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Do Composite Doors Fade? The Truth About Colour, UV Rays, and Finishes
Do Composite Doors Fade? The Truth About Colour, UV Rays, and Finishes
You’ve just found the perfect, bold door colour—an Anthracite Grey or a deep Racing Green. Your biggest fear? That in five years, it will be a washed-out, chalky version of its former self.
Here’s the good news: No, high-quality composite doors are engineered not to fade, peel, or crack in the way that painted timber or old uPVC doors do.
The secret lies in the advanced colouring and finishing processes, which are all designed for maximum durability and UV resistance. Here are the main methods manufacturers use to create those stunning, lasting finishes.
The Science: How Composite Door Colours Are Made to Last
Unlike a simple coat of paint, composite doors get their colour from highly durable, integrated processes. The method often depends on the type of finish (solid colour vs. woodgrain).
1. Through-Colour (Pigmentation)
This is the most common method for solid, standard colours like black, blue, green, red, and white. The colour pigment is integrated directly into the Glass Reinforced Plastic (GRP) or uPVC material of the outer skin during production. This means the colour runs deep through the material, which is highly resistant to fading and makes minor chips or scratches far less noticeable.
2. Skin/Foil Wrapping
This method is key to achieving realistic, textured wood-effect finishes (like Rosewood or Golden Oak). A high-impact, durable foil or a uPVC “CoolSkin” is bonded to the door’s surface using a vacuum-forming process. These skins are pre-coloured and feature protective layers, including powerful UV-resistant coatings, to prevent discolouration even in direct sunlight.
3. Specialist Painting
For bespoke or premium colours (such as any specific RAL colour you want to match), many manufacturers offer a specialist spray-painting service. This isn’t ordinary painting. The paint is chemically bonded and sealed onto the panel in a controlled factory environment, often including a baking process. This creates an extremely durable finish that is designed not to crack, peel, or flake.
Fading vs. Dulling: The Real Enemy is Grime
This is the most critical point. 99% of what people *think* is fading is actually just a build-up of grime that makes the finish look dull.
- The Real Danger: The biggest threat to your door’s finish is improper cleaning. Never use pressure washers, abrasive pads, or bleach-based solvents. These will scratch the GRP, foil, or paint and strip its protective layer.
- The Simple Fix: Most of the time, a door that looks “faded” just needs a good clean with the right products.
How Colour Stability Compares: Composite vs. uPVC vs. Timber
Colour stability is one of the biggest factors when choosing a new front door. While a price difference is one thing, long-term looks are another. See our full breakdown in Composite Doors vs. uPVC Doors: Which is *Really* Better?
| Door Material Colour Stability Comparison | ||
|---|---|---|
| Material | How It “Fades” | Required Maintenance |
| Composite | Does not fade. The colour is locked in via pigmentation, foils, or specialist paint. May get a dull appearance from grime. | Wipe down with soap and water 2-3 times a year. |
| uPVC | Can yellow and become brittle. UV rays break down the plastic, leading to irreversible yellowing, especially on white doors. | Cannot be reversed. Harsh cleaners can damage the plastic further. |
| Timber | Will fade, crack, and peel. Paint is a surface layer that is attacked by weather, requiring a full strip-down and repaint. | Must be sanded and repainted/re-stained every 3-7 years. |
Does Your Door Colour Choice Matter?
You might worry that dark colours like Black or Anthracite Grey are more prone to issues. While they do absorb more heat, all high-quality composite door finishes (through-colour, foil, or paint) are engineered to handle this. The UV inhibitors are extremely effective.
The *real* consideration isn’t fading, but choosing a colour you’ll love for decades. Get inspiration and tips in our guide on How to Choose the Right Colour for Your Composite Door.
Conclusion: A Door Colour You Can Count On
So, do composite doors fade? The answer is a resounding no. Thanks to advanced manufacturing—whether it’s a through-colour GRP skin, a durable foil wrap, or a specialist baked-on paint—you can invest with confidence. Your door will look as good in ten years as it did on day one—as long as you keep it clean!
| Ready to See the Full Picture? |
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Now that you know your colour is safe, are you ready to explore all the other benefits? From unmatched security to thermal efficiency, see everything they have to offer in our main guide.
Composite Doors Explained: Benefits, Types, and Costs. |
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Fading is a permanent loss of colour pigment caused by UV rays, which modern composite doors are engineered to prevent. Dulling is a temporary loss of shine caused by a surface build-up of grime, which is easily fixed with a simple clean (soap and water).
No. All high-quality composite door finishes (through-colour, foil-wrapped, or specialist painted) have powerful UV inhibitors built-in. They are specifically designed and tested to withstand direct, intense sunlight without fading.
Not at all. Modern, multi-layered foils (like CoolSkins) are extremely durable, scratch-resistant, and co-extruded with UV-blocking layers. They are engineered to be just as fade-resistant and long-lasting as their through-colour counterparts.
First, give it a thorough clean with warm, soapy water (using a non-abrasive cloth). If it still looks dull, you can use a specialist composite door polish or restoration cream (do not use car wax) to bring back the original lustre.
Yes, a manufacturer’s warranty will typically cover colour fastness and fade resistance for a set period (often 10 years). However, this warranty is almost always void if you use abrasive cleaners, solvents, or attempt to paint the door yourself.
Mark Pearce is a highly experienced specialist in the double glazing industry, having built his knowledge from the ground up through hands-on experience in installation, manufacturing, sales, and business management. Beyond his role at KJM, Mark is a keen blogger, writer, and traveller, often sharing insights on the latest innovations in the home improvement industry.
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