subject: Basic Elements of New Doors Made From Fibreglass or UPVC [print this page] Basic Elements of New Doors Made From Fibreglass or UPVC
Although timber doors are still very popular, many homeowners are investigating different options including new doors in fibreglass and UPVC. How these products designed and what are the benefits of choosing them? Door retailers are seeing more and more consumers recognizing the value in these products and subsequently the sales are catching up with timber.
Basics of Fibreglass and Steel Doors
The internal core of these doors is made from timber, which offers excellent levels of insulation. Add in the foam used around that timber and these products offer an impressive amount of installation that will help you to reduce your heating and cooling bills. The foam is made from polyurethane and is entirely safe and long lasting.
All of that is clad or covered in either fibreglass or steel. Fibreglass is a mixture of glass fibres and resin that forms an extremely weather resistant material. The steel used is industry grade and can generally be painted any colour you like. Both of these finishes offer a low maintenance alternative, although this design is not impervious to damage. Steel will dent and scratch from abuse and fibreglass can chip and scratch if not treated well.
Any windows included in the door should be double glazed and fit into a UPVC window frame that is pinned to the timber doorframe and rests on the steel or fibreglass coating. Thickness of the door varies by manufacturer, but a standard thickness of 44mm supplies decent levels of security.
Basic Elements of a UPVC Door set
This product is putting pressure on timber as the most popular type of exterior door. UPVC is maintenance free and very weather resistant. It is available in a small selection of popular colours and has good levels of insulation.
The UPVC surrounds steel reinforcement for a rigid and highly durable door. This combination offers solid security and a low maintenance finish in the same door. You can wipe clean with a simple water-based solution and never worry about corrosion (as you do with steel doors) or rotting (as you do with timber doors).
Windows are fit into UPVC doors in the same way as fibreglass or steel doors - double glazing set in UPVC frames that is pinned to the steel reinforcements and sits on the outer shell of the door.
Both types of door can be fit with a variety of locksets, windows and other door accessories. They can be installed in single door designs or double doors (with a middle post or without) and are most often built with painted wooden frames. Vinyl clad timber frames are also used on occasion.
Most retailers will carry new doors in a variety of materials. Look for your preferred style and size and then choose which material will work best on your home. A solid exterior door will last for years providing security and an attractive entranceway to your family home.
