What Type of Entry Door is Right For Your Needs?

One of the biggest decisions you will face when shopping for a new entry door is what type of material your door will be.  There are many options to choose from, including wood, fiberglass and steel. Here is a look at the various aspects of each type of door:

Wood

 Wood doors come in two varieties; solid core and solid wood. A solid core wood door is typically composed of high density fiberboard with a thin piece of plywood or laminate on each side. The core is an  energy- efficient polyurethane designed to insulate and the panels are typically done with thicker plywood and wood pieces, similar to the way cabinetry is constructed. This door will need maintenance over time, and will eventually need refinished due to exposure to outside elements. Many times the thin laminate and plywood will absorb moisture behind the protective clear coat finish, and as a result, will peel or bubble out.  

The second type of wood door is a solid wood door. This type of door is 100% wood, and is the heaviest door on the market. While shifting and expanding is always a risk with this type of door, this problem can usually be minimized by purchasing a door produced by a high-quality manufacturer.  A solid wood door must be maintained annually to preserve the finish, but these doors can be sanded and refinished  if needed. A solid wood door is the most expensive door you can buy, sometimes costing as much as 10 times the price of a steel door.

Despite which type of wood door you choose, sun and humidity are a wood door’s natural enemies. Wood will also start to show its age and use, including scratches and cracks; and can warp when exposed to high moisture. If you decide a wood door is the right choice for you, expect a hefty investment. You get what you pay for and a cheap wood door will simply not stand the test of time.

Fiberglass

  A fiberglass door isn’t entirely fiberglass. The core of a fiberglass door is composed of a framework of wooden or composite stiles and rails, with a surface of compression-molded fiberglass. The framework’s voids are filled with CFC-free polyurethane foam insulation. While some cheaper fiberglass doors are obviously distinguishable from wood, high quality fiberglass doors feature the appearance of deep wood graining that is virtually identical to the real thing in feel and appearance.

The decorative ridges and deep graining in fiberglass doors can create the appearance of wood that many homeowners desire.

Performance between these doors varies. Stay away from cheap fiberglass doors if possible, as they may crack and fall apart (especially in cold weather). Additionally, their finished may deteriorate quickly and the inner cores could rot. If your budget only allows for a cheap door, consider investing in an inexpensive steel one first.

Steel

 Most steel doors have surfaces of heavy-gauge galvanized steel that has been embossed with a wood-grain pattern. Some types feature a wood-fiber coating that allows them to be stained and some high-end doors may even have real-wood veneer laminated to their surfaces.

Conventional steel doors are factory primed with a baked-on polyester finish; they generally require periodic repainting. Some have a vinyl coating for greater weather resistance. All of them have an inner frame made of wood or steel. The gauge of the steel indicates its strength; the higher the number, the thinner the steel . While 24-guage steel doors are common, they should be considered temporary, due to the fact that they can rust and fall apart.  For a long-term fix, look for at least a 22-gauge door, which offers thicker steel that won’t bend or flex and holds paint well.

If security and durability are your top priorities, a steel door might be your best choice, a steel door is far stronger than either fiberglass or wood and it won’t crack, warp or fall apart.

Despite which option you choose, there are both well-built and poorly-constructed versions of any door. To ensure a durable door, be sure to choose a reputable manufacturing company whose products have received good reviews. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, select a reputable contractor to work with rather than opting for an inexpensive door from the big box store.

Your New Entry Door - 10 Steps on Making Your Selection (Part 2 of 2)

Here are the final 5 areas to consider when purchasing your new entry door:

6) Door Slab Color: This is your chance to have some fun! The door is one of the first impressions a visitor has of your home. What color best expresses your home’s personality?

7) Glass Style: If you prefer glass in your door, how will it be configured? Do you want a large piece of glass in the center or would you prefer simple sidelights instead? Would you like a transom? Do you want caning in your door? If so, what color?

8) Interior Trims and Moldings:  Consider what color you want the interior trims around the perimeter of the door. Many homeowners choose woodwork trim on the inside casing.

9) Exterior Cladding Color: This is the metal part that goes around the outside of your door. The color can be one that matches the door slab or something that is complimentary in color to the door slab.

10) Hardware Package: The hardware gives you another opportunity to express your personality. Do you want a door knob or a handle with a push down lever? Choose from many styles, including decorative, modern, or just something basic and functional?

Your New Entry Door – 10 Steps on Making Your Selection (Part 1 0f 2)

A new entry door can not only spruce up the appearance of your home, it can also make your home more comfortable and save you money by making it more energy efficient! Most people probably haven’t put much thought into the process of selecting an entry door, but there are 10 areas to consider before making your purchase that will ensure you are happy with your investment for many years to come. This post cover 5 of the 10 things you should think about.      

1)  Door Configuration: Things to consider include how much glass do you want in your door? Do you prefer a smooth door or one with a wood texture? Would you like the wood grain to be prominent?

2) Swing and Hinge Orientation: Think of the most practical long term use of your door and which way you want it to swing. Some homeowners prefer to have their door swing out for safety reasons. This not only makes it easy to exit in the event of a fire, but also makes your home more secure, as it prevents thieves from kicking your door in. Another thing to take into consideration is whether or not you will have a storm door. Typically with a storm door and exterior door, one will hinge on the left and the other on the right.

3) Door Slab Material and Texture: What material do you want your door to be made of? Fiberglass or steel?  Some people prefer a steel door, citing that it is stronger and can offer magnetic weather stripping, which makes the door stronger. Others like fiberglass because they require very little maintenance and are resistant to warping and denting.

4) Jamb Thickness and Color: Determine the thickness of the jamb from the inside out. For example, if the outside of your home is brick and the inside is plaster, you would measure from the beginning of the brick to the end of the plaster. What color do you want your door jamb to be? Contractors who specialize in doors and exterior contracting can offer you a variety of colors, but the big box stores only offer white.

5) Threshold Depth and Color: How deep do you want your threshold to be? Do you want it to cover all of the old material? What color would you like the threshold to be? Many homeowners opt to make it the match the door’s hardware.