How to Choose a Front Door: Steel vs. Wood vs. Fiberglass

The front door is the entrance to your castle. It not only needs to look appealing to your guests, but also be sturdy enough to prevent intruders from entering your home. Therefore, you need a door that fulfills both purposes. Depending on your situation, the type of door you choose will vary. The standard options available are steel, wood, and fiberglass doors.

What are the advantages of steel, wood, and fiberglass doors? Steel doors are typically the cheapest, most secure, and low-maintenance doors. Wood doors are the easiest to repair and the most fashionable. Fiberglass doors generally offer the best insulation and resist weather and wear influences.

To summarize, all these doors have their unique advantages and each has a place in different situations. However, to determine which door is best for you, we need to take a closer look at each door, including their respective pros and cons.

What to consider in a front door

As mentioned earlier, your front door is not only the first impression for your guests, but also for any intruder who wants to enter your home. They are also a barrier between the livable spaces of your home and the elements of the outside world. Therefore, the features to consider in a front door are insulation, durability, maintenance, cost, and style.

Insulation

Insulation refers to the ability of a door to contain and block temperatures inside and outside of your home. Doors achieve this through the properties of their respective materials, such as absorption and density.

Most homeowners in hot climate areas are looking for doors that can keep the intense heat outside their homes and the cool air, usually from the air conditioning, inside. On the other hand, homeowners in colder regions want to keep the warm air inside and the cold wind outside.

Durability

Durability refers to the ability of a door to withstand damages such as wear and tear, but most importantly, the ability to withstand the elements like heat, cold, moisture, etc. with as little damage as possible.

Another critical factor that we will consider is how easy it is to break open a door, as this aspect is essential when it comes to preventing or discouraging break-ins.

Maintenance

Maintenance refers to the frequency at which a door needs to be repaired or maintained, as well as how easy it is to perform. It includes tasks such as repainting, component replacement, cleaning, etc.

Maintenance is mainly required due to damage caused by the elements. However, it also includes preventive maintenance to keep your door in good condition and avoid additional costs, ensuring it lasts as long as possible.

Cost

The costs and how they affect your budget may be one of the most important factors to consider. It not only refers to the initial price you have to pay for purchasing your door, but also pertains to long-term fees from owning the door (such as maintenance, repairs, etc.) and whether the cost of the door is justified.

Style

The style may be the most difficult aspect to evaluate due to its subjective nature, as it heavily depends on the situation and the user’s preferences. However, we will consider some objective criteria, such as a variety of customization options, including colors, and how well they can replicate a wooden texture, as all three doors seem to mainly focus on this style.

After outlining the elements we will be looking for in each door to evaluate, compare, and contrast them, let us now proceed to how each individual entry goes about meeting them.

Steel Doors

Steel doors are typically the most commonly available doors on the market. They are typically used in commercial applications. However, they are also seen in modern-style homes and more recently in tiny home designs.

Insulation

When it comes to insulation, most steel doors usually do a good job of keeping the air separated from the inside and outside. However, some steel doors can feel incredibly hot in high temperatures and may potentially heat up the area around them.

Durability

Doors are most durable and possibly least durable, and although this sounds ironic, it has two main reasons. The reason why steel may not be the most durable type of door is that they are very vulnerable to damage from the elements, especially moisture. Dents and rust can prove to be fatal for your steel door if not properly treated.

On the other hand, steel doors are the most durable when it comes to home invasions. Sure, the outer layer can easily become dented and compromised due to the elements. However, if the goal is to pass through them completely, you may need something stronger, as this door does not break easily.

Maintenance

Steel doors require some form of maintenance, specifically to prevent rust. To prevent rust, make sure your steel door does not get wet when using a hose and keep it dry. Additionally, scratches can potentially cause rust, so they may need to be repainted. Dents are the only other maintenance concern, but they are incredibly difficult or even impossible to repair.

