uPVC Doors Cambridge

Very secure, provided the door is specified and fitted properly. Modern uPVC doors use multi-point locking systems that secure the door into the frame at three to five points when you lift the handle, rather than relying on a single latch. The frames are reinforced with galvanised steel, and the cylinders we fit are anti-snap and anti-pick rated. Older uPVC doors from the 1990s and 2000s had weaker cylinders that could be snapped, which is where the material’s poor reputation came from. A current door fitted to PAS 24 standard is a genuine deterrent. Fitting quality matters too, since a poorly fitted door can be levered.

A good quality uPVC door should last 20 to 30 years with basic care. The material does not rot, warp or rust, and modern profiles are UV stabilised so white doors no longer yellow the way early ones did. The parts most likely to wear are the moving ones: hinges, locking gearboxes and handles. These can all be replaced without changing the door, which is a repair rather than a replacement job. Our doors come with a 10 year guarantee covering the profile and hardware, so the first decade is covered either way. Most doors outlive the guarantee comfortably.

Almost none, which is the main reason people choose them over timber. A wash with warm soapy water two or three times a year keeps the frame looking new, and a small amount of light oil on the hinges and locking points once a year keeps everything moving smoothly. There is no sanding, priming or repainting, ever. Avoid abrasive cleaners and solvent based products, which can dull the surface. Woodgrain foiled doors need exactly the same care as smooth white ones. If a door starts to catch or the handle stiffens, it usually just needs a hinge adjustment, which takes minutes.

Less than you would think, and the question is slightly the wrong one. uPVC doors are built from profile systems such as Rehau, Eurocell and Deceuninck, and the leading systems all perform to similar standards on energy and security. What separates a good door from a bad one is the specification (locking hardware, reinforcement, glass) and above all the installation. A premium profile fitted out of square will drag, leak and disappoint. A mid-range profile fitted properly will run smoothly for decades. So rather than chasing a brand name, ask who is fitting it, what hardware is included and what the guarantee covers.

uPVC is the cheaper of the two, usually by a clear margin, because a composite door adds a solid timber or foam core wrapped in a GRP skin. What you get for the extra money is a thicker, heavier door with the look and feel of painted timber, which is why composites are the popular choice for front doors where kerb appeal matters. For back doors, side doors and heavily glazed doors, uPVC does the same practical job for less. Both take the same multi-point locking. You can compare the two properly on our composite doors Cambridge page.

You can, and B&Q, Wickes and the online door retailers all sell uPVC doors supplied only. The catch is threefold. Off-the-shelf doors come in standard sizes, and very few Cambridge doorways are standard, so you often end up packing gaps or trimming frames. Fitting has to be millimetre accurate or the locking will not engage smoothly. And a supply-only door fitted by a general handyman is not FENSA certified, which causes paperwork problems when you sell. A made-to-measure door, supplied and fitted with certification and one company responsible for the whole job, usually costs less than people expect. Get both quotes and compare.

Fitting a replacement uPVC door usually takes two to four hours, assuming the new frame is a straight swap for the old one. Our installers remove the old door and frame, fit and level the new frame, seal it, hang the door and adjust the locking. You can use the door the same day. If the opening needs alteration, brickwork repairs or a new lintel, allow longer, and we will tell you this at the survey stage rather than on the day. We take the old door and frame away with us, and we leave the area tidy.

In most cases, no. Replacing an existing door like for like falls under permitted development. The exceptions matter in Cambridge though, since the city has several conservation areas and a lot of listed buildings. If your home is listed, you will need listed building consent for a replacement door, and in conservation areas there can be restrictions on style and material, particularly on the front elevation. If you are unsure, check with Cambridge City Council or ask us. We fit double glazing in Cambridge regularly and can advise on what tends to be acceptable before you commit.

Check three things before price. First, FENSA registration, which means the installation is certified, registered with your local authority and backed by an insurance-backed guarantee. Second, reviews from real local customers, on Google and Checkatrade rather than the company’s own site, and pay attention to what people say about the installation and aftercare rather than the sales visit. Third, the guarantee, where 10 years on both product and installation should be the baseline. Be wary of any firm whose price drops dramatically the moment you hesitate. A quote should be a price, not an opening position.

Yes. uPVC is a poor conductor of heat, which is exactly what you want in a door frame, and the multi-chambered profile traps air to slow heat loss further. Combined with an insulated panel or double glazed unit, a new uPVC door will typically achieve an A rated energy performance. If you are replacing a door from the 1990s or earlier, the difference is noticeable, both in draughts and in how warm the hallway stays. Good installation is part of this. The gap between frame and brickwork must be properly sealed, otherwise the best door in the world will still leak heat.