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Our Door Range
Composite front doors
Composite front doors built from several materials pressed together under high pressure, typically a timber or foam core wrapped in a glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) skin. That layered construction is what gives composite doors their strength and their resistance to warping, something a single-material door can't match. They're the door most Cambridge homeowners choose for a period front entrance, because the moulded panel detail can closely match traditional joinery while giving you a 48mm-plus solid core, far better insulation than old timber, and a lock that's difficult to force.
uPVC entrance doors
uPVC (unplasticised polyvinyl chloride) doors are the most budget-conscious option on the market. They won't rot, rust or need repainting, and modern uPVC doors hold their colour far better than the chalky white doors of a decade ago. They suit rear and side entrances particularly well, where appearance matters less than reliability and low upkeep.
French doors
Two hinged leaves opening outward or inward, meeting in the centre with no central post to obstruct the view. French doors work well where you want a traditional look and don't need a very wide opening; they're a natural fit for smaller gardens, period conservatories, and Victorian or Edwardian rear extensions where a full-width bi-fold would look out of place.
Sliding patio doors
Patio doors run on a track rather than swinging on hinges, which makes them the practical choice where floor space is tight — inside a small kitchen-diner, for example, where a hinged door would clip a table or worktop every time it opened. They give you a large glazed area without the swing radius a French door needs.
Bi-folding doors
A bi-fold set is made up of several glazed panels that concertina back to one or both sides, opening up to roughly 90% of the aperture width. They're the door of choice for rear extensions and open-plan kitchen-diners, where the goal is to erase the line between inside and outside. The trade-off against French or patio doors is cost and, on wider sets, a small step in structural planning; more panels and a bigger opening usually mean checking the lintel and support with a builder or structural engineer before the frame goes in.
Aluminium doors
Aluminium frames are noticeably slimmer than uPVC or composite for the same strength, which means more glass and less frame in your eyeline. That makes aluminium the material most often specified for bi-fold and patio doors on contemporary extensions, and for heritage-style doors on period homes where a slim sightline is needed to match original steel-framed windows.
Interior and bi-fold internal doors
Internal bi-fold and panel doors open up a hallway, connect a kitchen to a dining room, or bring light into an otherwise dark internal space, without the security and weatherproofing considerations that come with an external door. Style and finish matter more here than locking hardware matching skirting, architrave and floor colour is usually the deciding factor.
Door panel replacement and repairs
Not every door problem needs a full replacement. If the frame, hinges and locking mechanism are sound but the panel is cracked, faded, or the glazing has misted, a panel can often be cut to size and replaced on its own, a repair that costs a fraction of a new door and can usually be done in a single visit.
Which Door Material Is Right for You?
| Attribute | uPVC | Composite | Aluminium |
|---|---|---|---|
| Typical lifespan | 20–25 years | 25–35 years | 35–45 years |
| Upfront cost | Lowest | Mid-range | Highest |
| Maintenance | Wipe clean, occasional lubrication | Wipe clean, minimal upkeep | Wipe clean, virtually maintenance-free |
| Thermal performance | Good | Very good (foam or timber core) | Good, depends on thermal break design |
| Security | Multi-point locking as standard | Multi-point locking, reinforced core | Multi-point locking, slim but strong profile |
| Best suited to | Rear/side doors, budget-conscious projects | Front doors, period properties, heritage matching | Bi-folds, patios, contemporary extensions |
| Colour/finish stability | Good on modern foil-laminated finishes | Excellent, woodgrain finishes age well | Excellent, powder-coated finish rarely fades |
There's no single "best" material; only the best fit for your door's job. A rear door that's opened twenty times a day and takes the brunt of the weather has different priorities than a front door that needs to look right on a Victorian terrace, or a set of bi-folds that need to disappear into a wall of glass.
Choosing the Right Door for Your Cambridge Property
Cambridge's housing stock is more varied than most cities its size, and that variation genuinely changes which door makes sense.
Victorian and Edwardian terraces
Victorian and Edwardian terraces in Romsey, Petersfield, Mill Road and the city centre have a panelled front door with a fanlight or sidelight. A composite door with moulded panels, in a heritage colour, keeps proportions while adding security and insulation.
1930s and post-war semis
1930s and post-war semis (found through areas like Cherry Hinton and parts of Trumpington) tend to have plainer door openings, which gives more flexibility; a clean composite or uPVC design in a contemporary colour usually suits without looking out of place.
New-build estates
New-build estates (such as recent developments around Trumpington Meadows and Orchard Park) are built to current thermal regulations, so aluminium and composite doors with A-rated glazing are a natural match, and there's rarely a heritage restriction to work around.
