When it comes to energy efficiency, fiberglass exterior doors are your best option. Fiberglass exterior doors are manufactured with a solid polyurethane foam core that insulates the door against extreme temperatures.
The insulating power of a fiberglass door is superior to steel and hardwood. It keeps the weather out and air conditioning in. The US Department of Energy recommends either insulated steel doors or fiberglass doors instead of wood entry doors to cut energy bills and reduce energy waste at the same time.
Cold. The best exterior doors for cold weather are well-insulated ones. When choosing a door for the cold, look for fiberglass insulated doors, solid wood doors, metal insulated doors, and other heat-trapping materials.
Fiberglass exterior doors are among the strongest on the market. They're also some of the most energy-efficient. Fiberglass is a poor conductor of heat, making it energy-efficient on its own, but when insulation is added, it's hard to beat.
For energy efficiency, fiberglass simply can't be beat. It performs better than both wood and steel due to the fact that it is such a long-lasting material.
The R-values of most steel and fiberglass-clad entry doors range from R-5 to R-6, excluding a window. For example, a 1-1/2 inch (3.81 cm) thick door without a window offers more than five times the insulating value of a solid wood door of the same size.
Advantages of Fiberglass Exterior Doors
Durability – The material never warps, rots or rusts and can stand strong for decades. Performance – The entry system reduces heat transfer and boosts energy efficiency, thereby lowering your energy costs.
Cracks: During the winter season, the rigid material of fiberglass door contracts which can lead to crack and sometimes falling apart of some inexpensive and low quality fiberglass entry doors. These cracks degrade the appearance of the doors and make a passage for the cold air to enter the house.
Steel entry doors provide more protection than fiberglass because they are made of a thicker, more protective material. It is harder to break into because of the strong hold that they provide in the frame of the house. On the other hand, fiberglass is easier to manipulate, making it a less secure option.
If you're deciding on an exterior door for your home, fiberglass, wood, and steel are your best three options.
A solid wood door will have an R-value of R-2 or R-3. An insulated steel or fiberglass will have an R-value that is twice as good — generally R-5 to R-6, but in some cases as high as R-7. European manufacturers of Passivhaus-certified doors advertise R-values as high as R-11.
Fiberglass doors work well in almost any climate, even extreme cold and damp conditions. Unlike wood, fiberglass doors do not warp, crack, or rot. And unlike steel, the doors don't rust, scratch, or corrode. Fiberglass is built to last and will not require yearly re-finishing to stay in top shape.
Fiberglass Exterior Doors
In a reasonably protected location, a fiberglass exterior door will never need painting or staining and can last 15 to 20 years. Although it feels lighter than wood or steel, it is extremely durable and features an extremely durable coating that is difficult to breach.
Fiberglass doors and sidelights can be smooth or textured with a wood-grain finish. This material usually does not need to be primed, but painting is required. Premium steel doors are factory-primed and should be painted but not stained.
The price range for a quality, pre-finished installed fiberglass door can range between $1,200 and $2,500. So they're less expensive than wood doors, but a bit more expensive compared with most steel doors.
Do I Have to Use a Storm Door with a Fiberglass Entry Door? In a word, no. Fiberglass entry doors are built to stand up to harsh weather and other damaging effects. They're also excellent for security purposes and offer a high level of insulation, keeping your home more comfortable and helping to lower utility bills.
Solid-core wood entry doors have some insulating properties naturally inherent in wood. The R-value of a 1 3/4-inch wood door is 3.03. R-values climb as thickness of the material increases. A 2 1/4-inch solid-core wooden door, for example, has an R-value of 3.70.
Insulating a wooden front door requires a combination of direct insulation and air sealing. Because the front door is centrally visible and highly trafficked, all of these recommendations do not change the look of the front door. Ways to insulate a wooden front door include the following: Improve weatherstripping.
Can you paint a fiberglass door? The answer is yes — if you choose the right paint, you can give your doorway a new lease of life. Painting vinyl isn't always necessary. The material is so popular for doors and window frames because it already has good moisture resistance.
The answer is that, pound–for–pound, fiberglass is stronger than steel or aluminum. While strength isn't the only consideration in selecting a vehicle body, it is a major one. It is, after all, a matter of both safety and durability.
When it comes to energy efficiency, fiberglass exterior doors are your best option. Fiberglass exterior doors are manufactured with a solid polyurethane foam core that insulates the door against extreme temperatures.
Glass can be the weak links when it comes to inhibiting heat transfer through your home walls. Siding and insulation are both excellent insulators, but single pane glass can lead to higher energy bills. Modern energy-efficient glass patio doors are far better at keeping the heat where it is supposed to be.