Your front entrance door is more than just where you enter and exit your home. As one of the main focal points of the exterior of your home it sets the tone for your home’s ambiance. Your door withstands anything mother nature throws at it, wind, rain, dust, and it is also a key piece of your home’s security keeping potential intruders out. With so many options for your replacement doors, how do you choose which materials are best for your home?
- Wood Doors
Traditionally your entry door was made out of wood. This option is highly customizable as you can cut a door to fit any size entry way. With a wide range of hard wood options and styles to choose from, it is no surprise that wooden entry doors are still the first choice for many home owners. A hardwood door can easily enhance the look of your home no matter if you use a clear varnish to let the natural beauty of the wood take center stage or if you paint it to suit your design style. The down side of a wood door is that over time the wood can warp or peel over time, especially if your home is set in a way where the door is constantly battling the elements. All wood doors will require regular maintenance including repainting or refinishing.
- Steel Doors
Today’s popular choice for entry doors is the insulated steel door as it is one of the most energy efficient doors available, they are also very reliable and sturdy. Steel doors are less expensive than wood doors but yet are available in a variety of styles and can be painted in any colour you choose. Their insulation rating is up to 5 times higher than wood doors helping you save money on your energy bills. There is little maintenance required with steel doors, a quick power wash a few times a year will keep them looking fresh and vibrant. Steel doors are susceptible to dents and rust and will require the periodic repainting. If you have an off-size entry way you may need to look into having a custom steel door made, which will increase both cost and time as the door needs to be specially built.
- Fiberglass Doors
If you are looking at a higher-end product, you may look for a fiberglass entry way door. These doors are made of composite material and are very durable, secure, and are more energy efficient than a wood door. Fiberglass doors look beautiful as they imitate the finish of wooden doors and can be painted or stained in a variety of colours without the potential of warping like wood doors. There is very little maintenance required with a fiberglass door. The price of a fiberglass door is much higher than a steel entry door, and is similar in price to that of a higher-end solid wood door.
When looking at replacement doors, the right door for you will depend on several factors, what is the look and style you are looking to achieve, is the door fully exposed to the elements or is it covered, is security is concern, your budget, and how much effort are you willing to put towards the doors upkeep. One thing is for sure, no matter what material you choose for your new entry door, your new door will make a great first impression for years to come.