You may be pondering if it’s time to replace your old uPVC door. Perhaps the colour is fading, or there is draught starting to get though? You may even think that it’s not worth the expense to replace your door. In this blog, we’ll help you to make an informed decision regarding your old uPVC door, why and how you should replace it.

Why replace an old uPVC door

Older uPVC doors are less reliable – This can affect both the energy efficiency and security of your home, so while putting off paying for a new door may seem cheaper, it may prove to be a bad investment.
Advances in security and energy efficiency – Security and insulation features in newer doors have improved considerably over the years, making it a wise choice to upgrade your door.

When to replace a uPVC door

uPVC doors have an average lifespan of up to 20 years. Beyond this, it would be more beneficial to replace an older uPVC door with new door, rather than go to the expense of attempting to maintain it. Moreover, security and energy efficiency technologies will have likely improved over the years, making newer doors a better option.

uPVC Door replacement signs

Door draughts and leaks – A reliable entrance door should not allow draught to enter, nor leaks to pass into the home. With a new front door, energy savings should be noticeable, including the absence of draught and greater warmth indoors.
Failing security – A big factor in home security is ensuring that your entrance door provides adequate protection against forced entry. To improve home security, newer doors should have features such as multi-point locking systems that leave nothing to chance.
Fading colour – Older uPVC doors do not hold well against sunlight, with colours fading too easily. While an option may be to paint such a door, this is not recommended. Newer uPVC and composite doors hold colour much better, making them look newer for longer.
Warping or damage – Structural failings can make your old door a liability. It may not close properly or be too fragile. In such cases, it makes sense to replace this old door.

What is the best replacement door?

While this depends largely on budget, each of the following door types offers benefits.

Benefits of a new uPVC door

Cheaper than other doors – A uPVC door cost less than a composite door, making it a budget-friendly option.
Energy efficient – Multi-layered construction and glass reduce heat loss from indoors, while glass with warm edge spacer bars deflects straying heat back inwards. High performance weatherseals block out draught.
Security and reinforcement – With a multi-point locking system, toughened glass and steel reinforced frame, a newer uPVC door stands up to intruders better than an old one.
Improved colour – Newer uPVC doors are designed to withstand direct sunlight and rain better than older ones, ensuring that they look like new for longer.

Old white uPVC door and new rosewood uPVC door

Benefits of a new composite door

Natural wood-like appearance – A composite door looks just like a wooden door, which may benefit customers looking for a more natural aesthetic.
Energy efficient – As with uPVC doors, a composite door is multi-layered and uses warm edge spacer bar technology within the glass to minimise heat loss, and uses high performance weatherseals to keep out the cold. It is also denser than uPVC, making it more effective for insulation.
Secure and sturdy – In addition to a multi-point locking system, toughened glass and steel-reinforced frame, a composite door is sturdier than a lightweight uPVC door, offering greater resistance to force.
Low maintenance – A composite door has a UV resistant and weather resistant finish that requires little in the way of cleaning, and continues to look like new without the need for repainting.
Long lifespan – While a uPVC door can last up to 20 years, a composite door can last up to 30 years will proper care.

Old white uPVC door and new chartwell green composite door

Benefits of a new Rock Door

Natural wood-like appearance – In the same way as standard composite doors, a Rock Door offers the same natural wooden appearance as a timber door. In fact, it was the first composite door created for the UK market designed to replace wooden doors.
Energy efficient – Not only does a Rock Door include the same multi-layered properties as a standard composite door, the glass is also sealed within the door slab for more seamless draught exclusion. Rock Doors also include twin-seal gaskets for further draught resistance.
Highest security – A Rock Door offers higher security than uPVC and standard composite doors, not only with an aluminium-reinforced frame and multi-point locking system, but also with S-Glaze technology to seal glass directly into the slab to prevent potential tampering.
Low maintenance – Like standard composites, a Rock Door is built to withstand the elements and stay looking like new without the need for repainting.
Long lifespan – A Rock Door can last as long as a standard composite door.

Summary of door benefits

	UPVC	Composite	Rock Door
Lifespan	up to 20 years	up to 30 years	up to 30 years
Price	£	££	£££
Security	very good	great	excellent
Energy efficiency	very good	great	excellent
Maintenance	low	low	low

Ready to upgrade your door?

Good! Here are ways to get started:

Call us free – Phone 0800 910 1122 free and peak to our door experts.
Message us – Either via the Quick Message tab or by visiting our Contact Us page.
View our styles online – Browse through hundreds of styles. Our doors are available Fully Fitted or Supply Only.

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Replacing an Old uPVC Door