DIY Builds
Photo by Ayşenur Şahin Pexels Logo Photo: Ayşenur Şahin

Do uPVC doors swell in the heat?

It's completely normal for doors to swell, whether they are composite, uPVC, or timber. Unfortunately, they all suffer from swelling when it gets hot outside. As with the majority of materials, uPVC expands and contracts slightly in more intense weather conditions.

How big is a 1500 square-foot house?
How big is a 1500 square-foot house?

12' by 125' also equals 1,500 square feet. The typical shotgun house measures 12 feet in width. It usually contains three or four rooms, equaling...

Read More »
How do you heat a shed economically?
How do you heat a shed economically?

Start by insulating your shed. Keep heat trapped by adequately insulating your wooden garden building. ... Use electric radiators. Ideal for close...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »

If you’re considering replacing your current doors with new uPVC doors, you may be wondering if they swell or warp over time. This is a common concern for many homeowners, so we are here to explain this issue using our knowledge and expertise.

What is door warping?

The simple answer is that some doors, mainly older timber ones, warp due to uneven drying of the wood fibres contained within them. Some woods have higher moisture content than other kinds of woods and are therefore more susceptible to warping. Exterior moisture levels also can contribute cause wood to warp. Our reliable uPVC doors provide excellent protection against the diverse weather conditions we experience along the South West coastline, let alone the rest of the UK! Resistant to warping or cracking, you never have to worry about your Seal-lite door warping or bowing.

Why does uPVC swell?

It’s completely normal for doors to swell, whether they are composite, uPVC, or timber. Unfortunately, they all suffer from swelling when it gets hot outside. As with the majority of materials, uPVC expands and contracts slightly in more intense weather conditions. You may find that in extreme warm and cold weather your doors are becoming stiff and not opening and closing properly. uPVC is known to expand in the heat; at 40°C it is possible for uPVC frames to expand by up to 2.4cm. This is a perfectly natural element of the material and absolutely nothing to be concerned about, but it can cause temporary problems and difficulty with opening and closing your doors.

What can you do to help with uPVC doors swelling?

Fortunately, here in the UK, we don’t experience extreme heat that often and temperatures of 40°C are seldom. That being said, if your uPVC doors do swell, when the temperature cools you should find that your doors return back to normal and no permanent damage will be caused. Unfortunately, there is not much that can be done except to wait for the uPVC to cool. However if the swelling does become too extreme you can always try to spray it with cold water or use a cold, damp cloth to pat it down. This should help to cool the plastic and allow it to return back to a normal temperature quicker.

Do you need to worry about your uPVC doors swelling?

No! Your doors are not broken and do not need replacing if they swell. This is a perfectly natural occurrence and can affect darker-colored uPVC products more seriously due to the amount of heat being absorbed.

uPVC doors from Seal-Lite

Manufactured in-house, our dynamically durable uPVC entrance door range has energy efficiency ingrained within their design. Exceptionally user-friendly whilst offering first-class security features, our uPVC replacement entrance doors dramatically retain and conserve energy within homes and businesses across North Somerset and the South West; so much so, they can considerably reduce heating bills too.

Seal-lite are here to help with your home improvements

Seal-Lite of Clevedon are a specialist installer of high-quality home improvement solutions. We’re ready to help with your next home improvement project, call us on or receive your free no-obligation quote here.

How do I keep the heat off my shed roof?
How do I keep the heat off my shed roof?

Installing vents on the roof or gable wall will allow hot air to escape from the attic or upper level. Adding a powered exhaust fan will accelerate...

Read More »
How deep do you drill for Tapcons?
How deep do you drill for Tapcons?

The length of the Tapcon bit to use must be long enough to ensure that the hole drilled into the base material is 1/2” deeper than the Tapcon screw...

Read More »

What paint gives the smoothest finish?
What paint gives the smoothest finish?

Satin Satin finish Satin. Satin finish paint has a smooth, velvety look with a bit more gloss than eggshell. It is most often used for windows,...

Read More »
Will 2022 be a good time to build a house?
Will 2022 be a good time to build a house?

Yes 2022 can still be a good time to build your custom forever home, despite rising costs and interest rates. Building your custom home is an...

Read More »
Can I put my shed on dirt?
Can I put my shed on dirt?

It might seem easier to place a shed directly on the ground, but that's a bad idea for two reasons. First, the build site should be a level surface...

Read More »
Can I build my own shed?
Can I build my own shed?

Yes, with the right plans you can build your dream shed.

Learn More »
Do you need foundation under garage?
Do you need foundation under garage?

Building a concrete foundation for your garage plays a crucial role in the lifetime of the garage. A garage foundation is typically made of a...

Read More »