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Choosing the Right Front Door: Composite vs UPVC

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 14:14:04 GMT

Why Your Front Door Matters

Your front door is more than just an entryway – it’s the first impression guests have of your home, and the first line of defence against the elements and intruders. A good-quality door should combine style, security, and energy efficiency, all while standing the test of time.

For homeowners in Walsall and across the West Midlands, the two most popular choices are composite doors and UPVC doors . But which is right for you?

What Is a Composite Door?

Composite doors are made from a mix of materials, typically including uPVC, timber, foam, and glass-reinforced plastic. This layered design makes them incredibly strong, durable, and resistant to weather damage.

Key Features of Composite Doors

Extremely tough and secure
Excellent insulation properties
Wide range of colours and finishes
Low maintenance (just a wipe clean)
Long lifespan, often lasting 30+ years

Composite doors are ideal if you’re looking for a premium, stylish option that offers maximum strength and energy efficiency.

What Is a UPVC Door?

UPVC doors are made entirely from unplasticised polyvinyl chloride – the same material used for UPVC windows . They’re lightweight, durable, and resistant to rotting, warping, and fading, making them a popular and affordable choice for many households.

Key Features of UPVC Doors

Security: Composite doors offer excellent security thanks to their multi-layered construction and advanced locking systems. UPVC doors also provide good security, although they are generally lighter.

Energy efficiency: Composite doors typically offer outstanding insulation due to their thick insulated core. UPVC doors also provide good thermal performance and can help reduce heat loss.

Style and finishes: Composite doors are available in a wide range of colours and finishes, including realistic wood-effect designs. UPVC doors also come in various colours and modern finishes to suit different styles of property.

Maintenance: Both composite and UPVC doors are very low maintenance and usually only require occasional cleaning.

Cost: Composite doors tend to have a higher upfront cost, while UPVC doors are generally the more affordable option.

Composite vs UPVC: The Key Differences

Which Door Is Right for You?

Choose Composite if you want the best in style, strength, and insulation, and you’re happy to invest in a premium option.

Choose UPVC if you’re looking for a cost-effective, reliable, and stylish upgrade that delivers excellent value for money.

Why Homeowners in Walsall Trust S Dennis

At S Dennis Windows & Doors Installers of UPVC LTD , we’ve been helping local homeowners find their perfect doors for over 20 years. Whether you’re after the durability of UPVC or the luxury of composite, we’ll guide you through the options, provide expert installation, and back everything with Certass registration and QA National Warranties.

Our customer reviews speak for themselves – we’re known across Walsall for excellent craftsmanship, friendly service, and results that last.

Conclusion: Find Your Perfect Front Door

Your front door sets the tone for your entire home, so it’s worth making the right choice. Whether you decide on the modern reliability of UPVC or the premium performance of a composite door, you’ll enjoy greater security, energy savings, and kerb appeal.

Ready to upgrade your entrance? Call S Dennis Windows & Doors Installers today on 01922 445848 or request a free, no-obligation quote .

How to Get Rid of Condensation Between Double Glazing

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:37:49 GMT

Condensation between the panes of a double glazed window can make the glass look permanently misted or cloudy. Unlike condensation that forms on the inside surface of a window, moisture between the panes usually indicates that the sealed glass unit has failed .

Unfortunately, wiping the glass, opening a window or using a dehumidifier won't remove moisture that is already trapped inside a sealed unit. Depending on the age and condition of the window, the most effective solution is usually to replace the affected glass unit.

Why Does Condensation Form Between Double Glazing?

Double glazing consists of two panes of glass separated by a sealed cavity. This space helps reduce heat transfer through the window and improves its insulating performance.

If the seal around the glass unit deteriorates, moisture can enter this cavity. When temperatures change, that moisture can condense against the glass and create the familiar misted appearance.

Common reasons include:

Failed window seals – Seals can deteriorate as windows age.
Older glazing units – The likelihood of seal failure generally increases over time.
Damage to the glass unit – Movement, impact or deterioration around the edge of the unit can compromise the seal.
Repeated temperature changes – Expansion and contraction over many years can place stress on glazing components.

Once moisture is visible between the panes, it normally means the sealed unit is no longer performing as originally intended.

Can You Remove Condensation From Between Double Glazing?

There are several approaches sometimes suggested for misted windows, but they don't all solve the underlying problem.

When Should You Replace the Whole Window?

Replacing the sealed glass unit can make sense when the surrounding window is otherwise performing well.

However, if your windows are older and you're experiencing several problems at once, replacing the complete window may provide better long-term value.

You might consider new uPVC windows if:

Several sealed units have started to fail
The frames are damaged or distorted
Windows are noticeably draughty
Handles, hinges or locking mechanisms regularly cause problems
Windows are difficult to open or close
You want to improve the appearance or energy efficiency of your home

If you're unsure whether replacing the glass or the complete window makes more sense, you can also read our guide to repairing double glazed windows .

What About Condensation on the Inside of Windows?