Cost

Steel doors are typically the cheapest doors available on the market. However, when it comes to the cost of owning a steel door, be prepared to spend money on paint to prevent rust, and if you have a dent in a door, you may need to buy a completely new door.

Style

When it comes to style, steel doors tend to be very boring and neutral, unless they are embossed with a wood grain-like pattern to make them look like wood. They can also be painted in different colors. However, a different type of paint may be required compared to wooden doors.

Wooden Doors

Wooden doors are the oldest and most traditional type of entrance in residential homes. They are generally what comes to mind when one thinks of a door. Wooden doors have a unique warmth and tactile feel, which makes them the preferred choice for many people.

Insulation

When it comes to insulation, wooden doors may be the worst at keeping the air out of your home and separated from the outside. And not only that, very high temperatures can cause your wooden door to split and/or crack.

Durability

Wooden doors may be the most susceptible since, as mentioned earlier, they can be heavily damaged by high temperatures. They are also prone to damage from moisture. What’s even worse is that a wooden door can be relatively easily destroyed by an intruder. However, wooden doors have a redeeming factor for their lack of durability.

Maintenance

Wooden doors are the easiest to repair as they are made up of different parts that are made from the soft and versatile material of wood. They can be easily repainted and can withstand wear and tear quite well. However, they need to be constantly repainted and coated to ensure they reach their highest potential over the years.

Cost

Wooden doors are typically the most expensive. However, the costs of owning one can vary depending on your situation. With proper care, they are very affordable to maintain. However, wooden doors are delicate. If they are seriously damaged, buying a replacement can be costly.

Style

Wooden doors are the most versatile and possibly the most beautiful, as they possess the warm and inviting wood texture that most doors strive to achieve. They are very easy to paint with a variety of colors; this is undoubtedly the main factor that justifies their price.

Fiberglass Doors

Fiber glass doors are the latest addition to the door market. They are typically a good choice for custom applications, as they are available in a variety of shapes and sizes and can be customized as needed.

Insulation

Insulation

When it comes to insulation, fiber glass doors may be best suited to separate the air inside and outside your home. This is due to their non-porous and non-absorbent material and the fact that the interior is filled with insulation foam.

Durability

Fiberglass doors can withstand all temperatures without damage. They can withstand wear reasonably well and do not dent. Their foam core protects them from moisture absorption and subsequent damage.

They can, however, tear upon impact, which does not make them ideal when it comes to preventing break-ins.</p

Maintenance

Fiberglass requires very little maintenance or maybe none at all. They have a fairly long lifespan as not much can happen to them besides heavy impacts. However, if your fiberglass does tear, repairing it will be difficult if you want to give the impression that the damage never occurred. Perhaps purchasing another door is necessary.

Costs

Fiberglass doors can be moderately expensive to purchase. However, the true highlight lies in the cost of owning such a door. Since a fiberglass door requires little to no maintenance, the only money that may be spent after purchase might be to repaint it in a different color if desired.

Style

Glassfiber doors can either be plain or designed to mimic the texture of a wood grain pattern. They can be painted in a variety of colors.

Now that we have thoroughly dissected the pros and cons of each door, let’s take this information and compare and contrast each door type with one another. We will compare two at a time to go into further detail.

Wood vs. Steel

  

Insulation– In terms of insulation, steel seems to be the clear winner as its material is non-porous and less absorbent than wood, additionally, wooden doors can break and even shatter in high temperatures.

  

Durability– A steel door is ideal for dealing with home invasions as they are practically impossible to break without the use of heavy equipment. However, wooden doors are more resistant when it comes to wear and tear as steel doors can bend and a scratch can cause rust, which could be fatal for the steel door. Steel doors fare slightly better against the elements.

Maintenance – Wood seems to be the better option due to its relatively easy and cost-effective repair and maintenance, although it requires regular preventive maintenance. On the other hand, steel doors need constant moisture checks, repainting, and are difficult to repair in case of a dent.

