What Kind of Exterior Door Material is Best?

It’s the focal point of your home’s exterior and a symbol of warm welcomes to come. What is it? Your exterior door! Designed as functional works of art, these entrances impact the overall curb appeal and security of your residence—making them some of the most important elements of your home. If you’ve recently concluded that your exterior doors are not living up to the hype, starting the hunt for the perfect replacements could be in your best interest. As you begin this search, however, you’ll quickly come to realize that there’s an absurd variety of exterior doors on the market—leaving you with the question: What is the best type of exterior door?

Thankfully, we’ve narrowed down the best types of exterior doors for you—using material as the biggest variable. Read on for some comparisons that are sure to help you confidently choose the best new exterior doors for your home and needs.

What Is the Best Material for Exterior Doors?

When it comes to finding the best exterior doors for your home, comparing materials is one of the best things that you can do. The three most popular materials for exterior doors include wood, fiberglass, and steel—figuring out which one is best for your unique needs will depend on your preferences and budget. Here’s a closer look at the pros and cons of each of these exterior door materials:

Steel

Steel is a material that most homeowners tend to associate with strength and security. And most steel exterior doors live up to this expectation! They are also energy efficient and won’t crack or warp under constant outdoor exposure.

Steel doors offer several benefits that make them a popular choice for homeowners:

Fire Resistance: Steel doors are highly fire-resistant, providing an additional layer of safety to your home. They can endure high temperatures and effectively contain fires, offering crucial time for evacuation in case of emergencies.
Design Versatility: With a wide range of designs, styles, and finishes available, steel doors can be customized to complement the aesthetics of any home. Whether you prefer sleek modern designs or classic styles, steel doors can be tailored to suit your preferences. Additionally, they can feature decorative glass inserts or panel designs, adding a touch of elegance to your entryway.
Longevity: Steel doors boast a long lifespan and are engineered to withstand years of use. Their durability makes them less susceptible to wear and tear compared to other door materials, ensuring they remain in excellent condition for an extended period.
Noise Reduction: Steel doors provide superior noise insulation, helping to reduce external sounds and create a quieter indoor environment. This can contribute to a more peaceful atmosphere within your home, allowing you to enjoy greater comfort and tranquility.

Overall, the combination of fire resistance, design versatility, longevity, and noise reduction makes steel doors an excellent investment for enhancing both the safety and aesthetics of your home.

Wood

Wood is the original exterior door material, widely renowned for its warmth and aesthetic charm. While the rustic appearance of these doors is unlike any other, it’s important to note that most wood doors require regular maintenance to preserve their functionality over time. The natural grain patterns and warm tones of wood not only enhance the beauty of your home but also offer the ability to customize your door to fit a variety of design preferences. You can choose to stain, paint, or varnish your wood door in an array of colors and finishes to perfectly match your home’s interior or exterior décor.

Despite their visual appeal and versatility, wood doors come with certain drawbacks. Their susceptibility to weather elements like moisture, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures means they can warp, swell, or deteriorate if not properly protected. Regular sealing, staining, or painting is necessary to prevent these issues and maintain the door’s structural integrity and appearance. This maintenance, while essential, can be seen as an opportunity to refresh and enhance the exterior look of your home periodically.

Additionally, it is worth considering that wood doors are typically more expensive than alternatives made from materials like fiberglass and steel. This higher cost, coupled with the need for ongoing maintenance, contributes to wood doors being less popular than their more durable counterparts. Yet, for many, the aesthetic benefits and the charm of a beautifully crafted wood door outweigh these considerations.

Wood doors offer several advantages and disadvantages:

Pros:

Natural Beauty: Wood doors exude a timeless and elegant aesthetic appeal. The inherent grain patterns and warm tones of wood can enhance the overall appearance of your home, adding a touch of natural beauty and sophistication.
Customizability: Wood doors are highly customizable, allowing you to tailor them to fit your specific design preferences. They can be stained, painted, or varnished in various colors and finishes to match your interior or exterior décor, providing flexibility in achieving the desired look.

Cons:

Maintenance: Wood doors require regular maintenance to preserve their appearance and protect them from the elements. They need to be periodically sealed, stained, or painted to prevent warping, cracking, or rotting. This ongoing maintenance can be time-consuming and may incur additional costs.
Vulnerability to Weather: Wood doors are more susceptible to damage from extreme weather conditions, including moisture, humidity, and fluctuating temperatures. Without proper protection, they can warp, swell, or deteriorate over time, compromising their structural integrity and longevity.

Overall, while wood doors offer unparalleled natural beauty and customizability, they come with the drawback of requiring regular maintenance and being vulnerable to weather-related damage. Consequently, they may not be the most practical or cost-effective option for every homeowner, particularly those seeking low-maintenance entryway solutions. However, for those who appreciate the aesthetic appeal of wood and are willing to invest time and effort into upkeep, wood doors can be a rewarding choice.

Fiberglass

If you like the appearance of natural wood doors but are not a fan of the upkeep, fiberglass exterior doors are the best alternative. These maintenance-free exterior doors are energy efficient and designed to mimic the look of wood without giving way to damages caused by prolonged exposure to outdoor elements.

Fiberglass doors offer numerous advantages that make them a popular choice for homeowners:

Durability: Fiberglass doors are highly durable and resistant to dents, scratches, and dings. This resilience makes them perfect for high-traffic areas and households with children or pets, ensuring they maintain their appearance and functionality for years to come.
Weather Resistance: One of the key benefits of fiberglass doors is their exceptional performance in various weather conditions. They are less prone to warping, rotting, or swelling when exposed to moisture, extreme temperatures, or humidity. This weather resistance helps them maintain their integrity and appearance even in harsh environments.
Low Maintenance: Unlike wooden doors, fiberglass doors require minimal maintenance. They do not need regular painting, staining, or sealing to keep them looking their best. This low maintenance requirement saves homeowners time, effort, and money over the lifespan of the door.
Energy Efficiency: Fiberglass doors offer excellent insulation properties, contributing to the overall energy efficiency of your home. By minimizing heat loss in the winter and preventing heat gain in the summer, fiberglass doors help to keep your home comfortable year-round. This energy efficiency not only enhances your comfort but also reduces energy costs by lowering heating and cooling expenses.

In summary, the durability, weather resistance, low maintenance, and energy efficiency of fiberglass doors make them a smart choice for homeowners looking for a long-lasting and hassle-free entryway solution.

Where You Can Find Top-Notch Exterior Doors

Now that you have a better understanding of exterior door materials, it’s time to find your perfect match. For homeowners in and around the DC metro area, the best source for premium exterior doors is See-Thru Windows, Doors & Home Improvements. Since 1994, we’ve helped homeowners find the best products for their needs—installing them flawlessly for years of reliable performance. Our exterior doors are no exception. You’ll have the option to choose from:

Fiberglass entry doors
Steel entry doors
Storm/security doors

What’s more, we back our exterior doors with a lifetime warranty in addition to our five-year labor warranty.

To learn more about our exterior doors and installations, contact the pros at See-Thru Windows, Doors & Home Improvements today.