Published by: Owen Mullock
Composite doors are well and truly one of the best doors you can get on the market. Not only are they affordable, but high-quality composite doors offer superior security, improved thermal efficiency in your home, and a beautiful home aesthetic.
Like with any door, however, problems still arise, especially for older, lower-quality composite doors. We’ve explored all the issues that might be dealing with and how to fix them, all in one place!
Jump to problem:
1. My Composite Door Has Faded or Become Discoloured
The problem: The face of your composite door has started to look dull, washed out, or has changed shade in patches.
The primary cause of colour fading on doors, particularly those with darker finishes, is prolonged exposure to direct sunlight. Over many years, the sun’s ultraviolet (UV) rays can degrade the colour of your door’s surface, causing it to fade.
Harsh cleaning chemicals, such as abrasive cleaners, solvents, or strong detergents, can strip away the door’s protective layer, leading to unwanted discolouration. And most simply, doors will naturally experience some wear and tear over the years. Older doors may appear more faded than others!
Solutions & fixes:
- Gentle cleaning: Try cleaning your door thoroughly with a soft cloth or sponge and a mild, non-abrasive detergent mixed with warm water. Often, a build-up of grime can make the door appear faded.
- Specialist restorers: There are products specifically designed to restore the colour and shine to composite doors that can be bought from most DIY retailers. (Always test on an inconspicuous area first and follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully!)
- Painting: If the fading is severe, and cleaning has not helped the issue, painting your composite door can be an option. Not just any paint will do here, and high-quality, specialist exterior composite door paints are essential! It is important to note, however, that Comp Doors cannot be sprayed due to our use of foiled skins, so hand-painting with the correct specialist product is the way to go.
2. My Composite Door is Draughty
The problem: You can feel a cold breeze coming in around the edges of your door, or you might even hear a whistling sound on windy days.
Draughts around doors often stem from issues with the weather seals, which are typically rubber or foam strips designed to create an airtight barrier around the door. Over time, these seals can become worn, compressed, flattened, perish, or even dislodged, leading to unwanted draughts.
Poor installation and misalignment can also cause large draughts (among other issues). If a door wasn’t fitted perfectly plumb and square, or if it’s not correctly aligned with the frame, gaps can emerge. This also means that the door itself might not be compressing properly against the weather seals.
Solutions & fixes:
- Inspect and replace weather seals: Check around the edges of your door and frame. If any seals are damaged, flattened, or loose, they’ll need replacing. This is usually a straightforward job! While general seals can be found at hardware suppliers, you will usually need a specific gasket tailored to your outerframe size for a perfect fit. We would always recommend going back to your original installer to have the correct gasket sent to you, ensuring your door remains completely weather-tight.
- Adjust hinges: If the door has dropped slightly or isn’t sitting squarely in the frame, adjusting the hinges can often improve the compression against the seals. Composite door hinges are usually adjustable in three dimensions (height, side-to-side, and in-and-out), that we explore further below.
- Adjust locking keeps: The keeps (the metal plates on the frame that the door’s locks engage with) can sometimes be adjusted to pull the door tighter against the frame when locked.
- Check for frame issues: Ensure the door frame itself is secure and hasn’t warped or moved.
3. Water is Leaking Around My Composite Door
The problem:You’re finding puddles of water inside your home near the door, especially after heavy rain.
Water seeping around the bottom of your composite door is usually due to a blocked drainage channel. Most composite door thresholds incorporate small drainage holes designed to direct rainwater outside, but if these become clogged with dirt, leaves, or other debris, water can accumulate and find its way into your home.
Damaged or missing weather seals can also lead to leaking problems. The same goes for poor sealing around the door frame itself. The sealant applied between the frame and the surrounding brickwork may deteriorate over time and create holes for water to track inwards.
Solutions & fixes:
- Clear drainage channels: Clear any drainage holes or slots in the door threshold using a thin piece of wire or a small brush, then pour a little water into the channel to check it flows away properly.
- Inspect and replace seals: Pay particular attention to the seals at the bottom of the door and the threshold seals.
- Reapply external sealant: If you think the sealant around the frame is the issue, carefully remove the old sealant, clean the area thoroughly, and apply a good quality external silicone sealant.
- Check installation: Ensure the door and frame are correctly installed, with a slight slope on the threshold to encourage water to run away from the door. If you’re unsure, it might be worth calling out a professional to advise you on the best course of action.
4. My Composite Door Has Dropped on its Hinges
The problem:The door is difficult to close, scrapes along the threshold or frame, or has an uneven gap around its edges. This is a very common issue that can be easily rectified.
A common reason for a door to drop or become misaligned is the sheer weight of the door itself, especially with larger composite doors, which can gradually pull downwards on the hinges over time.
