Entry door material types with pros and cons

        Entry door material types include wood, steel and fiberglass and are the three main materials used in manufacturing entry doors. By the end of this we hope to make you fully aware of the benefits as well as drawbacks of the three different types of doors. 

 

          Wood doors have a look like no other. When you see a wooden front door, there is something about them that is unmatched to any other. There are a variety of species that are used in crafting a wooden door which allows you to have multiple choices on the final product. Weight alone makes a wooden door feel solid and secure. They also offer a great deal of durability when properly maintained. Painting or staining are both great options for a wood door to give you the custom look you desire for your home. However, a wood door requires a lot of maintenance and upkeep. In order for a wood door to have a long life they need to be refinished quite often especially if there is no cover to protect them. Wood doors also swell and contract more than other materials which causes cracking of the door, possible wrapping and improper operation. Another disadvantage of a wood door is they tend to be very pricey for a good quality product.

 

          Steel is another option to choose for your door material. There are different gauge steel doors to choose from. Most big box stores will carry 24-26  gauge steel doors. Jamb Up primarily sells ProVia Legacy Steel doors which are 20 gauge steel doors with steel edges. The lower the number the thicker the steel. Steel doors are great when it comes to security. They are the most secure option out of all the residential door options. Steel also offers exceptional durability compared to other options. These doors can withstand weather conditions helping eliminate wrapping, rotting and swelling. Steel doors are often times less expensive than other door options. Steel doors also have disadvantages. Although there are lots of design options they are not as stylish as wood or fiberglass doors. Denting and scratching are also downsides to steel doors. This can also lead to difficult repairs in the event they are dented or scratched. Steel doors can also rust over time if not properly maintained. Lastly they can be difficult to add accessories to such as peepholes, kick plates or mailslots. 

             Fiberglass doors are a great option for your door replacement project. Fiberglass doors are the most energy efficient option. They also are low maintenance and will not swell, expand, contract or rot. Fiberglass doors are also very stylish and can give you a wood door look with much more durability. They also will not dent, scratch or rust like steel doors can. Cost often times are less than wood options which can help when choosing a nice stylish entry door. There are drawbacks with Fiberglass also. One being they can’t match the strength and security of steel doors.  While they are typically less expensive than oak and mahogany wood doors they do tend to be on average more expensive than steel door options. Another thing to consider is they have a slightly less resale value over steel. This is something to consider if you are looking at selling your home soon after your door replacement. Finally fiberglass skins can crack if the door is impacted hard enough.  

 

         
       
           All of these options have pros and cons but hopefully you have a better understanding of what the benefits and disadvantages are between them. This info should help you make a decision to choose the best option that works for you and your home. If you are still unsure or have any questions feel free to contact us to help you decide what will work best for you. 

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