Blog>Expert Advice>Buying guide: Helping you to choose your composite stable door
Last updated: 9 September 2024
Buying guide: Helping you to choose your composite stable door
Our buying guide outlines everything you need to know to help make the best choice of composite stable door for your home.
Composite stable doors are both charming and practical, adding a unique quality to any style of property. But with so many options available, it can be hard to narrow down your choices.
In this expert buying guide, we highlight what to look for when buying a composite stable door, helping you to make your selection with confidence.
What is a composite stable door?
Composite doors are made of several different materials fused together.
At their core is a solid timber section that offers strength and insulation. Surrounding this are additional layers including uPVC, GRP (fibreglass), and high-density foam. It's this combination that gives composite doors their durability and robustness.
A stable door (sometimes called a 'half and half door', or a 'Dutch door', in the United States) is a style of door divided into two halves - the upper and lower leafs.
The top half can be opened independently from the bottom half. Alternatively, both segments can be opened together as a single door.
Why choose a composite stable door?
The standout feature of a stable door is its split design, creating an upper and lower section that can either be opened together or separately.
This unique feature offers the versatility to ventilate your home with the top section open while keeping pets and children securely inside with the bottom section closed.
There are several other reasons why homeowners choose composite stable doors, including:
Aesthetics: Composite stable doors add character and style to both traditional and contemporary homes
Practicality: A practical choice for a back door, especially for dog owners
Style: Composite stable doors are available in various designs and colours, making it easy to complement the look of your home
Customisation: It's also possible to customise your composite stable door with door furniture and the addition of glazing
Privacy: Whether you have both sections closed, or just the bottom half, a stable door offers a good amount of privacy
Durability: Composite doors have a multi-layer construction making them resistant to warping, cracking, or fading - they can last up to 35 years or more
Low maintenance: Composite doors don't need to be painted or varnished like timber doors do and only need a quick wipe-down every now and again and a yearly oil of the hinges
Energy efficiency: Again, their unique construction makes composite doors one of the most energy-efficient types you can buy, which can help lower your energy bills
Security: Composite doors are the top choice of material for a highly secure front door; the stable door design is no different
How to choose the best composite stable doors
By choosing the right composite stable door for your home, you'll be making a solid investment that you'll benefit from for years.
Here's what to look for when buying a composite stable door.
Quality and security
A stable door is not simply a door sawn in half. Top-quality composite stable doors will have a rigid subframe for each composite door leaf - upper and lower - providing a solid, stable product. Check what the core and external layers of the composite door are made from and the thickness of the door so you can be sure of its quality.
Look for a multipoint locking system that secures the top and bottom halves of the door to the frame and to each other.
A dual-locking system allows the upper and lower leafs to be locked independently from each other or as a single unit - both from the inside or outside. Check these locking mechanisms are high-security varieties.
Finally, look for 'Secured by Design' (SBD). This means the door is designed and manufactured to meet rigorous standards of enhanced security performance as defined by the police.
A good quality composite door should come with a guarantee - 10 years is fairly standard, but check the small print before you buy.
Contact or pay a trade through Checkatrade and you’re covered by our 12-month guarantee of up to £1,000*
Energy efficiency and thermal performance
Composite doors are one of the most energy-efficient types of doors you can get. However, ratings can vary depending on the manufacturer.
By law, all replacement windows and doors in the UK must have a U-value of 1.4W/m²K or less. Check your doors have been tested for their energy efficiency and thermal performance - a better-insulated door could help to save money on your energy bills!
If you're keen on a composite stable door with glazing, consider triple-glazed 'A-rated' glass. S-Glaze technology is also worth looking out for - for security and thermal performance.
Colour and style
You might be surprised to learn there are hundreds of different options for the look of your composite stable door, making it possible to suit a variety of property styles.
Firstly, composite stable doors are available in a wide selection of colours. It's even possible to have a different colour on the outside and white on the inside to match your internal decor.
You'll then find there's an even wider choice of styles - including whether you want to include glazing.
