Are you unable to decide what type of front door material is the perfect choice for your home? If so, you’re not alone! When it comes to buying an exterior door, it’s not easy to find a product that looks incredible, as well as offers durability, safety, and affordability. As far as style and design are concerned, it depends on your personal taste. However, besides aesthetic appeal, there are several other factors also that need to be considered while making a sound purchase decision. Maintenance, visual appeal, durability, security, and insulation are some aspects that should be kept in mind when purchasing an exterior door and choosing its material.
The entry door is more than just the front door of your home. It is a visual element that commands the most attention from the street. Also, it is this door that deters burglaries and home invasions. So, exterior doors play a significant role in welcoming guests and keeping the elements and unwanted visitors out. As such, whether you buy at a store or online, it’s crucial to do some research to make the right choice. The front entry doors typically come pre-hung in a frame and are pre-drilled for a knob and deadbolt. Unless you’re undertaking a remodeling project, it’s best to get the new door of the same size as the old one. This will prevent you from redoing the framing around the door.
When it comes to replacing your front door, the most important decision to make is the material choice. There are a variety of options and you’ll have to decide which material best suits your needs, your preference, your style, and your budget. Before you choose what exterior door to install in your new home, it’s better to weigh all the available options. In this post, we’ll take a look at the most popular front door materials and discuss their pros and cons to help you decide which material is right for you. Wood, fiberglass, vinyl, steel, and aluminum are the most selling door materials. Check out the basics of each of the options before shopping for your next entry door.
Wood
Wooden exterior doors are the most popular choice of homeowners because they can be customized to your size, shape, and style preferences. Wood also gives a classic and elegant look and is available in many types to choose from, such as pine, fir, oak, mahogany, and maple. This material offers the freedom to choose from a variety of finishes and paint colors to match your decor. It is also easy to cut the wood into any size or shape to fit the entryway. This material has an option to personalize your door with decorative glass accents, transoms, or sidelights. Wooden doors are also least likely to dent, and scratches. However, the downside of wood front doors is that the wood can sag, warp, and peel over time that can impact the door’s air-sealing capabilities and appearance. It is a well-known fact that wood requires periodic maintenance in the form of repainting or refinishing to look their best. Moreover, wooden exterior doors are also relatively expensive and high-maintenance than other materials.
Fiberglass
If you live in a harsh or humid climate, a fiberglass door can be the right choice for your home. This material is known for mimicking the look of solid wood and is typically made with hardwood stiles and rails that support handles and locksets. Fiberglass doors are resistant to warping and bowing, while exterior sheathing is resistant to impact damage. The framework voids are filled with foam insulation to prevent heat loss through the door. These doors are available in a variety of styles and textures like smooth surfaces or embossed wood-grain texture. This material is a popular choice because it’s possible to paint or stain these doors with a faux wood grain finish to resemble oak, cherry, walnut, or other wood of your choice. Fiberglass doors are a great option if you’re looking for an attractive and low-maintenance door. One of the few drawbacks of this material is that low-quality fiberglass doors can crack in cold weather or under severe impact.
Steel
The steel front doors are one of the safest options in terms of intrusions. Insulated steel offers several benefits such as energy efficiency, security, and durability. These doors have insulated foam with a steel panel on either side to prevent cool winds from creeping into your home. As compared to wood, steel doors provide a higher insulating value and superior security while requiring little maintenance. Also, unlike the expensive wood and fiberglass doors, steel is relatively inexpensive. At an economical price, these doors offer weather resistance and high-level security. They come in different styles and can be painted in any color. Although steel is safe from warping, these doors are prone to denting, scratching, and rusting. In fact, dents on steel are hard to fix, and scratches may rust if they aren’t painted. As a result, you may need to replace the entire steel entry door.
Vinyl
Vinyl is one of the most lowest-priced options available in the market. The vinyl doors are available in different styles like swing, slide or fold. Vinyl is an extremely durable material that can withstand the test of time. These thermal resistant doors offer energy-efficiency. These doors can keep your home cool in summers and warm in winters because the inside of the frame has thermal blocks that trap heat to maintain optimal home temperature. This material is also easy on your budget and requires little maintenance. But it’s noteworthy that you may not find several color and style options in this material.
Aluminum
If you want to install a low-maintenance exterior door, an aluminum door might be the right option for your home. Similar to fiberglass and steel doors, aluminum doors also come with a wood frame with insulation filling the voids. Aluminum is not usually used in residential projects and is exclusively manufactured. When you get an aluminum door, you don’t need to worry about rusting or re-painting. These doors offer a sleek, modern look and can be painted for a better visual appeal. On the downside, aluminum doors can dent easily and do not come cheap. Buying a custom-built aluminum door can be quite expensive.