Solidor Sterling composite door in Chartwell Green with chrome hardware and Parklane Bespoke external glass on a Georgian-style home with a white bay PVC-U window and internal white shutters.

Sophia’s Style Notes: How I chose the perfect composite door for our family Leicestershire home

(5 minute read)

The search for style

Choosing a front door might seem straightforward, but when you’re a busy family like mine, it’s all about finding a balance between style, practicality, and security.

Hi, I’m Sophia. I live with my husband and our two young children in a Georgian-style semi in Great Bowden, a beautiful village near Market Harborough. While our home has loads of charm, our front door was starting to feel a little… tired. It didn’t match the vibe we wanted to create for our family, so it became one of the first things on my to-do list when we decided to spruce things up.

We knew we wanted a door that was both stylish and functional. It had to be low-maintenance (we’ve got enough to juggle between work and school), secure, and energy-efficient. And, of course, it needed to look great — the first thing people would see when they came to our home.

In this post, I’ll share my experience of choosing the perfect Solidor composite door for our home, and why I trusted Abbey Windows Leicester with the installation.

Form meets function

While style was at the top of my list, I couldn’t ignore the practical side of things. After all, this door wasn’t just for show — it had to stand up to the day-to-day chaos that comes with family life.

With two young children, a dog, and a busy schedule, I needed a door that could withstand the elements while also keeping our home secure and comfortable. The old wooden door just wasn’t cutting it. It was drafty, hard to maintain, and didn’t offer the level of security we needed. Plus, the constant repainting was taking up far too much of my time — something I just couldn’t afford.

That’s when I started looking into composite doors. I wanted something that was low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and, of course, stylish. After doing some research, it was clear that Solidor composite doors ticked all the boxes. They’re durable, resistant to the weather, and provide excellent insulation, which means fewer drafts and lower heating bills — a big win for our home and our family.

It was important to me to find a door that would keep us safe, but I also didn’t want to compromise on the look. The Solidor range offers plenty of design options that suit our home’s style. So, I knew I had to find a door that worked in harmony with the classic look of our Georgian semi, while also giving us the modern benefits we needed.

Tech-savvy touches

In today’s world, technology plays a big role in convenience and security, and our new front door was no exception. We decided to add a Ring video doorbell alongside our Solidor door.

The Ring doorbell lets us see and speak to visitors, even when we’re not home, which is perfect for deliveries or unexpected callers. It’s also reassuring to know that we can monitor everything right from our phones.

It’s just one more way we’ve made our home both stylish and secure, without compromising on convenience.

Sustainable choices that last

As a family, we try to make choices that align with our values, especially when it comes to sustainability. Choosing a Solidor composite door was an easy decision because it’s designed to help with energy efficiency, which is something we care deeply about.

Composite doors are great at reducing heat loss, which helps to keep our home warm in winter without cranking up the heating. This small change contributes to lowering our carbon footprint and ultimately helps us live a little greener.

The family factor

When you’ve got kids running around, a door needs to be more than just stylish — it has to stand up to the daily chaos of family life. Whether it’s school runs, the dog darting out, or kids trying to sneak in and out of the house, we needed a door that could handle it all.

The Solidor composite door provides the perfect balance of security and durability. It’s strong enough to withstand all the hustle and bustle of family life, while still adding a beautiful, welcoming touch to our home.

We’re confident it’ll keep our family safe and secure for years to come.

The final choice

I wanted a door that felt classic with a modern twist. That’s why I chose a Solidor composite door in Chartwell Green with chrome accents. It gives me the timeless look I love — with the peace of mind of modern security.

Subtle, muted green swatch showcasing a classic, timeless door colour.

The blend of traditional style with contemporary details feels perfect for our Georgian home, and I’m thrilled with how it looks. It’s exactly what we were after — elegant, secure, and built to last.

Solidor Sterling composite door in Chartwell Green with chrome hardware and Parklane Bespoke glass on a Georgian-style home with white bay PVC-U window and internal white shutters.

The installation experience

The installation process was seamless. Gavin, the surveyor from Abbey Windows Leicester, came to our home first to ensure everything was measured precisely. His attention to detail gave us confidence that our new door would fit perfectly.

Craig, the installer, has years of experience, and it really showed — he was professional, friendly, and worked efficiently to get our new door fitted perfectly. He made sure everything was done to a high standard, and we couldn’t have asked for a better service.

From the initial consultation to the installation day, we felt supported every step of the way. There was no hard sell — just expert advice, and the team worked quickly and efficiently. We were impressed by their attention to detail and how they took care of everything.

It was clear that Abbey Windows Leicester, with their 35 years of experience, really knows their stuff, and they made the entire experience stress-free for our family.

Final thoughts

Looking back on the whole process, I’m so glad we chose Abbey Windows Leicester to install our new front door. From the design phase to the final installation, everything went smoothly, and we ended up with a door that fits our home perfectly — both in terms of style and practicality.

We’ve already noticed a difference in how secure we feel at home, and while we haven’t had long enough to see a dramatic reduction in our energy bills, I’m confident the improved insulation will make a difference over time.

If you’re feeling unsure about choosing a composite door or what design would best suit your home, I’d definitely recommend speaking with Abbey Windows Leicester. Their experience and customer service made all the difference, and I couldn’t be happier with our choice.

 


 

Important: About Sophia

Sophia Clarke is a fictional lifestyle contributor created by Abbey Windows Leicester. Her stories are inspired by real customer experiences and reflect the values, choices, and questions we hear every day from homeowners across Leicestershire. Sophia’s approach to home improvement blends style, practicality, and a focus on making thoughtful, sustainable choices that fit her busy family life.

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