Where the money goes in a composite door, and which upgrades are worth paying for.
A composite door is a manufactured slab, a frame, a glazing unit and a lock set — and each of those four elements has a budget version and a premium version. That is why the same doorway can be quoted at very different prices by two installers.
This guide explains what you are actually paying for, so you can spend your budget on the parts that matter for security and longevity rather than the parts that only affect the brochure photo.
Composite slabs differ in core material, thickness and skin quality. A solid timber-core slab feels and performs differently from a foam-filled one, and the difference shows up in the price before any glazing is added.
Colour matters too: standard colours are held in stock, while bespoke or dual-colour finishes are made to order and cost more.
Glazed apertures, decorative glass designs and obscure privacy levels all change the unit price. Adding a side panel or a top light effectively adds a second frame section and can cost as much as a portion of the door itself.
Cylinder standard, multipoint lock quality, hinge bolts and letterplate design are where a door either resists a determined attempt or does not. If you trim the budget anywhere, do not trim it here.
Send a photo and rough measurements and we'll come back with a specification and a fixed price.
Slab construction, glazing design, frame colour and lock specification are all independent choices. Two doors that look similar from the street can be built very differently.
Not usually double, but it is a significant addition because it needs its own frame, glazing unit and sealing.
For a front door, generally yes — the thicker slab is more rigid and more secure. For a back or utility door, a good uPVC door is often the sensible choice.