If privacy is a primary concern, take a look at a solid door design or something with a small glazed aperture, e.g. a small diamond-shaped glazed panel in the top section.
However, to encourage more natural light inside, consider a design with a larger glazed panel - either a Georgian or more contemporary style.
Cost and installation
Of course, whatever style of door you're considering, cost is an important consideration, so how much can you expect to pay for a composite stable door?
Average prices typically range from £1,000 to £1,300for a composite stable door without glazing
For a composite stable door with glazing, you're looking at around £1,200 to £1,600
However, this can vary depending on the quality of the product, its design, security features, and energy efficiency.
You will also need to budget for the cost of door installation. This normally sits between £500 and £1,000.
Request a quote for your composite stable door installation
We always recommend getting a selection of quotes from composite door suppliers (and installers, if this is separate) to ensure you receive a fair and competitive price.
Compare quotes side-by-side and weigh up the features that are important to you against your available budget.
Always check out customer reviews too, and ask to see previous examples of an installer's work.
Using a professional directory, such as Checkatrade, you can easily compare several composite door specialists that we've checked and approved in one handy place.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
What are the most popular composite stable doors?
When buying a composite stable door, selecting a quality, reputable brand is paramount. This helps to ensure you receive a solid, secure, and long-lasting product that won't compromise the safety of your home.
Some of the most popular brands offering composite stable doors include:
Apeer - known for style and exceptional craftsmanship
Comp Door - known for great thermal efficiency and security
Endurance - known for sustainably, safety, and energy efficiency
GRP Composite Doors - a wide selection of styles at affordable prices
Rockdoor - a best-selling brand with innovative S-Glaze technology
Solidor - a brand known for excellent security
Virtuoso - precision engineering and unrivalled quality
On Checkatrade, you'll only find trades who meet our high standards and pass up to 12 checks.
Have you thought about composite doors for the rest of your property?
If you're considering a composite stable door leading to your garden, why not look at a new composite door for the front of your home? A smart exterior can add to the value of your home - new external doors could be a great investment!
Buying guide: Helping you to choose your composite doors
Our composite doors buying guide gives you all the information you need to help make the right choice for your home.
Key takeaways
Composite stable doors offer the perfect blend of traditional style with modern functionality and versatility
Design, quality, energy efficiency, thermal performance, and security are some of the top considerations to make when choosing a composite stable door
Always hire an experienced installer to fit your composite door
Composite stable doors with glazing typically cost between £1,200 and £1,600with £750 for average installation costs
Find an expert in composite stable doors near me
All Checkatrade tradespeople must pass up to 12 checks and meet our high standards, giving you complete confidence in your choice of hire.
Plus, when you book your composite stable door installer with us, we'll guarantee their work up to £1,000. Guaranteed for 12 months – Eligibility and T&Cs apply.
Find trusted and approved suppliers and installers through Checkatrade.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job
FAQs
Are composite doors secure?
Yes, composite stable doors are secure. Top-quality brands will have a rigid subframe for each composite door leaf - upper and lower - providing a solid, stable product. A multipoint locking system makes stable doors just as secure as other styles of composite doors.
Can you customise the colour of a composite stable door?
Absolutely - composite stable doors come in a wide range of colours making it easy to suit your home's style. It's even possible to choose a different colour on the outside and the inside or to that of the frame.
How long do composite stable doors last?
If professionally installed and well maintained, a composite stable door can last 30-35 years or more.
Do composite stable doors need lots of maintenance?
Composite stable doors are low-maintenance, needing just a wipe over with a cloth to keep clean and a yearly oil of the hinges.
Can composite stable doors be installed on any property?
Composite stable doors come in a variety of styles and designs, making them a great choice for both traditional and contemporary homes.
Do you need to replace the door frame when installing a composite stable door?
While it's not always necessary to replace your door frame when installing a new composite stable door, it is recommended for the best fit and security.
See the tradespeople we've checked and recommend for your job