Cost – Steel is better for your wallet as long as it is properly maintained. The average purchase price of a steel door is significantly lower than that of a wooden door. However, a steel door is more susceptible to damage, which could force you to buy a new one.

Style – Wood is the winner as it offers a greater selection of readily available paint colors and has the original wooden-door look that some steel doors strive for, and is much better than the plain style of other steel doors.

Steel vs. Fiberglass

Insulation – When it comes to insulation, fiberglass and steel are generally equally capable of separating the air from inside and outside. However, fiberglass would win over steel due to the simple fact that fiberglass doors do not absorb high temperatures as much as steel does.

    

Durability – When it comes to strength, it really depends on the material. Fiberglass can definitely withstand the elements and wear much better than steel. In fact, fiberglass is almost unaffected by the elements, with moisture being the main concern. However, a steel door is much more resistant when it comes to home break-ins. A fiberglass door can easily break, while a steel door is almost impenetrable.

    

Maintenance – In this department, a fiberglass door usually has the upper hand over steel, as it requires little to no maintenance. On the other hand, steel doors need to be constantly repainted and inspected for signs of rust.

Cost – Steel doors are cheaper to purchase than fiberglass doors. However, the long-term cost of ownership for fiberglass doors is lower. They require much less maintenance than a steel door and have a fairly long lifespan.

Style – In terms of style, steel and fiberglass doors are more or less similar as they both try to imitate the color and texture of a wooden door. However, some steel doors prefer a plain design, which often makes them less attractive.

Fiberglass vs. Wood

Insulation – In this aspect, a fiberglass door is better as it is not as porous and does not absorb as much temperature as a wooden door; this is due to the foam interior of the fiberglass doors.

Durability– A fiberglass door gains strength as it is essentially immune to weather influences and wear and tear. In contrast, a wooden door is so susceptible to weather that high temperatures could crack it. However, there is no clear winner in terms of resistance to home invasions as both are equally destructible.

Maintenance– When it comes to maintenance, fiberglass is better as it requires little to no maintenance. On the other hand, a wooden door needs to be repaired not only for wear and weather damage but also as a protective measure and to extend its lifespan, requiring new painting and staining almost annually.

Cost – In terms of price, fiberglass is once again the winner as it tends to be cheaper on average than wooden doors. Additionally, the costs of owning a fiberglass door are basically non-existent as they don’t require as much maintenance as a wooden door.

Style – When it comes to style, wooden doors are better simply because they have the original wooden door look that most fiberglass doors try to emulate. Both types can be easily painted in a variety of colors.

Summary

In summary, it can be said that glass fiber and steel insulate better than wood in the house. However, steel can feel too hot or too cold under extreme conditions. When it comes to durability, glass fiber is the most resistant to weather and wear. However, steel is best suited to resist home invasions.

In terms of maintenance, glass fiber doors require little to no maintenance, but serious damage could be much too difficult to repair. Wooden doors are the easiest and cheapest to repair, but they need annual maintenance to stay in shape, and steel doors require the most maintenance as they are particularly prone to rusting and denting.

When it comes to price, wooden doors are the most expensive to buy, while steel doors are the cheapest. In the long run, owning a fiberglass door would be the most economical if properly maintained. And finally, when it comes to style, wooden doors tend to be the winners as they have the original wooden door look that steel and fiberglass doors try to imitate.

Now that we have outlined and compared the qualities of each door, let’s now consider how these results can be applied to real needs and situations so that you can decide which door is best suited for you. This will make many assumptions about your situation, but you may be able to apply your situation better than anyone else.

How to choose a door depending on your situation

The situations we will try to provide an example of how insulation, durability, maintenance, price, and style can be translated into real life and which door is best suited for each situation.

Based on your location

• If you live in an area that is too hot or too cold, a fiberglass door would be the best option for you due to its superior insulation and unlike steel doors, they will neither be too cold nor too hot.

