Steel and fiberglass front doors require the least amount of maintenance. They are made of durable materials that resist dents and scratches, with a durable finish. Wooden front doors require a little more maintenance if you choose a wooden exterior. The downside of using wooden doors is that wood can sag, warp, and peel over time, especially when repeatedly subjected to the elements.
For this reason, wood is best suited for covered areas or together with a storm door. Weatherwear can also help with insulation and durability. Wooden doors will require periodic maintenance in the form of repainting or repainting. A hardwood veneered solid core door is a less expensive alternative to solid wood.
A solid-core door is less likely to warp and increases the insulation value of the door. Like any type of wooden door, the thickest panels, posts and rails are the best in terms of strength and durability. Insulating steel is praised for its energy efficiency, safety and durability. Steel doors have a higher insulating value than wooden doors, sometimes up to five times higher.
They are also the safest exterior doors for your home and require little maintenance. They can be painted in any color and are offered in different styles, although not as many as wooden doors. Steel doors are usually less expensive than wood or fiberglass doors. While steel doors don't warp, they can dent and rust.
Their embossed wood grain finishes don't look as good as real wood, and some finishes may require periodic repainting. Steel doors also cannot be easily cut to fit an existing frame. Fiberglass insulating doors are made of composite materials. Like steel, fiberglass is safer and more energy efficient than wood.
These doors are also strong and durable, and require little maintenance. Their wood-mimicking finishes are believable and beautiful without the risk of warping, and there are many staining and painting options available. Fiberglass doors may be susceptible to fading, but other than that, they have few drawbacks. Not surprisingly, they are usually one of the most expensive options: high-end wooden doors and fiberglass doors are usually similarly priced.
In terms of durability, strength and energy efficiency, aluminum doors are similar to steel and fiberglass doors. They are very low-maintenance, with wood veins or smooth finishes that won't chip or rust. Aluminum is most often used for storm doors and patio door frames. In general, steel doors are ideal for Illinois homeowners, but keep in mind that these doors can rust if not properly primed and painted, so they may require a little more maintenance.
With fiberglass entry doors, you can get a real wood look without the cost or maintenance of real wood. Steel doors may be more energy efficient than wooden doors, but they will vary depending on the construction. Choosing a larger door or adding side lights means redoing the door frame around the door, a job best left to a contractor. Exterior doors offer visual appeal, security and insulation to the entrances of a house, so it is important to consider these aspects when buying an exterior door and choosing its material.
The wooden door should also be kept out of direct sunlight, as it can easily lose its appearance without proper maintenance. Steel exterior doors are a great choice for any home that only needs a simple and durable exterior door. Installation: Entrance doors are also known as door systems because they come pre-hung in a frame and are often pre-drilled to place a knob and a bolt. If you live in a climate like Illinois, this front door material may be more difficult to maintain, unless you add a storm door or have a covered entrance.
Unless a replacement door is part of a larger remodeling project, you may want the new door to be the same size as the old one. When you think of a steel door, you might imagine bulky, cold-looking entry doors, but on the contrary, steel entry doors can really shine in the design department.
