What Are the Benefits of Different Exterior Door Materials?

Are you interested in purchasing a new exterior door for the front or back of your home? You’ll find options in a wide variety of materials. Your selection of material will really depend on your needs, the budget you’re working with and your aesthetic preferences.

Here is a quick overview of the most commonly used types of materials for exterior doors and what you should know about them. Contact your trusted exterior door supplier in Glenwood Springs, CO for more information.

Wood

Wood will always be a popular, classic selection for exterior doors. It provides a highly attractive and luxurious appearance, and can be customized with different types of finishes or paints.

Wood is more expensive than many other types of exterior doors, especially if you purchase one that is solid wood. They will last for decades, and are heavy, highly secure and quite resistant to wear and damage. You can expect some nicks and scrapes over time, but through sanding and refinishing on a periodic basis, you’ll be able to repair the damage rather easily. Keep in mind that wood does need to be refinished or repainted from time to time if it’s to maintain its good looks.

Fiberglass

Perhaps the second-most commonly used material for exterior doors, fiberglass has minimal maintenance requirements and outstanding energy efficiency, as it is filled with insulating material. The technology for fiberglass design has come a long way over the years. Nowadays, you can purchase fiberglass doors that very closely resemble wood, while still getting outstanding resistance to general wear and tear and to the elements—even better than what you’d get from wood or other materials.

If you decide to go with a fiberglass door, just make sure you get one that’s of good quality. If you cheap out on a bargain-barrel fiberglass door, you may experience cracking in cold weather. Higher-quality doors can still crack if they’re impacted hard enough, but they’ll have no problem withstanding extreme temperatures.

Steel

Last but not least, the third of the trio of most common exterior door materials is steel. Steel is largely popular due to its inexpensive nature. If you’re working on a tight budget, steel is going to be a good bet.

Steel has outstanding energy efficiency, and provides a strong, secure entryway to your home. Most steel doors will have few maintenance requirements, if any, though if the door gets scratched, you’ll need to make sure you paint it to prevent moisture from getting underneath the surface and developing rust. Steel also does not crack or warp over time like other materials might. However, it is more easily dented, and can be difficult to repair when damaged, especially when compared to wood, which is highly repairable.

Interested in learning more about the various options that exist on the market for exterior doors? Architectural Windows & Doors, Inc. is an exterior door supplier in Glenwood Springs, CO, and we can answer any questions you have. We will be happy to help you find the perfect type of exterior door for your needs.

Categorised in: Exterior Doors