Your front door needs to look the part, stand up to the Welsh weather and, above all, help keep your home safe. That’s quite a lot to ask of one door.
If you’re thinking about replacing an older timber front door, you’ve probably wondered whether a modern composite door offers better protection. And with so many styles, colours and locking systems available, it can be difficult to know which features actually make a difference.
The good news is that composite doors can offer excellent security when they’re properly specified and installed. At Falcon Installations, we supply Xtreme Composite Doors, which combine a traditional door-like appearance with a robust construction and a range of security features designed to help protect your home.
So, what makes them secure, and what should you look for when choosing yours?
What makes a composite door secure?
The first thing to understand is that security doesn’t come down to one feature. A strong door needs a reliable locking system, a suitable frame and hardware that works together to make forced entry more difficult.
That’s where the construction of an Xtreme Composite Door comes into play.
Rather than being made from a single piece of timber, Xtreme doors feature a rigid polymer subframe, a high-density polyurethane foam core and an impact-resistant glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) outer skin. Together, these materials create a strong door designed to cope with everyday use and the demands of an external entrance.
But what’s happening beneath the surface is only half the story. The locking system is just as important.
Five-point locking
Xtreme Composite Doors feature a five-point locking system, securing the door at multiple points rather than relying on a single central lock.
The lock cylinder also matters. Xtreme doors feature cylinders designed to resist common attack methods, including snapping, picking, bumping and drilling.
These features work together to make gaining entry through the door more difficult. And because security is about the complete door rather than one impressive-sounding specification, it’s worth asking how the locking system, frame and other components work together.
What about the glass?
A glazed front door can bring natural light into your hallway and add character to your home’s entrance. It doesn’t automatically mean sacrificing security, either.
Xtreme Composite Doors use internally beaded glazing, meaning the glazing beads that hold the glass in place are fitted on the inside. This helps prevent the glazing units from being removed from outside the property.
If you’re choosing a door with decorative or privacy glass, it’s still worth discussing the glazing specification with your installer so you know exactly what’s included.
Are composite doors more secure than traditional timber doors?
Timber doors have been a familiar feature of British homes for generations, and a solid, well-maintained timber door with suitable locks can still provide good security.
The trouble is that older doors can become more difficult to maintain over time. Exposure to rain, changes in temperature and everyday wear can affect the condition of the door, its finish and the way it fits within the frame. Swelling or warping can also make a door harder to open, close and lock properly.
A composite door offers a different approach. The Xtreme Door’s combination of materials is designed to provide strength and durability, while its GRP outer skin offers a finish that doesn’t require the same regular sanding, painting or treating associated with many traditional timber doors.
There’s also plenty of choice when it comes to appearance. Whether you prefer a classic wood-effect finish or a bold, contemporary colour, you can find a design that suits your property without having to choose between traditional style and modern practicality.
Of course, a door’s material alone doesn’t determine how secure it is. The condition of the existing door, the locking system, the frame and the quality of installation all play a part. The advantage of choosing a well-specified composite door is that these features can be considered together when planning your replacement.
How can you choose a secure composite door that suits your home?
Security is important, but your front door is also one of the first things people notice about your property. Fortunately, you don’t have to settle for a design you don’t love to get the features you need.
At Falcon Installations, you can explore the Xtreme Composite Door range and use our online door designer to experiment with different options before making your decision.
You can explore door styles, colours, glazing and hardware to see how different combinations work together. Prefer something understated that complements a traditional property? Or would you rather make a statement with a contemporary colour and distinctive hardware? The designer helps you explore the possibilities before discussing your final specification with our team.
As you narrow down your choices, keep these five things in mind:
- The locking system. Check which locks and security features are included as standard.
- The door’s construction. Look at the materials used and how they’re designed to contribute to the door’s strength and durability.
- The security credentials. Ask about the relevant testing, certification and any available upgrades.
- The glazing and hardware. Make sure the specification meets your requirements, particularly if you’re choosing a door with glass panels.
- The installation. Even a quality door needs to be fitted correctly. Make sure the frame and locking system are properly installed so the complete door performs as intended.
It’s worth taking the time to ask these questions before choosing a style. That way, you can feel confident about what’s behind the design, as well as how it looks.
So, how secure are composite doors?
A well-made composite door can offer excellent security, particularly when it combines robust construction, a suitable multi-point locking system and the right security credentials.
Xtreme Composite Doors bring these features together with a choice of traditional and contemporary designs, giving homeowners the opportunity to improve their entrance without compromising on the look of their property.
And because every home is different, choosing the right door is about more than picking a colour from a brochure. It’s about finding a design and specification that work for your home, your priorities and your budget.
Thinking about a new front door? Explore the Xtreme Composite Door range today, or get in touch with our team for a free quote. We’ll help you find an option that looks right for your home and gives you confidence in its security.
