Cheaper products can be the most expensive door awareness

With 10 year warranties on PVC-U door panels and various types of composite doors having become commonplace in our industry in recent years, it may be tempting to view these extended guarantees as totally risk-free. That’s the concern of Cheltenham-based door manufacturer Portal Products which is urging window and door companies to consider carefully the negative effects of product failure before choosing a supplier.

The company advises careful research of product quality to avoid problems further down the line. Whilst it’s true that in most cases manufacturers will supply a replacement product if necessary, under the terms of their warranty, that’s not the end of the story. Many companies fail to take on board the magnitude of additional costs they risk running up in the event of doors failing to perform in the field, not to mention the negative effect this has on customer relations. Add up the expense of an initial visit to assess the problem; negotiation of a replacement product with the supplier; and at least half a day with a fitting team on site to install the replacement (because you can bet that Mrs Smith with the cracked panel lives half way up Ben Nevis down an unclassified farm track), and you’ll quickly see that manufacturer guarantees don’t always give as much protection as you might at first think.

What to look for

‘In my experience less expensive products can many times end up costing the most, in the long run’ says Haydon Statham of Portal Products. ‘You may think you’re saving money, but it only takes a few costly warranty replacements to eat up that initial cost advantage and some’. He continues: ‘Not that I’m advocating that the most expensive product is always the best though. It’s all about researching the market and finding products of proven quality. Look for a manufacturer with an established reputation, a good track record, and then consider the price to make sure you get the best overall value for money’.

Reputation

In 13 years of manufacturing PVC-U panels and composite doors, Portal Products says that it has earned a market-leading reputation for superior product quality, backed up by an exemplary record of product performance.

The company claims to be the first to achieve BPF 355/1 accreditation for its PVC-U panels. This revised standard applies to solid, white, unglazed infill panels and requires them to undergo stringent impact, abrasion and fire resistance tests. Fabricators with Kitemark accreditation must use panels to the BPF criteria, so Portal Products felt it imperative to achieve the new standard itself. It also underlines the quality and performance of the product.

Compax material

To overcome the problems of bowing, blistering or even cracking, associated with wood grain panels, Portal Products has incorporated a Compax door skin in to its Thermasure woodgrain products. Compax is a modified polycarbonate material with excellent thermal and mechanical properties which, combined with the construction incorporating plywood and vented foam core, produces a panel claimed to out-perform other materials often used in the manufacture of door panels.

Portal’s Paladin composite doors have gained a reputation for quality in the industry. GRP models featuring strong through-colour GRP facing, stable timber inner frame and high insulation foam core, are further strengthened by full face aluminium hinge and lock plates. To complement the door a reinforced low maintenance frame provides added security and weather protection. Paladin doors carry Secured by Design accreditation and are weather tested to BS6375.

Commenting on the company’s experience Haydon concludes: ‘At Portal we’re well placed to give advice because we’ve proved to our customers over the years that a little more spent on good quality door products saves a lot of time, trouble and money when you look at the bigger picture. It’s tempting, especially when things are tight like they are in our industry at the moment, to go for the lowest possible price. We have come across plenty of examples however that prove that that particular road can lead to much more expense at the end of the day’.