Steel vs. Fiberglass Doors Which is Right for You?/h1>
The front door plays an immense role on the first impression people get when they walk to your doorstep.

It portrays your personal style and what people should expect when they enter your house. The front door must be firm enough to resist scorching sun, strong wind, rain and potential intruders. Plus, did you know that the front door has a great significance on the value of your home? Replacing your old front door with an energy efficient door adds to the value of your home. Wood, fiberglass and steel doors are the three most common. Nowadays, most people prefer steel or fiberglass doors because they are energy efficient.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: Somerset Hills Doors

Fiberglass Doors

Home experts recommend fiberglass doors for homes situated in harsh and humid climates. These are low maintenance doors which could last for years. The biggest advantage of these doors is that they are strong and resemble real wood. Fiberglass doors can be stained to resemble the grain of wood such oak, walnut, cherry, or mahogany.

A new technology known as Accugrain has enabled experts to replicate the grain of any wood type. These doors are relatively expensive; a 3foot wide, 6 foot and 8 foot tall paneled door could cost you $200. A fully loaded fiberglass door could set you back $4,000, but this could save you half the cost of a real oak or mahogany door.

Photo credit: ntm1909

These doors don’t warp or rust in cold and humid conditions and may never need maintenance. They are more secure when compared to wood doors. For example, if someone tries to kick the door or punch through with a sharp object, the surface will not dent. When it comes to energy efficiency, fiberglass may be a better option. These doors respond well to humidity and temperature change, plus, they prevent condensation.

Steel Doors

If durability and security are your top priorities while selecting an entry door, a steel door is the perfect choice. This door is the strongest when compared to wood and fiberglass doors. A steel door does not warp or dent easily; any mark or dent on the door can be repaired easily.

This door is the cheapest when compared to wood and fiberglass. A 3 foot wide, 6 foot, 8 foot tall door costs $150 while the same size of fiberglass door goes for $200. However, a steel door system with extra hardware and sidelights could cost as much as a wood door. The inner frame of a typical steel door is made of wood though you can use steel if you want to make it stronger.

Premium steel doors have a steel frame and a 24 gauge skin. Traditional steel doors had a gray industrial look. This has changed over the years. Normal steel doors feature a smooth surface or resemble a real wood finish. The polyester finish on most steel doors wears off with time and may need occasional repainting. Premium steel doors have a vinyl coating which can weather harsh climatic conditions such as scorching sun and rain.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Photo credit: Queen Anne style

Depending on your budget, you could choose a steel door which has wood fiber coating, or the laminated wood veneer which is the most expensive. Most modern doors are pre-hung which means that the door hangs on hinges on a new frame. Pre hung doors are a good option when you want to replace the old frame or enlarge the opening. Steel doors come with fixed hinges or pre-drilled holes for the hinges. You can opt for the extra pre-drilled hole which allows you to make minor adjustments when hanging the door. If you opt for a steel door with the wood finish, ensure that the wood grains run horizontally on the rails and vertically on the stiles.

 

Steel vs. Fiberglass Doors Which is Right for You? was last modified: October 18th, 2018 by Ivana