Composite doors have definitely made a name for themselves in recent years due to their longevity and multiple styles, as well as cost-effectiveness. But are they easy to clean and maintain?
Composite doors are made with a composition of multiple materials - hence the name - with the idea that you can get the best out of multiple materials while only having the look of one. (Find out more in our detailed guide: what is a composite door)
Many choose to have composite doors with a wood-like effect on the front, while others opt for the plastic, or metallic look, depending on the style of their home.
So, they are cost-effective, stylish, secure and modern, but how easy are they to maintain and how do you clean them? Let's talk about what to use to keep your composite door looking freshly installed...
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What to Use for Cleaning Composite Doors
In order to properly look after your composite door, you will need to keep it clean.
You will need to keep your door frame free of the grit and grime that can build up over time and will impact the way that the door opens and closes.
Thankfully, one of the reasons why so many people choose to have a composite door is due to the fact that they are particularly low maintenance.
In fact, all that you will need to clean composite doors is a bucket of warm soapy water and clean with a dry soft cloth and a sponge.
For the soapy water, you can easily use washing up liquid, soap, etc. Ideally, you should undertake maintenance on your composite door for just a few minutes a month.
When it comes to the other hardware on your composite door like the hinges, locks, etc., you should maintain them at least every six months.
In order to clean them, you will need to use a quality specialist oil and a dry cloth.
Do Composite Doors Fade?
One of the main reasons why people would rather use a composite door than any other kind nowadays is due to the fact that they last for a very long time.
One of the reasons that they are made with a composition of multiple materials is so that they can withstand the different abrasive weather that every door faces throughout a year.
You can keep your composite door looking as good simply by cleaning it regularly with warm water and a clean cloth.
In fact, they are particularly resistant to fading, rotting, discolouration, warping, and other kinds of destructive changes that occur in most doors.
In order to ensure that your composite door keeps its vibrant and strong colour for a long as possible, maintain it properly - including applying Polytrol to restore the colour when needed.
How Do You Restore Colour to A Composite Door?
In order to restore the colour on a composite door, you will first need to clean the door completely.
That includes removing any dirt from the surface of the door, cleaning around the frame, and even finishing the windows with a glass cleaner.
Even though you will not be painting the glass, you will be surprised at how different a composite door will look after you properly wipe the windows!
Then, you will need to apply a thick layer of Polytrol. Polytrol is a strong oil that can penetrate plastics, timber, metals, etc., and help to restore their original colour.
On metals specifically, Polytrol can help to restore the original shine and style and even help to protect the metal from future corrosion.
Before applying the Polytrol to your composite door, it is essential to leave it to dry for at least 24 hours.
Applying the Polytrol to a wet surface will not produce the desired effect and could negatively impact the door.
If you've had a complete change of mind about the colour of your door, you may also be wondering if you can paint a composite door? < Our guide reveals the answer.
Can You Use Wd40 to Clean a Composite Door?
In order to clean composite doors and for the general upkeep, it is essential not to use just anything, including WD40.
WD40 dries quickly and does not help to lubricate the door properly.
Some installers use WD40 to help give the door that extra shine; however, the effect will not last for long and, in the end, will not do any significant damage, but it will not do much good either.
In order to clean a composite door, it is best to use warm soapy water, a soft sponge, and a dry cloth to wipe up the excess water.
Once the door has completely dried (which should take approximately 24 hours), you can apply the oils you need to lubricate the door’s metal parts.
How Do You Clean a Black Composite Door?
Over time, black doors have become increasingly popular. They do not require as much cleaning as white and light coloured doors, and they provide a more modern look to a home.
In order to clean black composite doors, all you need is to use the same products and materials that you would when any other colour.
In short, a bucket of warm soapy water, a good sponge, and a clean, dry cloth will do the trick. It is also important to remember to use proper oils on the metalware in order to keep the door working perfectly.
It is important to remember not to use any harsh chemicals such as chemical detergents, bleach, abrasive fluid, etc.
This can severely damage the door and impact the colour, light or black. In order to keep the perfect wooden finish on the door, you must always use soft soap and clean cloths.
Summary
As you can see, maintaining a composite door does not take nearly as long as one might assume, and it definitely does not cost a lot of money.
Due to the fact that there is a combination of so many materials in a composite door, it is only natural to assume that you would need multiple products, tools, and a lot of time and energy to treat all of the materials within the door adequately.
However, thankfully, this is not the case. In fact, a key selling point of these fantastic front doors (or rear) is that they are so easy to clean and require very little maintenance despite their complex construction.
