Door Materials to Consider

A well-made door, properly installed, can drastically improve energy efficiency in a home. There are a number of options to consider when choosing exterior doors for the home.

Wood doors. Wood doors are traditional and have several advantages. They have a lot of visual appeal, are good at suppressing outside noise, and can be trimmed to fit any existing door frame. They will not rust and are available in any number of interesting designs. However, wood doors are heavy and tend to sag over time. They are also prone to warping, and they require periodic maintenance in order to maintain their beauty and functionality. If you choose a wood door, make sure you specify a solid wood or solid core door.

Steel doors. Insulated steel doors are filled with polyurethane foam and can have up to an R-15 rating. They are inexpensive and easy to maintain. They also are superior in providing security for the home. One of the disadvantages is that they cannot be trimmed to fit, and a door frame must be perfectly plumb for the door to be properly installed.

Fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors are gaining rapidly in popularity. They can have the look and feel of a wood door, come in many different designs, and are easy to paint or stain. The insulation performance of a fiberglass door can be up to four times greater than that of a wood door, and they do not crack, warp, or rot over time.