Composite, Aluminium or UPVC: Which Front Door Material Should You Choose?

Your front door makes a statement. It's the first thing visitors see, it affects your home's security and energy efficiency, and it's something you'll use multiple times every day for years. Getting the material choice right matters.

The three main options for modern front doors are composite, aluminium, and UPVC. Each has genuine strengths and weaknesses, and the right choice depends on your priorities, your budget, and the style of your home.

Composite Doors

Composite doors are currently the most popular choice for residential front doors in the UK, and for good reason. They combine several materials to deliver a door that's secure, energy-efficient, and available in a wide range of styles.

What they're made of:

A composite door typically has a solid timber or insulating foam core, covered with a Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) skin on the outside and a UPVC or timber interior face. The frame is usually UPVC or timber. High-end versions may use a solid timber core with multiple insulating layers.

The GRP outer skin can be moulded to look like traditional timber grain, giving you the appearance of a wooden door without the maintenance requirements.

Strengths:

• Security: The solid core and multi-point locking systems make composite doors very secure. Many achieve Secured by Design accreditation.
• Insulation: Excellent thermal performance with U-values typically around 1.0-1.6 W/m²K. Much better than old wooden or basic UPVC doors.
• Low maintenance: The GRP skin doesn't need painting, won't rot, and is resistant to fading. An occasional wipe-down is all that's required.
• Appearance: Available in numerous styles from traditional panelled designs to contemporary options. The woodgrain effect looks convincing up close.
• Durability: Won't warp, crack, or shrink like timber can. The GRP surface resists scratches and dents well.

Weaknesses:

• Weight: Composite doors are heavy. This isn't usually a problem, but it means hinges and frames need to be robust.
• Cost: More expensive than basic UPVC doors, though prices have become more competitive.
• Heat expansion: In very hot direct sun, dark-coloured composite doors can expand slightly. Quality doors manage this, but it's worth being aware of.

Best for: Most homes where a good balance of security, insulation, appearance, and value is wanted. Particularly suits traditional and transitional property styles.

Typical cost: £1,200 to £2,500 installed, depending on style and specification.

Aluminium Doors

Aluminium front doors are the premium choice, offering a distinctively modern aesthetic and exceptional durability. They're increasingly popular for contemporary homes and renovations.

What they're made of:

An aluminium door has a frame and outer skins made from powder-coated aluminium sections. The door panel itself contains insulating material (typically polyurethane foam) sandwiched between aluminium faces. Quality aluminium doors use "thermally broken" frames, where the inner and outer aluminium sections are separated by a non-conductive material to prevent cold bridging.

Strengths:

• Appearance: Clean, slim sightlines that suit modern architecture. Available in virtually any RAL colour with a durable powder-coated finish.
• Strength: Aluminium is inherently strong, allowing for larger glass areas and slimmer frames than other materials.
• Longevity: Aluminium doesn't rot, warp, or degrade. The powder coating lasts for decades without fading or peeling.
• Low maintenance: Even easier to care for than composite. Just wipe clean occasionally.
• Security: The material strength combined with modern locking systems provides excellent security.
• Fire resistance: Aluminium is non-combustible, which can be relevant in some situations.

Weaknesses:

• Cost: Aluminium doors are significantly more expensive than composite or UPVC alternatives.
• Thermal performance: Historically a weakness, but modern thermally broken aluminium doors now achieve good U-values (1.2-1.8 W/m²K). Still not quite as insulating as the best composite doors.
• Style range: The aesthetic is distinctly modern. If you want a traditional panelled door, composite is a better choice.
• Condensation: Cheaper aluminium doors without proper thermal breaks can suffer from condensation in cold weather.

Best for: Contemporary homes, modern extensions, barn conversions, and anywhere a sleek, architectural look is desired. Also good where maximum glazing is wanted.

Typical cost: £2,500 to £5,000+ installed, depending on size and specification.

UPVC Doors

UPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) doors have been the standard choice for decades. They're affordable, practical, and do the job, but they're generally considered the entry-level option.

What they're made of:

UPVC doors have a frame and door panel made from extruded plastic sections, typically with steel reinforcement inside. The door panel may be solid UPVC or a composite of materials. Glazed sections use sealed double or triple glazed units.

Strengths:

• Affordability: The cheapest option for a new front door. Good for tight budgets.
• Low maintenance: No painting required. Easy to clean with soap and water.
• Weather resistance: UPVC handles rain and moisture well without degrading.
• Established technology: UPVC doors have been around for decades, so installation and repair are straightforward.

Weaknesses:

• Appearance: UPVC looks like plastic, because it is. Even the better examples lack the solidity and premium feel of composite or aluminium.
• Security: Basic UPVC doors are less secure than composite alternatives. Higher-spec versions close the gap but cost more.
• Thermal performance: Varies widely. Budget UPVC doors have mediocre insulation. Better versions approach composite performance but at composite prices.
• Durability: UPVC can yellow or discolour over time, particularly in direct sunlight. The surface is more prone to scratches than GRP or powder-coated aluminium.
• Environmental concerns: UPVC production and disposal raise environmental questions that bother some buyers.

Best for: Buyers on a tight budget, rental properties, or situations where the door is a temporary measure before a future upgrade.

Typical cost: £600 to £1,500 installed, depending on specification.

Quick Comparison

Questions to Help You Decide

What style is your home?

Traditional, period, or cottage properties usually look best with composite doors that mimic the appearance of timber. Modern, contemporary, or recently built homes can carry aluminium doors well. UPVC works where budget is the primary concern and aesthetics are secondary.

What's your budget?

If you have £1,500-2,500 to spend, composite offers the best all-round value. If you can stretch to £3,000+, aluminium becomes an option for the right property. If you need to stay under £1,000, UPVC is your only realistic choice.

How important is thermal efficiency?

For the best insulation, composite doors generally lead, though premium aluminium doors now compete closely. Basic UPVC doors lag behind.

How long do you plan to stay?

If you're in your "forever home," investing in a quality composite or aluminium door makes sense. If you're likely to move in a few years, the payback period for a premium door is shorter.

See Them in Person

The differences between door materials are much clearer in person. The solidity of a composite door, the sleekness of aluminium, the lightness of UPVC. At our Grantham showroom, we have entrance doors from leading manufacturers including Eurocell and Hormann that you can see and operate.

For advice on which material suits your home and situation, get in touch or visit the showroom. We'll help you find the right door without pushing you toward the most expensive option.

GDCG supplies and installs entrance doors across Lincolnshire, Nottinghamshire, and Leicestershire. We offer composite, aluminium, and UPVC options to suit different needs and budgets. Contact us for a free survey and quote.