British composite door supplier DoorCo has reported a rise in demand for stable doors and products designed for less conventional entrances, which it says has been driven partly by the unusually hot summer weather.
The company said recent heatwaves had generated a “flurry” of enquiries for stable doors, with sales subsequently increasing as homeowners looked for ways to improve ventilation while maintaining security.
Ben Aspinall, commercial director at DoorCo, said stable doors had proved particularly attractive because their split design allows the upper section to be opened independently.
“The recent run of heatwaves has sent a flurry of Stable Door enquiries that we have passed on to our customers, resulting in a significant jump in sales for our purpose-built product,” he said.
DoorCo offers stable doors using its ORiGINAL and GRiPCORE slabs, with a choice of cottage-style designs, glazing and colours. The products are supplied with Winkhaus stable door locking kits and Stormguard weather bars.
The company is also encouraging installers and homeowners to consider composite doors for entrances beyond the front of the property, including back and side doors, garages, garden rooms, sheds, outbuildings and home offices.
Security is one factor behind the trend, according to DoorCo. Citing the 2025 Burglary Report, Mr Aspinall said around a quarter of home burglaries took place through the back door, while 66 per cent of homeowners making damage reports said an external door had been damaged.
He said advances in door products and smart locks meant homeowners could consider upgrading a wider range of entrances.
DoorCo has also expanded its BRiTDOR collection with “Short Doors”, designed for smaller or non-standard openings. The re-engineered slabs are available in 49 designs, with minimum widths of 332mm and minimum heights of 1,555mm.
They can be fitted with a choice of three Winkhaus STV Thunderbolt locking kits and prepared for different handles, hinges and letterplates.
At the other end of the scale, DoorCo is targeting larger entrances, including those used in newer homes designed with accessibility in mind.
Its Eaton door, part of the ORiGINAL foam-core range, measures 950mm by 2,100mm and is available in eight designs. The Tatton version includes a large glazed upper panel intended to bring more daylight into the property.
Mr Aspinall said the growing range of sizes and specifications meant composite doors could increasingly be considered across an entire property rather than simply for its main entrance.
“Whatever the opportunity, security should be a priority from front to back,” he said.
Why This Matters: The significance of this story lies in DoorCo’s response to identifiable market needs. Successful fenestration businesses do more than launch products; they analyse how homes are being used, where security concerns exist and what changing conditions mean for consumers. The stable door is a strong example: it addresses access, security and ventilation in one proposition. With warmer summers and greater focus on secondary entrances, suppliers that understand these characteristics can develop relevant products and give installers credible upselling opportunities today.
