GRP v SolidCoreSolidCore Doors VS GRP Composite Doors - Which is Better? We provide both!
GRP Composite Doors
GRP or Glass Reinforced Plastic (fiberglass) Composite Doors have been around since the 1990's and are typically filled with foam, making them highly thermally efficient.
The outer layer of a GRP Composite Door is made of two GRP skins bonded to a solid frame which is then filled with insulation which is usually a high density foam. Unfortunately, due to this foam the door slab currently cannot be recycled.
The gel coated GRP skins on the outer layer of the door can be vulnerable to scratching on the surface as it is a sprayed colour finish. High quality GRP Doors offer very good security. However, there are some very cheaply made versions available on the UK market. These cheaply made GRP Doors, tend to have extremely thin skins which compromise security, and often use insulation that is almost like loft insulation rather than the solid foam as used on a higher quality GRP door.
This has lead to many insurance companies now explicitly asking for replacement doors for your home to be a SolidCore Door.
- High thermal efficiency
- Good security (on high quality GRP doors)
- Slightly cheaper than Solid Core
- Easy to clean and maintain
SolidCore Composite Doors
SolidCore Composite Doors are a relatively new product in the industry and are made from multiple layers of laminated timber with either uPVC, ABS or Fibreglass Skins.
During the manufacturing process, these multiple layers of timber are placed so that the grains are laid in different directions to make the door sturdier and more structurally sound.
As SolidCore Doors are mainly made of timber, the door slabs are at least twice as heavy as a foam filled GRP Door. This also makes for a much higher strength door slab.
SolidCore Doors are the preferred choice of door by the vast majority of insurance companies. SolidCore Doors are also more environmentally friendly as they are mainly made from wood they can be recycled at the end of their life.
Ask us about our Composite SolidCore Doors that have either ABS (Acrylonitrile Butadiene Styrene) or uPVC skins which provide a robust thermo-plastic door skin, making them incredibly durable. These skins are designed with ‘through colour’ so scratches are almost impossible.
- Extremely high security
- Preferred choice by most insurance companies
- Easy to clean and maintain
- Our uPVC skinned Solid Cores are almost impossible to scratch
- Colour finish on the uPVC skins are resistant to chemicals
- Can be recycled at the end of its life
- Less chance of bowing / warping
Colours
We now offer 13 different colours available internally as well as externally so you can make your door as individual as you want. With 9 of those being available on the external frame colour.
Side Panels
All of our doors are available with side panels and top boxes either in full glass or dependent on the width of your side panel you can have a matching composite side panel.
All side panels are fastened to the door using heavy duty 20mm aluminium coupling sections and then clad in PVC.
Our composite side panel gives even more choice. You can choose from 7 different designs, in 10 colours, with dozens of glass options – but, uniquely you can have a choice of width. All of which can carry the letterbox.
Hardware
A front door speaks volumes about a property. Now you can make even more of a statement with our range hardware including contemporary furniture suites which can transform a front door into a real property feature.
The doors have fully suited hardware so whether you choose gold, chrome or black hardware to finish your door, you can be sure of a perfect match.
Everything from knockers and numbers to handles and hinges are designed as a complete suite.
The Edges
The hinge edge of your door has a PVC edging. Then we cut through the edging so that whichever hinge you selected sits neatly inside the edge of your door. To make the door super-strong, the lock edge has been fitted with a full length of 4mm thick, powder coated aluminium lock strip. Then your preferred lock sits flush inside your door.
Reglazable
Making a door to just hold the glass is easy. But have you ever thought about what happens if the glass unit breaks down in that composite door you fitted? You will want that door to have been a Door-Stop door.
Our unique and patented glazing cassette can be removed from the inside to let you simply change the glass and reuse the cassette. You won’t need a new door because it has been damaged whilst trying to follow impossible deglazing knacks and techniques! All of our doors are reglazable except for FD30s Fire Doors
Internal Colour
Providing the composite door market with even more choice, we are pleased to announce the expansion of our product offering with a new option that allows customers to specify a colour on both sides of their chosen front door. With the same stunning range of 13 colours to choose from, the new option allows customers to mix and match shades to suit the inside and outside of their home.
One colour can be selected for the external side of the door and a completely different colour for the interior, allowing the door to truly reflect the homeowner’s personality and complement both the building’s character and internal design.
