Your home’s exterior doors safeguard it from external conditions such as cold weather, wind, and extreme heat. A good exterior door helps to maintain the interior temperatures at an optimal level and lower your energy bills. There’s a wide range of options for exterior doors, making it hard for homeowners to choose the best among them. Technological advancements have also led to an increase in manufacturing techniques and styles, further complicating this decision.
When it comes to exterior doors, perhaps the most crucial of these considerations is what it’s made of. Some doors combine several materials, but the surface material of a door matters the most as it affects the door’s appearance, durability, and pricing. Here are some of the most common options you have when choosing exterior door materials:
Wood
It’s a popular option for many homeowners. One of the main reasons why people prefer wood materials is elegance. Wood’s aesthetic appeal is so valuable that many other materials try to imitate its appearance to achieve the same level of beauty. There are a lot of varieties to choose from when it comes to wooden exterior doors, and these options can be easily customized to give your home a unique look in your neighborhood.
Besides painting, wooden doors can receive a variety of finishes, making them ideal for homeowners who would like some creative freedom. Another major advantage of choosing wooden exterior doors is that they can be easily repaired.
One of the main drawbacks of using wooden doors is that they have less resistance to extreme conditions than steel and fiberglass.
Steel
Steel is also a common material for exterior doors due to its ability to improve the look of a home and offer excellent protection. Steel doors will help to increase the resale value of your home, and the sleek, clean look of the material makes it unbeatable.
Another aspect of steel doors that make them stand out is that they’re versatile in terms of customization. They come in a wide range of finishes, even offering homeowners wood grain finishes if they want the beauty of the material without the drawbacks. One of the disadvantages of using them is that they are often among the more expensive options.
Fiberglass
Some experts may recommend fiberglass exterior doors, as this material offers numerous benefits that others cannot. First, it’s tougher than vinyl. Fiberglass doors also come in a wide range of colors and styles for you to choose from. And while some doors may not be available in a standard size, fiberglass doors can be customized into all kinds of different sizes depending on your needs. The materials are filled with insulating foam, making them more energy efficient than wood. However, installing fiberglass doors isn’t easy, and you may need to hire an expert.
Aluminum
There are numerous reasons you should consider installing aluminum exterior doors in your home. The main benefit is that they are durable and long-lasting, as the material isn’t subject to rusting. Aluminum doors can retain their performance and looks throughout their long lifetime.
The low maintenance requirements of aluminum will also save you time and money. Unlike some materials, you only need to clean them a few times a year. One of the main disadvantages of the material, however, is that it can corrode quickly if the necessary precautions aren’t taken.
