Wood Doors vs. Steel and Fiberglass Doors

Whether you choose wood, steel or fiberglass for your entry door, it’s really a matter of personal preference. All exterior doors are made to resist wear from the elements. A high quality wood door may surpass a cheap steel door, but there are some basic differences. Below are the characteristic of each material with regards to exterior doors.

Wood Exterior Doors

• All-wood doors have solid wood or solid-cores.
• Provides an attractive appearance.
• R-values vary with the quality and amount of window glass, but wood is a natural insulator.
• Wood doors are prone to warping and require periodic painting.
• Wood is available in a variety of designs.
• Can be trimmed to fit existing frame.
• Wood will not rust overtime.
• They are heavy and tend to sag over time.
• Requires routine maintenance to ensure long lasting qualities.
• They can be trimmed to fit an existing opening.
• They are good at controlling sound.
• Can be reinforced with fiberglass to prevent expansion and contracting.

Steel Exterior Doors

• Insulation-filled steel doors can have high R-values, up to an R-15 because the steel frame is filled with polyurethane foam.
• Steel is ideal for unprotected exposure to sun and moisture.
• Cannot be trimmed to fit existing opening.
• Steel doors can be difficult to install.
• Very easy to maintain.
• Inexpensive.
• Frames must be plumb/square for the door to fit properly.
• Fastening hardware may require a few carbide-tipped drill bit.
• There is no exposed wood to warp, rot, bow or splinter.
• Provides superior security qualities.
• The bottom of the door is subject to rust from salt.
• Has the option of coming with magnetic weather stripping to ensure a strong hold that keep the elements out and prevents air and water infiltration.
• Stainable and offers smooth surfaces.

Fiberglass Exterior Doors

• They are paintable, stainable and come in many styles.
• Genuine look and feel of a wood door.
• Insulated fiber glass doors have up to an R-11 rating.
• Embossed texture that is 25% deeper than standard fiberglass doors.
• Offers four times greater insulation performance than a wood door.
• Architecturally correct stile- and rail-grain pattern.
• Resists nicks and dents.
• Does not chip, warp, rot, or crack.
• Fiberglass is proven far superior to wood in strength, weather ability and durability.
• Triple blade bottom sweep helps eliminate air and water infiltration and is not affected by temperature extremes.
• Typically offers a lifetime limited warranty on entry door slab component, frame, hardware accessories, hinges, weather-stripping and threshold.

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