Composite doors that bow and warp are a constant headache for installers, so how do we overcome the problem? Kurt Greatrex, Dekko Window Systems Sales Director, discusses the next market-leading product that could be the solution…

Offering strength and durability, thermal efficiency and noise reduction, composite doors have become a popular choice for homeowners.

Add to that the fact that they’re affordable and require very little maintenance, and it’s easy to see why so many are choosing composite for their home improvement upgrades.

But despite the benefits, composite doors do unfortunately have a reputation for warping.

It’s a common problem that I’m sure all installers have had to contend with, and many often have to give advice to homeowners on how to prevent it, such as keeping the door in the locked position so that the frame keeps the door in shape.

The downside, though, is that warping is an expensive problem to repair, could often lead to needing to replace the door entirely, and can therefore deter homeowners from buying them altogether.

Why do composite doors warp?

Essentially, composite doors can bow or warp if they are put under too much thermal stress, which usually happens when the temperature inside the home is dramatically different to the temperature outside.

For example, if the sun is shining directly onto the outside of the door, it could cause the door to be significantly warmer compared to the inside. Alternatively, if there’s a radiator installed near the door, the inside would be very warm compared to the outside.

Whichever way around, a difference in temperature means that the door is trying to do two things at the same time – expand because it’s warm, and contract because it’s cold. And it’s these two stresses happening simultaneously that if not managed properly, can cause the door to warp.

So how do we overcome the problem?

Installers will know that a common way to avoid composite warping is by simply remembering to close the door properly.

For maximum support, homeowners are often advised to ‘throw the handle’ when the door is fully closed, ensuring that the top and bottom hooks are fully engaged.

If this isn’t done, the door will be resting solely on the latch, which has the potential to result in long-term problems such as warping.

While this method has been proven to work, a more sure fire way of preventing warping is by simply designing the door differently in the first place.

It’s why Dekko has invested in the Decalu 88 entrance door, a contemporary, 88mm thermally efficient system.

New to our Räum range of luxury aluminium products, Decalu 88’s most impressive feature is its use of special ABS inserts, which adapt to temperature change and allow the internal and external faces to expand and contract independently of one another, limiting bowing and warping, and removing limitations on the door design including the specification of dark colours.

Even when the door is subjected to temperatures as high as 80ºC, bowing is limited to just 2.5mm, while at the other end of the scale, the temperature can drop to as low as -30ºC and Decalu’s design means that it will not deflect more than 3.5mm.

The door also features a unique fingerprint control option, and is Part L compliant, thanks to energy-efficient U-Values as low as 1.3 with double glazing and 1.0 with triple glazing.

The Decalu 88 entrance door has been the perfect addition to the range, offering both a premium aesthetic and a unique expanding and contracting feature unrivalled by other similar products.

At Dekko, supporting our installer customers has always been paramount, so by offering them the Decalu 88 entrance door, we’re giving them a truly unique and market-leading product to sell to their customers, helping them get ahead of the competition.

If installers can provide homeowners with a door that won’t warp or bow, regardless of the weather or the colour of the door, they’re already a step ahead of the market.

Dekko have a strong and long-standing relationship with Deceuninck, so to now be benefitting from Decalu, their market-leading aluminium range, is brilliant.

The Decalu 88 entrance door has been a very worthwhile investment for Räum and Dekko as a whole, and we very much look forward to seeing our installer customers benefit from this market-leading product.

For more information, visit www.dekkowindows.com