Rewriting the rules: How Hurst developed the UK’s first fully PAS24 accredited PVC-U glazed panel door

Rewriting the rules: How Hurst developed the UK’s first fully PAS24 accredited PVC-U glazed panel door

For years, the PVC-U panel door has been a staple in the entrance door market – dependable, affordable and widely used. But as security requirements have tightened, panel doors have found themselves sidelined in favour of composite alternatives. That is, until now.

Hurst Doors has launched Securicore™, a next-generation PVC-U door panel that not only meets PAS24 standards but does so without sacrificing affordability, thermal performance or aesthetics.

Developed over two years and tested as part of a fully fabricated doorset, Securicore™ represents a breakthrough in both product design and market opportunity.

“The market perception of panel doors is still stuck in the past,” says Mark Atkinson, Sales Director at Hurst. “People think of climbing roses, Georgian bars and mahogany woodgrain – but the market’s moved on. Security and thermal values remain key, but so too are cost-effectiveness and contemporary styling. Securicore™ gives us all of that in one solution.”

The achievement is no small feat. The PAS24 standard includes a range of stringent tests – including soft and hard body impacts, cut-through attempts, and aggressive manipulation tests – all simulating real-world attempts at forced entry and long-term wear. These tests have historically been the downfall of PVC-U panels, particularly in glazed formats.

“The cut-through test was always the Achilles’ heel for PVC-U,” says Mark. “To overcome it, we had to look at alternative reinforcement solutions that wouldn’t compromise the panel’s weight, cost or thermal efficiency.”

A breakthrough came when the team identified a PVC-U compound in a 4mm option that delivered on security without impacting thermal values or increasing panel thickness. “That allowed us to stick with the industry-standard 28mm format but still have the flexibility to accommodate other thicknesses,” says Mark.

The result? A product that not only passed but exceeded PAS24 requirements – even as a half-glazed panel, thanks in part to a specially developed and exclusive glazing clip system.

Future-proofing for a changing market

While PAS24 compliance is currently mandatory in new build and social housing sectors, updates to Document Q of Building Regulations may soon extend those requirements into home improvement and replacement markets. For Hurst, this shift was a key motivation behind Securicore™’s development.

“We saw it coming,” Mark explains. “Two years ago, we sat down and made the decision to invest heavily in panel R&D. Panels are still a core part of our business – we produce over 3,500 a week – and we weren’t prepared to lose that share because the legislation changed. Securicore™ puts our customers ahead of the curve.”

What sets the panel apart, aside from its PAS24 credentials, is its versatility. It is available in various thicknesses and compatible with almost all of Hurst’s existing panel door range – including seven new styles developed to reflect more contemporary tastes.

Colours like Pebble Grey, Anthracite Smooth and Agate Grey are already seeing strong uptake, and the new designs mirror the look of composite doors while retaining the ease-of-fit benefits that make PVC-U panels popular with installers.

Thermally, it performs just as well as many alternatives on the market. With U-values as low as 1.3w/m²K in large glazed formats – and even lower for solid panels.

Importantly, Hurst is offering full support to fabricators who wish to produce a PAS24 accredited doorset using the panel.

“We didn’t just test the panel on its own,” Mark says. “We tested it as part of a complete doorset – standard sash, standard outer – so fabricators can be confident that if they follow our model, they can achieve full PAS24 compliance too.”

For installers, it opens up a powerful new proposition. “It’s a fit-and-forget product with a premium security message,” adds Mark. “That’s a big win when you’re competing in the replacement or new-build markets.”

Securicore™ isn’t just a product upgrade – it’s a repositioning of the entire PVC-U panel category. It challenges outdated perceptions, addresses current and future compliance requirements, and gives Hurst customers the tools to compete across a wider range of applications – from social housing to higher-end private builds.

“This is a genuine industry first,” concludes Mark. “There’s nothing else quite like it on the market – and for our customers, it’s a real chance to lead from the front.”