06 Jan Is a Foil-Finished Door More Durable Than a Painted One?

When people choose a new front door, colour is usually the first thing they notice. But the way that colour is added to the door is also very important. The finish affects how your door looks over time and how easy it is to look after.

If you are shopping for composite doors in Cardiff, knowing the difference between Renolit foil finishes and painted doors can help you choose something you will still like years down the line.

What is a Renolit foil finish?

A Renolit foil finish is not paint. It is a special outer layer that is bonded to the door during manufacturing, which is how it becomes part of the door surface.

Palladio composite doors, supplied and installed by Affordable Quality Windows (AQW), use Renolit foil finishes as standard. These foils are made for external doors and are highly resistant to fading and peeling. Because the foil is factory-applied, the colour remains consistent across the door and frame.

Renolit foils also offer a wide choice of colours and realistic woodgrain finishes. Homeowners can achieve the look of painted timber without the ongoing maintenance that painted finishes tend to require.

What are painted door finishes?

Painted doors have a surface-applied coating. When they are new, they look stylish, especially in modern colours.

That said, paint is directly exposed to the weather. Over time, sunlight can cause fading and moisture/temperature changes can create bubbling or flaking paint. Painted composite doors are not a bad option but they usually require periodic repainting or touch-ups to maintain their appearance.

It is also worth noting that Universal Composite Doors (AQW’s standard composite range) are typically finished using durable GRP or thermoplastic skins with colour integrated into the surface. This reduces the need for ongoing cosmetic maintenance.

How does outdoor weather affect each finish?

Sunlight is one of the main reasons doors lose their colour. With painted doors, the colour is on the surface, so fading tends to become noticeable over time.

Renolit foil finishes include built-in UV resistance. This feature keeps the colour stable even on doors that receive a lot of direct sunlight. This is one of the reasons Renolit foils are commonly used on premium composite doors like the Palladio range.

Renolit foils are bonded tightly to the door surface, so they are more stable during temperature changes. For many homeowners, this results in a longer-lasting finish with less visible wear.

Everyday maintenance

Painted doors usually need more maintenance. Small chips may need fixing and repainting is generally needed every few years to keep the door looking its best.

Foil-finished composite doors are much easier to maintain. In most cases, cleaning with warm water and a soft cloth is all that is needed. This low-maintenance finish is a big reason why many homeowners choose Renolit foil composite doors when upgrading their front door.

Are you looking for high-quality composite doors in Cardiff?

Affordable Quality Windows (AQW) supplies and installs Universal Composite Doors and Palladio Composite Doors across Cardiff. We offer a wide range of styles, colours, glazing options and hardware to suit all types of homes. Contact us today to request a free quote or book a survey.