Composite vs uPVC Garage Doors: Which Should You Choose?
When choosing a replacement garage door, homeowners now have more options besides timber or steel. More popular construction options for garage doors include uPVC and composite door systems. Each of the systems has a different balance of durability, appearance, and the effort required to maintain the systems. The choice comes down to which trade-offs the individual is willing to make for long-term reliability, low purchase cost, or minimal work to maintain the system.
What Is a Composite Garage Door?
Composite garage doors use a combination of materials (often a sandwich construction of foam core sandwiched between GRP or engineered timber). Doors constructed from multiple materials tend to be stronger and better insulated than their single-material counterparts.
Key characteristics of composite doors
- Foam core insulates with excellent thermal qualities
- Has extremely low rates of rotting, cracking and warping
- No maintenance required to maintain the appearance of timber
- Typically more expensive than uPVC or even basic steel doors
- Maintenance free after initial installation
Because composite doors are made using multiple materials, performance can be uniform across all door panels. This is likely part of the reason the majority of door installers now view composite doors as a premium option.
What Is a uPVC Garage Door?
Garage doors can now be made of unplasticised polyvinyl chloride (uPVC) – what has been used in various window designs in the past. While uPVC has the flexibility of plastic, when used in garage doors, it originates a ready made solution that is light weight and low cost. uPVC garage doors are also moisture resistant and do not rust.
Key characteristics of uPVC doors
- Lightweight and designed to minimise stress on the mechanism and motor
- Resistant to both rot and to corrosion
- Purchase price is lower than comparable composite materials
- Choices for colour are often less
- Less rigid when compared to composite or steel, especially on larger doors
Most homeowners are on a budget. Many homeowners choose uPVC doors because they are low maintenance and affordable. Unfortunately, most homeowners do not consider the finished look of uPVC doors because they break down and wear out much quicker than composite doors.
Comparing Durability
When it comes to durability, the differences are most noticeable. Composite doors, having rigid outer layers and a reinforced core, are less likely to dent or flex during the storms and keep their shapes better over time as compared to uPVC doors. uPVC doors can be brittle during cold weather and can therefore lose their shapes faster. They are also more likely to flex under pressure.
For garages that have more extreme weather conditions or get a lot of usage, composite tends to be more durable. uPVC can work great for many years for garages that are less used or have more protection from the elements.
Insulation and Energy Efficiency
You need to insulate the garage if it’s attached to your house, or if you use the space for a workshop, utility room, or similar. Insulating doors made of composite materials are better than standard uPVC doors. This is because insulating composite materials have better thermal performance than standard uPVC doors, which generally use thinner wall sections and less insulating materials.
Using composite decreases heat loss, which makes it the best choice if you want to keep your garage more comfortable and use it for equipment that is sensitive to temperature fluctuations, especially if you have a boiler or freezer in your garage.
Appearance and Kerb Appeal
Materials today can be finished in many ways, but composite doors are able to better mimic timber with woodgrain effects. These are great options for period properties because they don’t require as much maintenance as real timber. Since uPVC doors provide a more uniform finish, they can often be found in more modern homes.
Colour and finish options
uPVC products are usually sold in white, cream or the standard colours. Composite materials can be supplied in a much wider choice of colours and with wide range woodgrain effects and/or textured finishes.
If you need to match your garage door to your colour scheme or a specific front door, it can be prudent to check the colour ranges offered before purchasing. There can be significant variation among suppliers in the options they offer.
Maintenance Considerations
There are several benefits to using factory fit doors over timber doors requiring less work to maintain. There is no need to paint or treat them regularly like you do with all timber doors, making it easier for everyone, especially the busy households. There are still some key differences worth noting.
Composite and uPVC doors don’t require frequent washing. Composite doors rarely need more than an occasional wash with mild soapy water; uPVC doors can discolour slightly with prolonged UV exposure. Be sure to check for damage to seals and weatherstripping periodically with all door materials. Hardware and automation need to be serviced regardless of the type of door used.
Cost and Value for Money
Cost is an important aspect when purchasing items for the home. uPVC doors are more economical when you consider the cost to purchase. For budget conscious buyers or rental properties, these are are good option. Longevity is where composite doors out perform. With better thermal and weather resistance, composite doors often prove to be the better value.
It is necessary to consider the expected lifespan of each of the options to evaluate the true cost of each option. Instead of just looking at the price of purchase, the cost should be evaluated on an annual basis and the expected lifespan should be accounted for.
Which Should You Choose?
Finally, the best choice is subjective. If you’re looking for the best-looking, most insulated and durable door, and don’t mind spending a little more, composite is probably what you should go with. However, if you are looking to spend less and still want a low maintenance door that performs reliably over the years, the uPVC option is the better value.
Reach out to an installer and see what they have to say about your needs regarding insulation and exposure to the elements. also, give them some thought on how the door will interoperate with automation.
Once you have those details nailed down, you are much better prepared to make a final decision.