Exterior Doors

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There are many reasons why someone might consider replacing their front entry door as well as all other exterior door types in their homes.
 

Exterior Door Styles

· Entry/Front Doors

· Dutch Doors

· Sliding/Gliding Patio Doors

· XOXO Doors

· Patio Doors

· Bi-Fold Doors

· Multi-Slide Doors

· Lift & Slide Doors

· French Doors

· French-Style Sliding/Gliding Doors

· In-Swing French Doors

· Out-Swing French Doors

· Pocket Glass Wall Doors

· Commercial Doors

· Fire Doors

· Metal Louver Doors & Door Lites

· Security Screen Doors

· Wood Screen Doors

· Wrought Iron Doors

· Pet Doors

· Custom Doors

Replacing a front door can pay for itself by increasing the value of the home and sometimes tax credits may be available for choosing an energy efficient door!
But, how does a person know which type of door material is right for them?  What are the pros and cons of each type of door material?  Let’s answer these questions and get you on the right track to choosing the best exterior door for your home.

In choosing your Exterior Door Options, selecting the best type of door material for your application is the first step when buying a new door.  Steel, Fiberglass and Wood Doors are typically used for Front/Entry Doors.

Steel Doors
For the do-it-yourself money savers, steel doors are king.  They come at relatively low cost and are slightly a stronger barrier against intruders compared to fiberglass and wood.  Still interested in saving money?  Great! Steel replacement doors have been proven to preserve the value of a home and return about 73% of the cost on average. 

The down fall to steel doors is that the typical lifespan of steel doors is a bit shorter and they are not as energy efficient because of how the outside temperature is absorbed through the steel making them hot or cold to the touch versus the wood or fiberglass doors.  Consumers in areas with salty air or heavy rains and humidity should probably stay clear of steel doors.  Also, steel did not hold up as well as fiberglass and wood in normal wear and tear tests performed by Consumer Reports.  Dents can occur with heavy use and are difficult to repair.

Fiberglass Doors
Looking like real wood, fiberglass doors come in many styles.  One of the main benefits of fiberglass doors is that they require little maintenance, which is a huge benefit compared to wood.  While no door is maintenance-free, fiberglass is as close as they come, and it lasts about twice as long as wood or steel.

In regard to weather changes and conditions, fiberglass holds its own.  It doesn’t expand or contract like wood does, and can go years without needing a paint touch-up.  Fiberglass doors can feel lighter in hand, but its coating is extremely durable and hard for an intruder to penetrate.  They are the perfect fit for high sun exposure and coastal areas with excess moisture and salt air.

Wood Doors
Wood is widely considered as the best choice for more high-end looks and locations.   It carries a luxurious appeal and its substantial weight can’t be reproduced well by steel or fiberglass.  If your ideal entryway is a classic, stunning, grandiose entryway, wood is definitely the best material choice for you.

While wood is typically the most expensive of the three options and requires the most maintenance, it is easier to repair scratches in wood than it is dents in steel or fiberglass. Wood doors need to be repainted, refinished, or re-stained about every year or two in order to prevent splitting, warping and weather damage.

In addition to the steel, fiberglass and wood frame materials available, Aluminum, Vinyl, Vinyl Clad and Aluminum Wood Clad are other exterior frame materials that are typically used for different types and styles of Patio Doors, French Doors, French Swinging Doors, Bi-Fold Doors, Sliding/Gliding Patio Doors and Commercial Doors.

After selecting the type of door material and style, you also have other exterior door options to choose from:  Interior and Exterior finishes, Hardware style and finish, Screens, Glass type, Divided-Lites and Casing to finish the Interior and Exterior frame of the door.

Energy Efficiency
Doors claiming to be energy efficient should carry the Energy Star seal.  This seal shows that the door meets governmental regulations that improve both the manufacturing process used to create the door, as well as the energy efficiency of the door itself when installed in a home.  The more care taken in getting to know the pros and cons of different types of materials, the better the choice you’ll make when selecting the right door for your home.