Fiberglass doors are typically more expensive than steel but less expensive than high-end wood doors. But since fiberglass lasts longer and is easier to maintain than wood and steel, many homeowners prefer it. Fiberglass gives homeowners around 75% return on investment.
Steel can be an excellent option if you have security concerns. Since it's a heavy, tough material, steel entry doors are very difficult to break down. Fiberglass doors are still a pretty secure choice, but they're far more lightweight than steel and are easier to manipulate.
Drawbacks of Fiberglass Exterior Doors
The disadvantages of fiberglass doors include: Price – While not as costly as some types of wood, fiberglass is one of the more expensive options on the market. Sizing – The material is difficult to trim, so it's not well-suited for exterior doors that aren't standard sizes.
The main price difference between steel and fiberglass doors is not in the door cost itself but in the cost of painting the door. A steel door comes factory painted white and does not have to be painted unless you want a different colour.
Exterior steel doors are the most durable and provide the best defense against unwanted visitors. Fiberglass doors are slightly less durable, but they require less maintenance because they aren't prone to rusting.
Fiberglass Entry Doors
This exterior door material offers the lowest maintenance and does not warp or crack under climate pressure. They're also resistant to denting and scratching, unlike steel or wood doors.
Steel Door Disadvantages
Denting and Rusting – While steel doors cannot warp they can be dented if hit by something, and if the paint on the door gets chipped off at the dent then rusting can develop with the metal being exposed to the moisture in the air.
Steel and fiberglass front doors require the least amount of maintenance. They're made from durable materials that resist dents and scratches, with a long-lasting finish. Wood front doors require a bit more maintenance if you choose a wood exterior.
A steel door is considered to be the strongest type of door. However, only by a small margin over wood and fiberglass. Steel doors are by far the least expensive entry door on the market.
Fiberglass doors are often thought of as maintenance-free, but over time they can start to show wear and tear. If you want to keep your fiberglass doors looking like new, you may need to give them a fresh coat of paint from time to time.
Therma-Tru's fiberglass door slabs are up to 30% more resistant to kick-ins than standard steel doors. ** Standard steel doors can dent and bow, which leads more quickly to product failure. With durable construction, our fiberglass doors can withstand this impact by absorbing and deflecting the force.
Factory Prefinished Fiberglass Door Care & Maintenance Guide
And like any piece of your home's exterior it needs proper care and periodic maintenance to keep it in top condition. Cleaning—To clean your door please use mild soap in warm water and a non-abrasive, clean rag. You will need to let the door air dry.
Fiberglass doors are more durable than steel or wood doors, as they never rot, warp, or rust, giving them a lifespan of several decades. Additionally, they hold up against dents, scratches, insects, and fire better than most, meaning they need less maintenance. The worst that can happen is they need to be painted.
Steel provides the best long-term value in the door and frame industry. It lasts longer, requires the fewest repairs, and is sturdier than other products. Steel's natural strength also outperforms other materials in security, fire rating, sound reduction, vandal resistance, sanitation, and more.
Fiberglass doors have some type of foam at their core, which gives them the opportunity to be extremely well-insulated and one of the best soundproof door options if the foam is high-density.
A steel door is your best bet if security and durability are top priorities. Steel units are stronger than wood or fiberglass doors, and they won't crack or warp.
Steel security doors are some of the strongest doors available and are difficult to crack or break through, and solid wood and fiberglass options aren't far behind.
You really can't beat steel when it comes choosing a long-lasting door. Not only do they resist fire damage, they're extremely secure and they can last for 100 years or more.
Advantages of Steel Doors
Low cost — Of all of the exterior door options, a steel door requires the lowest upfront investment. You can find a variety of steel door options all at a considerably lower cost than a wood or fiberglass door, simply because steel doors are much less expensive to manufacture.
Fiberglass and insulated steel exterior doors offer the best energy efficiency ratings because they're manufactured with interior cores designed to reduce energy transfer.
Fiberglass. Fiberglass wins for the choice of the most insulative exterior door choice. While they fill a fiberglass door with foam much like a steel door, its low maintenance feature makes it superior to steel.
The Value of Steel Windows & Doors
For instance, it's estimated that replacing your existing entry door with a steel door can provide nearly a 100 percent return on investment. This means the amount by which your home value increases is almost equal to the cost of your new entry door.
Custom steel doors cost more than their wood, aluminum, and vinyl cousins because of the extra processes and labor that goes into building them.
Additionally, unlike wood doors that can break down and rot, steel doors will not crack or warp allowing the elements to enter your home. This means that another advantage of steel doors is that they last longer and offer a return on their cost in home durability as well as appearance and security.