This can be made worse by loose hinge screws, where the screws securing the hinges to either the door or the frame work their way loose. Additionally, movement in the building’s structure can impact the door’s alignment. Though less frequent with modern, robust hinges, worn-out hinges, particularly on very old or lower-quality installations, can also contribute to the problem at large.
Solutions & fixes:
- Diagnose the drop: Look for uneven gaps around the door. A common sign is a wider gap at the top on the handle side and a tighter gap (or rubbing) at the bottom on the handle side, or vice versa on the hinge side. You might also see scuff marks on the threshold or frame.
- Tighten Hinge screws: First, check if any hinge screws are loose and tighten them. This might be all that’s needed.
- Adjust the hinges: Most composite door hinges (often “flag hinges”) are designed for 3D adjustment:
- Height (vertical): Usually an adjustment screw at the top or bottom of the hinge. You’ll likely need to adjust all hinges similarly to lift the door evenly.
- Lateral (side-to-side): Allows you to move the door closer to or further from the hinge side of the frame.
- Compression (in-and-out): Adjusts how tightly the door seals against the frame.
- How to adjust: You’ll typically need an allen key and/or a screwdriver. It’s often best to slightly loosen the locking screws on the hinge, make small adjustments, and then re-tighten. Adjust one hinge at a time, starting with the top hinge if the door has dropped on the handle side. Make small, incremental adjustments and check the door’s operation frequently. Throughout this process, it is important to note that the air gap should be equal all the way around, ideally sitting between 4-5mm. It can be a bit of trial and error! Always support the weight of the door when making adjustments to avoid stripping threads or damaging the hinges.
When to call a professional: If you’re not comfortable adjusting hinges, or if the adjustments don’t solve the problem, it’s wise to call a specialist.
5. The Lock on My Composite Door is Sticking or Hard to Operate
The problem: Your key is stiff to turn, the handle is hard to lift, or the locking bolts don’t engage smoothly.
Misalignment of your door and frame can be the cause of your door locking issues. This usually occurs when a door has dropped. When a door is not aligned correctly, its locking points, such as bolts, hooks, or rollers, will fail to line up properly with the keeps in the frame.
Another common culprit is a worn cylinder, the part where you insert the key, or a deteriorated internal multipoint locking mechanism. This is more common with euro cylinders and older locks. Dirt and grime can also accumulate within the cylinder, making your lock stiff and harder to open.
Even just a lack of lubrication can stop your lock from functioning properly! Additionally, extreme temperature fluctuations may cause your door or door frame to expand slightly, temporarily affecting alignment and making the lock stiff. Finally, debris such as dirt or grit can accumulate within the lock mechanism, affecting its function.
Solutions & fixes:
- Check alignment first: Make sure your door isn’t dropped, then adjust the hinges if necessary.
- Lubricate (correctly!):
- For euro cylinder locks: Use a specialist graphite powder lubricant or a silicone-based spray designed for locks. Do not use WD-40 or oil-based lubricants in the keyway, as they can attract dust and can gum up the pin, causing more problems down the line.
- Top tip: Lubricating the lock cylinder every 3-6 months will help prolong its life and ease of use. This regular maintenance can also help to relieve any resistance or stickiness that might be present, keeping your locking mechanism smooth.
- Multipoint locking mechanisms (such as Avantis): The moving bolts, hooks, and rollers can benefit from a light spray of silicone-based lubricant. Operate the handle a few times to spread it around the mechanism. If the lock points are mechanically failing and/or not firing correctly in the open position after that, it is time to contact your installer for additional support.
- Clean the lock: Use a vacuum cleaner nozzle to try and remove any debris from the keyway (don’t jam anything in there!)
- Adjust the keeps: If the door is aligned but the locks are stiff, the keeps (where the locks engage with the frame) might need slight adjustment to ensure the locking points enter smoothly. Adjusting the keeps inwards means that the lock points can fire at a slightly earlier point in the closing cycle; this often can be a convenient solution for minor alignment issues.
- Mechanism or cylinder replacement: If lubricating or realigning the hardware doesn’t solve it, the lock may need replacing. Replacing a euro cylinder is usually a straightforward DIY job. Replacing the whole mechanism is a little more difficult and might be best left to a professional.
6. My Composite Door Isn’t Closing or Latching Properly
The problem: The door catches on the frame before it’s fully closed, or the latch bolt doesn’t engage with the keep, meaning the door springs open.
If your composite door isn’t closing or latching properly it could be that the hinges have dropped, causing the door to sag and catch on the frame. It could even be as simple as misaligned keeps, preventing the locks from engaging.
Warping can also lead to problems. A door that’s no longer flush with the frame may struggle to close fully. A less serious issue can arise momentarily with the multipoint locking system if the handle isn’t returned to its neutral position after locking. This can prevent the latch from working correctly the next time you try to close the door! Comp Doors come with an auto fire lock as a standard. This removes the need to lift the handle up; instead equal compression is applied from top to bottom each time the door is shut. This consistent seal helps maintain the door’s shape and ensure smooth operation for years to come.
