Wood or UPVC

[bullethead123]

Hi,
I need to replace my woòden backdoor and frame. Should I stick wit wood or go UPVC?
Thanks

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Same question as before, the same answer!

 

[bullethead123]

Thanks for answering (twice) Harry. I posted the same q in the carpentry and windows&doors threads to see if carpenters and window fitters would have the same opinion.
I get that upvc should require less maintenance but I have had an experience of a upvc door expanding when subject to direct sunshine such that it became impossible to close and lock until sundown. I guess the reason was heat expansion of the metal frame within the upvc.
The door I am replacing gets a lot of sunshine so I lean towards wood.
Is heat expansion a known problem with upvc or was my experience unusual?

 

[jj4091]

You can get the same problme with wooden doors expanding due to moisture in Winter so it's six of one and half a dozen of the other really.

 

[Harry Bloomfield]

Is heat expansion a known problem with upvc or was my experience unusual?

Well, I have two composite doors, and both face into the sun. I know they move and expand slightly in the sun, but they never jam. It is down to the builder/installer, to allow for expansion. I've had much more problems with timber doors expanding, the difference being timber expands in the wetter winter, and shrink in the heat of summer.

 

[Why Not Indeed]

I have a black composite door that is east-facing, so full sun for quite a few hours in summer, and have never had a problem with it being difficult to open/close. Yes, it's a little bit tighter. But definitely not difficult.

 

[chirpychippy]

I am a Carpenter and love all things wood, faced with your dilemma I would always choose uPVC.