Do Composite Doors Fade? The Truth About Colour, UV Rays, and Finishes

We have all seen them while driving around Hampshire: a front door that was once a bold Poppy Red but is now a chalky, patchy pink.

If you are about to invest in a new front door, this is naturally your biggest fear. You want to know if a Composite Door will suffer the same fate as those old timber or cheap uPVC doors.

The short answer is: Quality matters. Not all composite doors are created equal. Here is how our partner, Comp Door, uses advanced technology to solve this problem.

1. Not All Composite Doors Are Equal

One of the biggest misconceptions in the industry is that “Composite” is a single material. It isn’t. It is a category of door that ranges from budget DIY-store options to premium engineered products.

Budget Doors (The Risk): Cheaper composite doors often use a standard painted gel coat on top of a thin GRP skin. Over time, UV rays from the sun break down the chemical bonds in this surface paint, causing the “chalking” effect where the colour rubs off on your finger.

Premium Doors (KJM Standard): At KJM, our main supplier is Comp Door. We choose them because they use a solid timber core wrapped in a revolutionary, high-performance skin designed specifically to fight the sun.

2. The Comp Door Difference: CoolSkin Technology

CoolSkin composite doors are a newer and more developed addition to the composite door market. Unlike standard GRP doors that absorb heat, CoolSkin doors are engineered to reflect it.

Inside a Comp Door: Solid Albasia Timber Core protected by the CoolSkin thermal barrier.

How CoolSkin Stops Fading & Warping

CoolSkin technology features a solar deflective layer. This is innovative engineering that helps the door stay cool, even in direct sunlight. This is particularly beneficial if your door is exposed to intense sunlight for prolonged periods.

• Prevents Discolouration: The protective layer stops the door skin from wearing, cracking, or fading, helping it look its best for longer.
• Heat Reflective Properties: By reflecting heat rather than absorbing it, the door surface doesn’t become too hot to touch (a common complaint with older black composite doors).
• Consistent Temperature: This helps regulate the temperature inside your home, contributing to energy efficiency.

At the Heart: The Solid Timber Core

Beneath the CoolSkin lies the real strength of the door: a premium 48mm cross-laminated Albasia Falcata timber core. This solid core offers maximum security and thermal efficiency.

Crucially, this timber core is wrapped in the CoolSkin technology. This combination is engineered to withstand extreme temperature changes and maintain optimum impact performance.

Weatherproofing: TriSeal & InvisiEdge

Fading isn’t the only enemy; moisture is too. Comp Doors feature two industry-leading technologies:

1. TriSeal Frame: An industry-first frame offering better weatherproofing and reducing the chance of drafts for a cosy, safe home.
2. InvisiEdge System: A technically advanced system giving a seamless colour edge to the door faces. This maintains perfect aesthetics whilst ensuring up to 100% moisture resistance, stopping water penetration that could rot the core.

3. The Elephant in the Room: Thermal Movement

While CoolSkin technology has largely solved the fading issue, thermal movement (warping) remains a risk for any door facing south.

4. Maintenance: Fading vs. Dulling

Even with CoolSkin, we often get calls from customers saying their door has faded, only to find it is actually just dirty.

Atmospheric dust, car fumes, and salt create a microscopic layer of grime that kills the gloss. Fortunately, CoolSkin doors require minimal maintenance.

How to maintain the colour:

• DO: Wash the door twice a year with warm soapy water and a soft cloth.
• DON’T: Use abrasive cleaners (Cif, bleach), pressure washers, or wire wool. These destroy the protective layer.

Check out our full guide: 5 Ways to Clean and Maintain Your Composite Door.

5. Frequently Asked Questions