In Cambridge conservation areas, and for listed buildings, front door replacement often needs planning permission or listed building consent — matching style, material and colour. Check with Cambridge City Council's planning department before ordering. We can advise on what's typically accepted locally, but the council's planning portal is the definitive source.
Security You Can Rely On
Multi-point locking:
PAS 24:
Secured by Design:
Anti-snap cylinders:
Repair or Replace Your Door?
Repair usually makes sense when:
Replacement usually makes sense when:
Panel-only replacement:
Door Maintenance and Aftercare
uPVC doors:
uPVC doors need the least attention; wipe the frame down with warm soapy water a few times a year, and apply a light silicone-based lubricant to hinges and the locking mechanism annually to keep it moving smoothly.
Composite doors:
Composite doors need a similar wipe-down routine. Because the outer skin is GRP rather than paint on bare timber, colour fade and cracking are far less of an issue than with a traditional wooden door, but it's still worth checking the weather seal around the frame once a year for signs of perishing, particularly on a door that gets direct sun for much of the day.
Aluminium doors:
Aluminium doors are the lowest-maintenance material of the three; the powder-coated finish resists fading and doesn't need repainting, though hinges and running gear on bi-fold and sliding sets benefit from an annual clean to keep tracks free of grit and debris.
Customer Reviews
Contacted George and he came to visit and recieved his qoute very quickly - I have had several jobs completed by area cladding and the workmanship has been exemplary- with windows - cladding and conservatory improvements- cant fault George and his team and i definitely recommended his work and competitive pricing . Thanks for all the work completed .
Area Cladding round last week to replace 2 door locks. Very friendly and efficient. Great job I chose them because I have had 2 houses of windows replaced over the years and wouldn’t choose anyone else.
I have used Area Cladding Ltd many times in the past for the fitting of windows, doors and external cladding. This time it was two bedroom windows and, once again, George and his team did a brilliant job. The work was done in an efficient and thorough way and my rooms were left exactly as they had been found. I would highly recommend Area Cladding Ltd for this type of work.
Area cladding are a 5 star company. We have had a conservatory built by them and they provided a wonderful service. My parents also had windows and doors provided by them 30 years ago and they are still in great condition. Recently my mum had a problem with the lock on the door and they came within a few hours and fixed it. Area cladding are a top company and i give them the highest recommendation.
Absolutely thrilled with the double glazing windows installed! The team was efficient, fast, and a real pleasure to have around - super pleasant, professional, and even a bit of fun. The windows look fantastic and have already caught the attention of several neighbours asking who did them and if they can get a quote too! It’s clear these guys know what they’re doing. Highly recommend - great work and great people.
Highly recommend Area Cladding! We used them for windows, doors, cladding, fascias/soffits and guttering in March 2025 on recommendation from family and now pass that recommendation on as they are fantastic! They work hard, to high standards, are clean and tidy, competitively priced and a joy to have around, but what we also appreciate, is their knowledge, experience and network, as they have provided us with great support and advice and also contacts for other work we are looking to have done - thank you George, Jack and Jordan and we look forward to having you back again in the future for more home improvements!
Our Door Installation Process
Why Choose Area Cladding for Your Doors
Our own installation team
Fully insured, guarantee in writing
What Affects the Cost of New Doors?
The most accurate way to understand what your project will cost is a survey — it lets us account for your exact opening, material choice and specification rather than working from a generic estimate.
Energy-Efficient Doors and Lower Bills
An old, single-glazed timber door with a worn seal is one of the more overlooked sources of heat loss in an older Cambridge home; draughts around the frame and heat escaping through the door panel itself both add up over a winter.
Modern doors are rated on the same window energy rating scale, from A++ down to G, based on the U-value of the whole door set (frame, panel and glazing together). A lower U-value means less heat escapes. Double glazing brings most doors comfortably into a B or A rating; triple glazing pushes the U-value lower still, though the improvement is more marginal on a door than on a large window, given the smaller glazed area involved.
For an older Cambridge property moving from a single-glazed or poorly sealed door to a modern double-glazed composite or uPVC door, a noticeable drop in draughts around the frame is usually the first thing people notice — often before they see any change in their heating bill, which typically shows up gradually over the following heating season rather than immediately.
Our Door Services Across Cambridge and Surrounding Areas
We take pride in delivering durable, great-looking results with honest pricing and outstanding service.
Get a Free Quote for Your New Doors in Cambridge
If you're weighing up composite against uPVC, wondering whether your Victorian terrace needs planning permission, or just want an honest price for a new set of bi-folds, get in touch and we'll arrange a survey. We'll give you a clear recommendation based on your property and priorities, not a one-size-fits-all pitch.