Solutions & fixes:
- Hinges: Check for a dropped door first and adjust if needed.
- Keep alignment: With the door open, operate the handle to extend the latch and locking points. Then, slowly close the door and watch where the latches and bolts meet the frame. If they’re not flush with the keeps, they may need to be realigned. This usually involves loosening screws, making small adjustments, and re-tightening.
- Lubrication: Ensure the latch mechanism and keeps are clean and lubricated.
- Check for obstructions: Make sure no screws have become loose or debris is blocking the door.
7. My Composite Door Appears Warped, Bowed, or Swollen
The problem: The door itself is no longer flat. It might curve inwards or outwards, or seem thicker in places, making it difficult to close or seal properly.
If your composite door appears warped, bowed, or swollen, this may actually be due to extreme temperature changes, and even movements in your home’s structure! When one side of the door is exposed to direct, intense sunlight (particularly in the case of dark-coloured doors facing south) while the other side remains cool, this can create warping or bowing over time.
Moisture penetration is another potential issue. If the seals around the door have failed, water can seep into the core, leading to swelling (though this is very uncommon in composite doors). In some cases, the problem may come from a poor-quality core, apparent in cheaper, lower quality composite doors.
Solutions & fixes:
- Difficult to truly fix: Once a composite door has significantly warped or bowed, it’s very difficult to correct the door slab itself. The internal structure has usually been compromised, and a new door may be on the cards. If you are experiencing this, you can diagnose the issue by checking the gap between the door slab and the frame from the inside. This gap should be even all the way around; if the door has dropped, the gap will tighten at the bottom of the locking side and appear much larger at the head of the frame.
- Adjustments: Sometimes, careful adjustment of the hinges and locking keeps can help improve sealing and operation, even if the warp is still there. This involves trying to pull the door into the frame as much as possible where it’s bowed. If you decide to give this a go, you should aim for an even gap all the way around the door; specific hing adjustment details should be available from your manufacturer or the retailer that fitted the door.
- Prevention is key: This is where the initial quality of the door is paramount. Comp Door, for example, utilises advanced core materials, revolutionary CoolSkin technology and a market-leading TriSeal frame for improved weatherproofing and moisture protection. Furthermore, our auto fire lock comes as standard, removing the need to lift the handle which ensures equal compression is applied from top to bottom every time the door is shut, helping to maintain long-term stability. Choosing a door with a proven track record for performance is the best preventative measure.
When replacement is likely: If warping is severe and begins to affect security and weatherproofing significantly, it’s probably time to replace your door.
8. The Skin of My Composite Door is Cracked
The problem: You’ve noticed fine hairline cracks or more significant splits in the skin of your door.
Cracks in the skin of a composite door can result from several underlying issues. The most straightforward cause is impact damage. A sharp knock from an object can crack your door face, especially if it was done with force.
Over time, extreme temperatures can also contribute. Years of repeated expansion and contraction in extreme temperatures may eventually wear down the outer skin. In some cases, the issue may point to a manufacturing fault, but cracks are usually found in lower quality composite doors.
Lastly, if your door isn’t properly supported by its frame, or has a less-than-premium, low-density core, repeated use can place stress on the skin and lead to external damage.
Solutions & fixes:
- Minor cosmetic cracks: While small, superficial cracks can sometimes be addressed using specialist GRP/fibreglass repair kits, it is important to note that repairing a crack on a door skin is incredibly tricky. Achieving a seamless finish that matches the original texture is difficult, even with a specialist kit. If you do decide to attempt a DIY fix, ensure you always follow kit instructions to a tee.
- Structural cracks: If a crack is deep, wide, or goes through the depth of the GRP skin, it could compromise the door’s weather resistance and structural integrity. Repairs are less likely to be successful, and it’s probably time to invest in a new composite door.
Overview: When is it time for a new composite door?
While many minor adjustments and fixes can be undertaken with a little DIY, there are times when it’s best to call in an expert door installer to advise on the next steps:
- If you’re unsure or uncomfortable attempting any of the adjustments, especially with hinges or locks.
- For complex issues like a failing multipoint lock mechanism.
- If the door is severely warped or damaged.
- If adjustments don’t resolve the problem.
- If your door is still under warranty (DIY repairs could potentially void it. Always check your warranty terms).
With the right maintenance and fault damage prevention, a composite door can last well over 30 years. Investing in higher quality composite doors, like a Comp Door composite door, can save you a lot of hassle and money in the long run!
Don’t think you can fix your door problems? Get in touch with our experts today, and we’ll more than happily talk you through some of the best options for your situation!