It's important to distinguish condensation between the panes from condensation appearing on the internal surface of the glass.

Interior condensation is normally caused by warm, humid air inside the property meeting a colder surface.

In these circumstances, improving ventilation can help. Options include:

Using extractor fans in kitchens and bathrooms
Opening windows periodically to improve airflow
Keeping trickle vents open where fitted
Using a dehumidifier in particularly humid rooms
Avoiding drying large amounts of washing indoors without ventilation

These measures can help reduce normal household condensation, but they won't repair a failed double glazed unit.

How Can You Prevent Problems With Double Glazing?

You can't prevent every glazing unit from eventually failing, but looking after your windows can help identify problems early.

Keep frames and drainage channels clean, check seals for obvious deterioration and make sure opening sections close correctly against the frame.

If you begin noticing persistent misting between the panes , it is worth investigating rather than assuming it's normal condensation.

Does Condensation Between Double Glazing Mean You Need New Windows?

Not always. If only the sealed glass unit has failed and the frame remains in good condition, replacing the glass may be enough. If the windows are older, inefficient or developing several faults at once, replacing them entirely may be a better option.

S Dennis supplies and installs modern uPVC windows for homeowners across Walsall and the surrounding areas. If you're considering replacing older or misted windows, contact S Dennis to discuss the options available for your home.

Can You Repair Double Glazed Windows?

Thu, 24 Sep 2026 12:26:11 GMT

Double glazing is designed to provide years of reliable performance, helping to keep your home warmer, quieter and more secure. Like any part of a property, however, windows can develop problems as they get older.

Misted glass, draughts, damaged handles and cracked panes don't always mean that the entire window needs replacing. In some cases, individual components can be repaired or replaced while the existing frame remains in place.

So, can double glazed windows be repaired? The answer depends largely on what has gone wrong and the overall condition of the window.

What Problems Can Develop With Double Glazing?

Modern uPVC windows are relatively low maintenance, but several issues can develop during their lifetime.

Condensation Between the Glass

Condensation on the inside or outside surface of a window isn't necessarily a problem with the window itself.

However, moisture or misting between the two panes of glass usually indicates that the sealed unit has failed.

Double glazed units are manufactured as sealed systems. Once that seal breaks down, moisture can enter the space between the panes and the window may gradually lose some of its insulating performance.

Cracked or Broken Glass

Impact damage, accidental knocks and extreme changes in temperature can occasionally result in cracked glass.

The good news is that damage to the glass does not automatically mean that the complete window frame needs replacing.

Where the frame remains in good condition, a glazing professional may be able to replace the sealed glass unit instead.

Draughts Around the Window

If you can feel cold air coming through or around your windows, there are several possible causes.

The seals around the opening section may have deteriorated, the hinges may no longer be pulling the window tightly against the frame, or parts of the mechanism may need adjusting.

Minor problems of this type can often be addressed without replacing the entire window.

Broken Handles, Hinges or Locks

Window furniture and moving components naturally experience wear over time.

A stiff handle, loose hinge or faulty locking mechanism can often be repaired or replaced independently of the frame and glazing.

It is worth addressing these problems promptly, particularly when they affect how securely the window closes.

Damaged or Warped Frames

The condition of the frame itself is one of the biggest factors in deciding whether repairing a window is worthwhile.

Small adjustment issues may be repairable, but significant distortion, cracking or deterioration can make replacement the more practical long-term option.

Can Misted Double Glazing Be Repaired?

If condensation has appeared inside the sealed double glazed unit , the problem is normally the unit rather than condensation simply forming on the surface.

There are services that attempt to remove moisture from failed glazing, but clearing the visible condensation doesn't necessarily restore the original sealed unit.

For a longer-lasting solution, the sealed glass unit can often be replaced while retaining the existing frame, providing the frame itself is still in good condition.

If the windows are considerably older and several units are beginning to fail, it may be worth comparing the cost of repeated repairs against installing new, energy-efficient windows.

Do You Need to Replace the Whole Window?

Not necessarily.

A double glazed window consists of several separate components, including:

The outer frame
The sealed glass unit
Opening sashes
Handles
Hinges
Locks
Weather seals and gaskets

A fault with one component doesn't automatically mean everything needs replacing.

For example, a damaged handle can normally be changed without touching the glazing. Likewise, a failed glass unit may potentially be replaced while keeping the existing frame.

Full replacement becomes more appropriate when problems affect several parts of the window or the frame itself has reached the end of its useful life.

Looking to Replace Your Double Glazing?

Some double glazing problems can be repaired without replacing the complete window. The important thing is identifying whether the fault is limited to the glass, seals or hardware, or whether the window as a whole is beginning to deteriorate.

If your existing windows have become draughty, inefficient or difficult to operate, S Dennis offers modern uPVC windows for homes across Walsall and surrounding areas , with a range of styles available to suit different properties.

Explore our uPVC windows , view our locations , or contact S Dennis to discuss replacement windows for your home.