What Material Is Best for Exterior Doors?
Exterior doors are designed to last for decades, and during those years they get a lot of use. But have you ever thought about how much wear and tear they have to withstand? If you pass through an entry door an average of five times a day, over the course of 30 years that adds up to 54,750 openings and closings, and let’s face it, not all of those transits are going to be gentle. How many times have you returned from the supermarket with an armful of groceries and kicked the door closed behind you? Add to that temperature extremes, rain, windblown objects, and Fido’s claws when he needs to go out, out, out!, and it’s little wonder exterior doors have to be made of something that can take the abuse and look great doing it. But what material is best for exterior doors? There are more options than ever. Let’s take a look at some of the most popular.
Wood
The old standby is still one of the most popular choices for door material. The handsome appearance of real woodgrain has an appeal like no other and can be stained to match or complement your home’s exterior. Wood doors are also easy to customize with decorative glass options. They are, however, suspectable to warping over time. This is especially true in regions prone to high humidity levels and frequent rains. They also require periodic maintenance such as re-staining to keep them looking good. And doors made of durable woods like mahogany and cedar can be more expensive than other options.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass doors have steadily gained in popularity since their introduction, and for good reason. Fiberglass can be stained to realistically mimic the look of wood, but unlike wood, it’s not suspectable to warping or rotting. Fiberglass entry doors are exceptionally strong and resist dents and scratches. They can also have insulated cores which make them more energy efficient than wood doors. Cheaper fiberglass doors can crack if subjected to extreme cold and high impacts, however, so it’s important to choose a premium product. Higher-end fiberglass doors are comparable in cost to high-end wood doors.
Steel
Security is the name of the game when it comes to steel doors. A steel front entry door is a formidable deterrent to would-be intruders, especially if it also has a reinforced lock block. Steel doors are less expensive than fiberglass doors, but they can’t mimic the look of wood. They can, however, be painted to match your home’s exterior. Steel doors can be dented if subjected to enough force, and popping out the divot is not a realistic option. On the plus side, premium steel doors have insulation-filled inner chambers, making them very energy efficient. They’re also easy to maintain. Just be sure to paint any scratches to prevent rust.
Vinyl
Vinyl is the material of choice for patio doors. It’s durable, virtually maintenance free, and energy efficient. It’s also impervious to insect and moisture damage, as well as rot. Vinyl doors are less expensive than wood doors, but color options are usually limited to two or three popular options. Because of their light weight, vinyl doors are easy to operate, something to consider if you have young children or elderly members of your household. PVC doors can be damaged by prolonged exposure to the sun, so it’s important to purchase doors made of unplasticized polyvinyl chloride (UPVC), which can withstand the effects of UV light much better.
Your Source for Premium Exterior Doors
If you’re ready to update your home with new exterior doors, the company to turn to in the Tampa Bay area is The Window Depot. We offer a wide selection of front and patio doors from some of the most respected manufactures in the nation, including Plastpro, Therma-Tru, ProVia, PGT, and Simonton. Reach out to us today to schedule a no-obligation consultation with one of our representatives. You can also visit our beautiful showroom in Palm Harbor, FL, to see our doors firsthand. What’s more, our experienced technicians can replace your old doors in just one day!
