Why does my composite door creak?

Living in an age where energy-conscious home improvements are a prime concern for many, composite doors continue to overtake other door materials in virtually all aspects of their performance. As one of the most durable front door solutions on the market, there is little you can fault with these impressive entrances. That said, we thought we’d take the time to answer a question about composite doors that occasionally crops up.

Duck Egg Blue composite door.

Why does my new composite door creak?

Typically an issue for south-facing and west-facing front doors being heated up by the morning and midday sun, the combination of materials used to create a composite door can sometimes cause the door to creak due to the different materials expanding and contracting at different rates. It can also depend on the composite’s colour, as the darker the door colour the greater absorption of sunlight. But thanks to its reinforced plastic skin and robust core, usually this is nothing to worry about. Soon enough you will have tuned the creaking noise out and can sit back and relax in comfort.

Check your composite door hinges

A creaky composite door could also be the result of the hinges rubbing against one another. Remedy the issue by lubricating the hinges with a light engineering oil or silicone spray, rather than WD-40 or similar. This is because WD-40 tends to dry out quickly, requiring further lubrication before long.

Creaky or squeaky composite doors can also be caused by the hinges not being properly aligned. In most cases, tightening loose hinges will fix this. However, the hinges may need replacing, and in very rare cases it could indicate a manufacturing fault with the door.

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How to look after your composite door

Composite doors are one of the easiest, low-maintenance doors available. However, like everything, they still require a little TLC every now and then. Follow these essential pointers for the best way to clean your composite door and keep it looking as good as new for longer:

1. Every month or so, simply wipe over the frame and the panels with warm soapy water and a soft cloth – avoiding abrasive cloths and cleaners at all costs.
2. Clean the glass with warm soapy water and a reputable glass cleaner.
3. Delicately wipe over non-stainless steel handles, etc with a mild soapy solution and polish every 6 months.
4. Clean and polish stainless steel hardware every month with a general household stainless steel cleaning product.
5. Lubricate door hinges and hardware every 6 months with a light engineering oil e.g. 3-in-One.
6. Reduce friction and wear on the locking mechanism by using a Teflon-based lubricant. Avoid using oil or graphite powder as these can cause irreversible damage to the lock.
7. Remove stubborn stains with a specialist uPVC cleaner, paying close attention to the instructions.
8. Make sure weather seals are in place. If they’ve been dislodged, carefully slide them back into their grooves.

Grey composite front door.

High-performance composite doors in the Midlands

To celebrate over 45 years in businesses, for a limited time you can access up to 35% off windows, doors, high security doors & conservatories with a Wolverhampton Glass installation. Start the satisfying journey towards a safe, secure and stylish home today by designing your new composite door with our innovative online door designer. Alternatively, don’t hesitate to obtain a free quote or contact us to find out more about our fantastic range of renovation products.