If you live in an area where it constantly rains or is very humid, or has high temperatures, then a fiberglass door is the best choice for you as it won’t suffer from moisture damage and won’t crack like wood. However, if you live in an area where break-ins are likely, then a steel door is ideal for defending your home.

In a similar fashion, if you live in an area that has a lot of moisture and high temperatures, a fiberglass door will save you a lot of maintenance as it is wear-resistant, and they require little to no preventative maintenance.

Based on price

If it’s about the price, the amount you’re willing to spend may depend on how much damage you expect your door to suffer over time. A steel door is right if you expect a home break-in that could heavily damage it, and you can easily replace it since steel doors are the cheapest of the three types. However, if you don’t expect your door to be exposed to strong impacts, a fiberglass door is much more cost-effective in the long run. But ultimately, that’s up to your wallet.

Based on style

If your focus is on style, then a wooden door is definitely the right choice for you. Wooden doors have the original wooden door look that steel and fiberglass doors try to replicate. Additionally, wooden doors can last for many years if properly maintained.

Other things to consider with front doors

Note: All the information and conclusions about steel, wood, and fiberglass doors mentioned above were created only considering the material of the door panel and without considering other additional factors such as the locking mechanism, hinges, and glass panels:

When it comes to home burglaries, it is essential to consider the locking mechanism as it is usually the first part of the door to be compromised, regardless of the door material. So, if you choose a steel door for security reasons, make sure you get a lock that is as strong as or nearly as strong as the door itself.

Hinges are also a component that could be easily damaged under enough pressure or with specialized tools. So make sure they are not only strong enough to protect your house but also strong enough to hold the weight of your door for many years.

If you are planning to buy glass panes for your door, they can also become a very attractive access point for burglars to go through or to use their arms to unlock the door from the inside. Additionally, glass panes reduce the insulation ability of a door, so keep that in mind if your goal is insulation.

Another thing to consider when it comes to insulation is getting a door that fits perfectly and covers the gaps between the door frame and the panel, so no air is allowed in or out of the house.

These are some of the things to consider when buying and installing a new front door. This information applies to steel, wood, and fiberglass doors alike.

Conclusion

In conclusion, there are three main types of front door materials to choose from: steel, wood, and fiberglass. Some things to consider to qualify the pros and cons of each door are insulation, durability, maintenance, price, and style.

Fiberglass and steel doors provide the best insulation. However, in extreme temperatures, steel doors can feel too cold or too hot. Fiberglass doors are the best at handling wear and tear and elemental damage, while steel doors are the most resistant to significant impacts, such as in the case of home invasions.

Fiberglass doors require little to no maintenance, giving them a fairly long lifespan. Wood doors require annual preventive maintenance and are relatively inexpensive to repair. However, steel doors require the most maintenance.

When it comes to price, steel doors are the most affordable to buy, while wooden doors are the most expensive. However, fiberglass doors are less costly in the long run due to their low maintenance needs. Wooden doors are the clear winner in terms of style, as the other doors try to mimic the look of wooden doors.

There are some other door features to consider, such as lock mechanisms, hinges, and glass panels, which can alter the performance of each of these doors in relation to each of the aforementioned criteria. They should be chosen based on your situation and what you want to get out of your door.

Each door has a place for every different situation. You can assess your situation primarily based on security, environment, and most importantly, budget. Hopefully, this article has helped you make the best decision when choosing the material for your front door.

References:

• https://www.fixr.com/comparisons/fiberglass-vs-steel-entry-door#cQ
• https://homeguides.sfgate.com/steel-vs-wood-front-doors-homes-91114.html
• https://www.consumerreports.org/cro/entry-doors/buying-guide/index.htm
• https://learn.reeb.com/knowledge-base/Holz-vs-Glasfaser-vs-Stahl/
• https://www.thebalancesmb.com/should-i-choose-fiberglass-doors-over-wood-doors-844560

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