeal
- It reduces heating loss
- It increases home security
- It requires no major maintenance
Expensive?
No.
Premium value?
Absolutely.
Myth 10: “All installers are basically the same.”
Oh no.
This one causes chaos.
The Truth
The installer is half the product.
A premium door fitted badly is a bad door.
A good installer knows:
- How the frame should be packed
- How the compression should sit
- How the hinges should adjust
- How the locks should be aligned
- How to seal properly
We’ve replaced thousands of composite doors that “failed” simply because they were installed badly.
When you buy through Timber Composite Doors:
- Every survey is handled in-house
- Every installation follows Solidor’s official guidelines
- Every job is guaranteed
- Every door is traceable to the factory
This is the difference between a cheap composite experience and a professional one.
Conclusion: The composite door market is confusing — but the truth is simple
Composite doors aren’t all the same.
Foam-core doors aren’t comparable to engineered timber-core doors.
Secure-looking isn’t the same as secure.
Price tags don’t tell the whole story.
And installers matter more than people realise.
If you want a door that:
- Looks premium
- Feels premium
- Performs brilliantly
- Stays secure
- Stays warm
- Stays straight
- Stays beautiful
…then you want a Solidor — installed properly, by the UK’s No.1 Solidor specialist.
🛒 Browse online: www.timbercompositedoors.com
📞 Or Call us: 01642 309576 for expert advice
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FAQ’s
Are all composite doors really different?
Yes. Composite doors vary hugely in core construction, skin material, thickness, hardware, and manufacturing quality.
Do composite doors warp over time?
Some do. Foam-core composite doors are prone to movement, while solid timber-core doors remain stable long-term.
Are composite doors secure?
High-quality composite doors are extremely secure, but budget versions can fail at the panel or frame rather than the lock.
Can composite doors look modern?
Absolutely. Modern composite door ranges include minimalist designs, contemporary colours, and architectural glazing options.
