Composite Doors vs uPVC Doors in Scotland: The Ultimate Guide
- 12 June 2025
- News
uPVC Door
Choosing the Best Front Door for West of Scotland Homes
Looking for the right front door for your home in Scotland? In this guide, we compare composite doors vs uPVC doors, covering everything from security and insulation to weather resistance and cost. With cold, damp weather in Glasgow and across the West, your door choice matters more than ever.
🔐 Security: Which Door Is Safer?
Composite doors offer top-tier home security. With a solid timber core and a GRP skin, they’re built to withstand force. Ours come with high-spec multi-point locking systems and reinforced frames. Our Stronghold range also have 32mm triple glazed units as standard.
uPVC doors also offer good security and are Secure by Design but are more lightweight and less robust under attack. Locks can be upgraded, but the door itself offers less resistance to intruders.
Key Takeaway: For homeowners in Glasgow and the West of Scotland, composite doors are the most secure choice.
🕰️ Durability & Longevity
Composite doors last 30+ years with minimal maintenance. They’re scratch-resistant, won’t swell in damp conditions, and maintain their shape in all seasons.
uPVC doors last around 15–20 years but may become brittle or discoloured with time, especially in sun-exposed locations.
🌧️ Wet Weather Performance: Ideal for the Scottish Climate
With frequent rain, damp winters, and salty coastal air, doors in the West of Scotland need to perform in extreme conditions.
- Composite doors resist warping, swelling, and draughts. Perfect for Scottish homes exposed to harsh weather.
- uPVC doors are weather-resistant but more prone to expansion, draughts, and minor warping over time.
☀️ Sunlight, Warping & Colour Fading
Composite doors come with UV-resistant coatings that prevent fading and distortion. Even south-facing homes in Scotland can trust their colour and shape to last. Our Stronghold Composite Doors are 100% UK Manufactured and designed for the British climate.
uPVC doors are more prone to discolouration and heat distortion, but improvements in new technology means that you can expect a newly installed uPVC door to last you well beyond the 10 year guarantee.
🎨 Colour & Design Options
Composite Door
Composite doors offer hundreds of colours and woodgrain effects that mimic real timber. Decorative glass, chrome handles, and bold colours are easy to customise. We have a full range of doors to match anything you want, and our painting service can match any Ral, F&B or BS Colour.
uPVC doors offer slightly more limited colour choices and a plainer appearance. Our door panels are premium and look like a composite door, but up close you can tell the difference. Standard colours are white, anthracite grey, black, rosewood and oak. Any other colours can be achieved but will come with a higher price tag. Our uPVC door brochure can be seen here.
⚙️ Lock Quality & Hardware
Both options come with multi-point locking systems. Our Stronghold Range comes with stainless steel hardware in Champagne Gold, Graphite, White, Black, Satin Stainless Steel or Polished Stainless Steel.
Our uPVC doors are fitted with premium locks and are Secure by Design. Our hardware options are Chrome, Brushed Silver, White and Gold.
uPVC Door and Side Screens
⚖️ Weight, Feel & Fitting
Composite doors are heavier and more solid — they feel premium when opened and closed. That weight means professional installation is key for long-term performance. 3 Star High Security Euro Cylinder as standard.
uPVC doors are lighter and easier to install, but they can feel less secure and durable under everyday use.
💷 Cost Comparison: Composite vs uPVC Doors
On average:
- uPVC Door: £900 – £1,150
- Composite Door: £1,900–£2,250+
This is based on a door only – fan lights and side screens are extra.
uPVC is cheaper upfront, but composite offers better insulation, security, and lifespan — making it a better long-term investment.
⚠️ Common Door Issues
| Problem | uPVC Door | Composite Door |
|---|---|---|
| Warping | Rare | Watch dark colours south facing |
| Colour fade | Yes | Rare |
| Draughts | No | Rare |
| Swelling in wet weather | No | No |
| Maintenance required | Low | Low |
Black Composite Door
🌦️ Best Front Door for Scottish Weather?
West of Scotland homes face constant wind, rain and cold. Your front door must withstand this year after year.
- Composite doors are engineered for harsh climates and high energy efficiency.
- uPVC doors work fine for a number of years but may not keep up long-term in Scotland’s climate.
🧠 Summary: Which Door Should You Choose?
| Feature | Best Choice |
|---|---|
| Security | Composite |
| Weather Resistance | Composite |
| Kerb Appeal | Composite |
| Budget Option | uPVC |
| Maintenance | Composite |
For Scottish homes, especially across Glasgow, Dunbartonshire, Ayrshire, and Renfrewshire, composite doors offer unmatched benefits in security, style, and resistance to the elements.
📞 Ready to Upgrade Your Door?
At Williams Windows, we supply and install both composite and uPVC doors in Glasgow and across the West of Scotland. Our experts are here to help you choose the perfect door for your home and budget.
👉 Book a no-obligation appointment
📞 Call us on 0141 941 3050
📧 Email us at info@WilliamsWindows.co.uk
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