Compare composite doors and aluminium doors for security, warmth, style, cost, and lifespan. Find out which is right for your home.
What You’ll Learn:
- Why material choice affects strength, stability, and everyday use.
- Traditional kerb appeal versus minimalist, architectural design.
- How each door performs in real UK conditions — not brochure claims.
- Why composite doors deliver better value for most homeowners.
(Estimated Reading Time: 7-8 Minutes)
Introduction: Two premium door options — but only one suits most homes
If you’re choosing between composite doors and aluminium doors, you’re already in the premium market. Both are modern, secure, and visually impressive.
But premium doesn’t always mean practical.
After fitting thousands of composite doors and hundreds of aluminium entrances since 2008, we’ve seen exactly where each excels — and where one clearly makes more sense for everyday UK homes.
This guide explains when aluminium is the right choice, when composite doors are the smarter option, and why most homeowners ultimately choose composite.
1. Construction: The core difference that defines everything
Let’s strip both door types back to basics.
Composite (Solidor)
- 48mm solid timber-core slab
- Thermoplastic, colour-stable outer skin
- Rigid, heavy, high-density design
- Multiple layers bonded under pressure
Composite doors are hybrid doors engineered for long-term stability, security, and kerb appeal.
Aluminium Doors
- Aluminium outer/panel frame
- Solid insulated thermal core
- High-strength metal structure
- Powder-coated surface
Aluminium doors are technically stunning — but engineered for very specific architectural environments.
Verdict: Both are premium — but engineered for different purposes.
2. Appearance: Traditional beauty vs architectural minimalism
This is where the two materials separate dramatically.
Composite Doors (Solidor)
Perfect for:
- Traditional homes
- Suburban estates
- Victorian terraces
- Semi-detacheds
- Cottages
- Townhouses
Composite doors offer:
- Deep woodgrain textures
- Raised mouldings
- Classic and heritage styles
- Contemporary designs (Milano, Garda, Genoa, etc.)
- Dual-colour options
- 20+ colours
They look and feel like timber — but without the maintenance.
Aluminium Doors
Perfect for:
- Modern builds
- Architect-designed properties
- Large entrance halls
- Minimalist homes
- Rendered or clad exteriors
Aluminium looks:
- Clean
- Sharp
- Stylish
- Seamless
- Ultra-modern
It’s more of an architectural statement than a “door.”
Verdict:
Composite = Best for 90% of UK homes
Aluminium = Best for prestige modern homes
3. Security: Both strong — but for different reasons
This is a close category, and both perform brilliantly.
Composite (Solidor) Security
- Solid timber core = uncuttable
- Ultion 3-Star Plus lock as standard
- PAS24 compliant
- Reinforced frame
- Dense structure resists forced impact
Aluminium Security
- Thicker aluminium skins
- Multi-point locking
- Anti-lift hinges
- Structural rigidity
The truth?
Both are extremely secure when manufactured correctly.
However — real-world data from our 17 years of installs shows:
Solidor edges ahead in burglary resistance due to the timber core and Ultion lock system.
Verdict: Solidor composite wins by a small margin.
4. Thermal Performance: Warmer than most people expect
This is a category most buyers misunderstand.
Composite Doors
- U-values around 1.4 W/m²K
- Thicker core
- Strong compression seals
- Better draught-proofing in UK climates
Aluminium Doors
- Older versions were poor insulators
- New premium models around 1.2–1.6 W/m²K
- Thermal breaks improve performance
- Much more dependent on manufacturer quality
However — aluminium expands and contracts more with temperature changes.
That’s why aluminium is excellent for bi-folds and sliders, but less ideal for small, intensely used front doors in British weather.
Verdict: Solidor composite is more stable and reliable in UK thermal conditions.
5. Noise Reduction: A clear difference
Composite
Dense timber core = excellent soundproofing.
Aluminium
Hollow metal panels rely on internal insulation — varies massively by brand.
Verdict: Composite is significantly quieter — especially on busy roads.
6. Maintenance: Low for both — but aluminium needs more attention than you think
Composite (Solidor)
- Wash with warm water
- Lubricate hinges twice a year
- Colour won’t fade or chalk
- No repainting
- No corrosion
Aluminium
- Powder coating lasts well — but not invincible
- Requires routine cleaning
- Vulnerable to:
- Scuffs
- Salt corrosion near coast
- Discolouration
- Chemical staining
- Needs more careful maintenance in seafront locations
Verdict: Composite wins for low maintenance — especially in coastal areas.
7. Sizes & Customisation: Aluminium dominates large openings
If your doorway is unusually large, wide, or bespoke, aluminium has an advantage.
Composite
- Max height: ~2,100–2,200mm
- Max width: limited
- Standard / premium sizes
- Perfect for most UK openings
Aluminium
- Excellent for oversized entrances
- Flush doors
- Pivot doors
- 2.4–3m heights
- Seamless side glazing
If your architect has specified a pivot door or a monumental entrance, aluminium is the only practical choice.
Verdict: Composite for normal homes — aluminium for large architectural entrances.
8. Price: This is where homeowners get the biggest shock
Composite (Solidor) fully fitted
£1,490–£1,750
Aluminium entrance door fully fitted
£2,300–£2,600+
Premium pivot models: £7,000–£12,000+
Some designs exceed £15,000.
Aluminium is a big investment — and for average homes, it simply isn’t necessary.
Verdict: Composite offers far better value.
9. Longevity & Lifespan
Composite (Solidor)
20–25+ years
Stable. Reliable. Proven since 2008.
Aluminium
20–30+ years
Excellent lifespan — but requires slightly more maintenance and depends on coating quality.
Verdict: Draw — both long-lasting when fitted well.
10. The Honest Bottom Line: Which should you choose?
Let’s strip this right down.
Choose a Solidor Composite Door if:
- You live in a traditional, suburban, or period home
- You want maximum thermal comfort
- You want the strongest security
- You want minimal maintenance
- You want the best value
- You want classic or woodgrain styling
- You don’t want to spend £4,000+
This is 90% of UK homeowners.
Choose an Aluminium Door if:
- You live in a modern architectural property
- You need a very tall, wide, or pivot-style entrance
- You want a hyper-minimalist look
- You don’t mind spending £3,000–£10,000
- You’re willing to maintain the surface more carefully
This is a niche, but important, group.
Conclusion: For most homes, Solidor wins on practicality, performance, comfort, and cost
Aluminium doors are impressive — no doubt about it.
But they’re overkill for most UK properties, and you pay heavily for the styling.
Solidor composite doors offer:
- Better warmth
- Better soundproofing
- Equal or better security
- Lower price
- Longer stability
- Wider styling appeal
And when installed by Timber Composite Doors, you get the UK’s No.1 Solidor specialist — with 17 years and 100,000+ installs to prove it.
🛒 Browse online: www.timbercompositedoors.com
📞 Or Call us: 01642 309576 for expert advice
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Browse Our Articles
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- What is a Composite Front Door?
- Trade Solidor Composite Doors: looking for trade prices? Visit our trade site, The Trade Village
FAQ’s
Are composite doors as secure as aluminium doors?
Yes. High-quality composite doors offer equal — and in many cases superior — security thanks to their dense core and advanced locking systems.
Which door is warmer: composite or aluminium?
Composite doors generally perform more consistently in UK climates, offering excellent insulation and draught resistance.
Do aluminium doors last longer than composite doors?
Both can last 20+ years when properly manufactured and installed, but composite doors typically require less maintenance over their lifespan.
Are aluminium doors worth the extra cost?
Only for specific properties such as modern architectural homes with oversized or pivot entrances. For most homes, composite doors offer better value.
