Aluminium vs Composite Doors – Which Should You Choose? (North East Guide)

A complete comparison for homeowners in Washington, Sunderland, Newcastle, Durham & across the North East.

Introduction: Choosing the Right Door for Your Home

When upgrading your home’s entrance, two choices dominate the North East market: aluminium doors and composite doors.

Both offer style, security, and performance and at Washington Aluminium Services, we supply and install both options, custom-made for your home.

But which door is the best choice for your property?This guide breaks down everything you need to know: durability, security, cost, colours, maintenance, energy efficiency, and real-world differences.

What Is an Aluminium Door?

Aluminium doors are made from strong, lightweight metal frames with thermal breaks to keep the cold out. They’re known for their:

• Modern, slimline appearance

• Long lifespan

• Exceptional strength

• Huge colour choice

• Suitability for large entrances

They’re especially popular for modern builds, extensions, and premium home upgrades.

What Is a Composite Door?

Composite doors are made from multiple materials — usually a steel-reinforced frame, timber, foam core, and GRP (glass-reinforced plastic) outer skin.

They’re designed to look like traditional doors while offering strong insulation and security.

Composite doors are extremely popular across the North East for front doors, especially in Sunderland, Gateshead and Durham.

Aluminium vs Composite Doors – Side-by-Side Comparison

Feature	Aluminium Doors	Composite Doors
Appearance	Modern, sleek, slim frames	Traditional or wood-grain look
Strength	Extremely strong metal	Very strong, reinforced
Thermal Efficiency	Excellent with thermal breaks	Excellent due to foam core
Security	Outstanding, PAS24 options	Outstanding, PAS24 options
Colour Choice	Hundreds of RAL colours, dual colours	Limited but improving
Maintenance	Very low	Low
Lifespan	30–40+ years	20–30 years
Best for	Modern homes, extensions, patio entrances	Front doors, traditional homes

Appearance: Modern vs Traditional

Aluminium Doors

If you want a contemporary, luxury look, aluminium wins every time. Slim frames, sharp lines, and ultra-clean styling.

Ideal for: Modern extensions, New builds, Homes with aluminium windows, Customers choosing anthracite grey or black

Composite Doors

If you prefer a traditional or cottage style, composite is the better choice.Available in wood-grain finishes and classic styles.

Best for: Traditional homes, Semi-detached & terraced houses, Properties needing a classic look

Strength & Security

Both material types offer excellent security, but aluminium edges ahead in sheer strength.

Aluminium Doors:

• Stronger under impact

• Natural rigidity due to metal frame

• Often paired with laminated security glass

Composite Doors:

• Reinforced internal frame

• Heavy and robust

• Very secure with multi-point locking

Both options can meet PAS24 and Secured By Design requirements, something many homeowners now look for.

Energy Efficiency

Both aluminium and composite doors are highly energy-efficient.

Composite Doors:

• Foam core provides outstanding insulation

• Often slightly warmer in U-value ratings

Aluminium Doors:

• Thermal break technology has improved massively

• Double or triple glazing also boosts performance

For most homes, either option will keep heating costs down.

Colour Options

Aluminium Doors offer:

• Hundreds of RAL colours

• Dual-colour (different inside & outside)

• Matt, gloss, textured, metallic finishes

• 
  

Composite Doors offer:

• A smaller but good variety of colours

• Popular wood-grain timber effects

• Classic finishes (black, red, blue, green, anthracite)

• If colour flexibility matters — aluminium is the clear winner.

Maintenance & Lifespan

Both doors require minimal upkeep, but aluminium wins in the long run.

Composite:

• Wipe clean

• 20–30 year lifespan

• Can fade slightly over time

Aluminium:

• Wipe clean

• No swelling, rotting, or warping

• 30–40+ year lifespan

• Colour stays sharp

Aluminium is the most long-term investment.

Cost Comparison

Composite Doors Prices (North East):

£1,000 – £1,800 fitted(depends on style, glazing, hardware)

Aluminium Doors Prices (North East):

£1,600 – £3,000+ fitted (depends on size, colour, glazing, brand)

Aluminium is more expensive — but it’s also more durable, safer and premium.

Which Should You Choose?

Here’s the simple version:

Choose Aluminium if you want:

Modern styling, Slimline frames, Huge colour choice, Long lifespan, Perfect match for aluminium windows

Choose Composite if you want:

A traditional look, Wood-grain effects, High thermal performance, Lower cost. A classic front door style

Washington Aluminium Services Supplies & Installs Both

Whether you want the sleek look of aluminium or the traditional feel of composite, we manufacture and install made-to-measure doors across:

📍 Washington📍 Sunderland📍 Newcastle📍 Durham📍 Gateshead📍 North East

Every door is custom-built, professionally installed, and designed to last.

Ready to upgrade your home?

Washington Aluminium Services Ltd

• Aluminium Doors

• Composite Doors

• Windows

• Bi-Folding Doors

• Commercial Glazing

📞 07787 762 575🌐 washingtonasltd.co.uk