An awesome entry door is one of the best ways to make a solid first impression on your guests. Entry doors are available in every size, shape, and colour, but most are made from three materials: wood, steel, and fibreglass.
To help you pick out the perfect entry door for your home, here’s a rundown of the good and bad features of each material.
With the biggest array of design choices, picking the perfect wooden door for your home is no issue. The great thing about wooden doors is that they suit basically any home, no matter how traditional or modern it is. Cost is not a problem with wooden doors either. With the number of choices available, you can definitely find one that suits your budget.
The issue with wood doors is that they can be high-maintenance, and proper maintenance is essential for a wooden door to last. Moisture and sunlight are the main factors that can damage your wood door, so it’s a good idea to protect the door from direct contact with the elements by using a porch or an overhang. To keep wood doors in tip-top shape, they would have to be refinished and sealed on a regular basis.
For the budget-conscious, a steel door is definitely a great choice. Aside from being less pricey upfront, they also require very minimal maintenance. Keeping it rust-free, smoothing out a couple of dents and scratches, and giving it a quick lick of paint every couple of years is all you need to do to keep it in great condition. For optimum energy efficiency, it’s best to go for steel doors filled with spray-polyurethane foam since this material fills all air gaps inside the door.
In terms of looks, ordinary steel doors would probably look better on contemporary homes. However, there are some steel door manufacturers who can create unique designs to fit your home.
If you want to replicate the look of a classic wooden door without having to deal with the level of maintenance that real wood needs, then a fibreglass door is a good option for you. Like steel doors, fibreglass doors are insulated, so they are also pretty energy efficient. The cost of fibreglass doors can depend on the complexity of its design. Simple, smooth doors are definitely much cheaper than those that are made to look like real wood.
Fiberglass doors can last for several years with very little maintenance. It will just have to be stained every two years or so to keep it looking great. If you pick a fibreglass door with a UV-resistant coating that prevents fading, you can even space your maintenance routine further apart.
If you need more assistance in choosing and installing an entry door, don’t hesitate to call an expert for help. Get quotes from professional door installers now.