
What Is the Best Material for Exterior Doors?
Best Doors in Houston
If the time has come to replace or install new exterior doors for your home, choosing the best material for the front door is likely the first step. You don’t want a door that's hard to open or close, is likely to get dented or scratched, or that allows cold air, hot air or moisture to get inside.
Best Material for a Front Door
According to the writers for Consumer Reports, fiberglass and steel doors provide better insulation than wood doors. If they're Energy-Star certified, it's even better because they may have double and triple-paneled glass, energy-efficient cores, and tight-fitting frames. Some homeowners prefer the look of wood, but it may not be the best type of exterior door for everyone.
Fiberglass is made from a composite material that can be customized for most homes. Easy to care for and durable, it won't dent or chip like wood doors. These doors are made with energy-efficient, insulating foam. However, they usually cost more than wood doors.
Wood doors typically have more style and character than fiberglass doors, and, in most cases, they are easy to repair. Moreover, they usually don't show dents and scratches as readily as other materials. Solid hardwoods are the most energy-efficient, but not as much as fiberglass. Wood doors are also more susceptible to warping and cracking, so be sure to maintain them properly.
Fiberglass vs. Steel Doors
Fiberglass or steel doors are a better choice for many homeowners than wood doors. The experts at My Coastal Windows explain that doors get kicked, slammed, and are exposed to significant temperature changes over time. and some materials are more durable and last longer than others. You’re likely to mitigate many of these issues with a fiberglass or steel entry door. Like fiberglass, steel doors are more energy-efficient than wood.
The downside of steel doors is that they are more likely to become dented and scratched than fiberglass or wood. They also can get hot or cold to the touch, depending on the outside temperature. Most homeowners paint these types of doors a light color to prevent them from absorbing excessive heat.
Some Other Considerations
Cost is always an important factor when building and renovating. Custom products always are more expensive, but here are some price estimates for prefabricated wood, fiberglass, and steel exterior doors as of spring 2021. Starting at the high end, new wood doors can cost from $2,500 to $4,000, depending on the type of wood and finish chosen. Wood doors are not as energy-efficient as alternative materials but are considered the most aesthetically pleasing.
Well-made fiberglass doors are priced from $1,200 to $2,500. Quality is important, since cheaply made doors may crack when the weather gets too cold. They come in many different styles, some even with wood-like finishes. Fiberglass is a newer type of door material than wood or steel, and it's lauded for its energy efficiency.
Steel doors are the least expensive, from about $700 to $2,000 installed. Although they might not be as aesthetically pleasing, they can work on rustic homes, freestanding garages, storage sheds and commercial buildings. Comparing fiberglass vs. steel strength, steel is the winner, so keep that in mind when choosing the best material for exterior doors.
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