Steel doors are a more durable option, and they are less likely to be damaged by sunlight than wood. However, they absorb heat and can become hot to the touch in direct sunlight. This can create a potentially harmful situation while using the door. Fiberglass doors are the top choice for handling direct sunlight.
The good news is that there is an option for homeowners who must contend with a hot climate: fiberglass doors. Fiberglass is a remarkably durable material that will hold strong even after years of facing the hot sun.
Fiberglass doors have a much higher resistance to weathering than wood and steel, but exposure to sunlight can fade them, as you have discovered. Depending on the fading, you may be able to patch the stain. Before you paint or stain the surface, clean your door properly.
For hot weather, you'll need a front door able to withstand constant heat. A thermally broken door will keep the heat outside and the cool inside of the house. This door can be made of any material, but wrought iron and fiberglass are the most common options.
Strong exposure to the heat, such as that from the sun, will cause your door to warp over time. Try installing your door in a place where it's not directly affected by extreme heat exposure. Avoid installing fiberglass doors in areas with harsh sun exposures.
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.
Use a hard topcoat.
The door's topcoat should be reapplied often — every two years if not exposed to direct sunlight and up to every six months if there is no overhang and a lot of direct sunlight.
And steel can get hot when exposed to sunlight and high temperatures, which makes it a little less efficient than fiberglass. Verdict: While both steel and fiberglass are energy-efficient options, fiberglass outperforms steel in this area, making it a favorite door replacement option for many homeowners.
A wood door wouldn't work either, as wood tends to warp, crack and delaminate under direct sunlight as well. This leaves us with one last material that can withstand the desert sun: fiberglass. Fiberglass doors are tough and virtually maintenance-free making them the perfect front door for a Palm Desert home.
Steel and fiberglass doors are typically better insulated than wood doors and for models with glass, the hurricane impact glass maintains the efficiency and reduction of heat transfer.
Fiberglass doors are superior insulators and are suited for many climates — hot or cold, wet or dry. Unlike steel doors in wet climates, they are not susceptible to rust. Unlike steel, fiberglass does not transfer heat, which makes it a better choice for areas with greater seasonal fluctuations in temperature.
Fiberglass products that are continuously exposed to UV radiation may succumb to unsightly color fading. This phenomenon is not unique to fiberglass, however, and it has no bearing on the structural integrity of the part.
If the fiberglass enclosure is not manufactured with a UV inhibitor, the UV rays of the sun will break down and weaken the fiberglass over time. If you are considering a fiberglass enclosure or fiberglass shelter, be sure to ask the manufacturer for details concerning the UV inhibitor.
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.
Additionally, steel doors will not expand with humidity changes like wood doors do. When choosing between steel and wood doors, you'll want to think about how often you plan to paint the door, what it's exposed to, and how many times you want to replace it in its lifetime.
Fiberglass doors are strong and durable, but they're not as fire-resistant as steel doors. They can also be damaged by ultraviolet light. Steel doors are the strongest type of door, and they're also fire-resistant. They're the best option for security and durability.
Fiberglass and insulated steel exterior doors offer the best energy efficiency ratings because they're manufactured with interior cores designed to reduce energy transfer.
Steel doors are strong. And some like the ProVia Legacy Steel line (which is carried at NEXT Door and Window) won't crack, dent or warp and are the most durable on the market (close to commercial-grade steel). Steel doors can be more energy-efficient than wood doors, but they will vary depending on construction.
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.
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.
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.
Fiberglass and steel doors both perform well in terms of energy efficiency. One of the biggest advantages of fiberglass doors is the cost savings they provide, thanks to their energy efficiency. Fiberglass doesn't expand and contract like some materials, thus providing excellent insulation throughout seasonal changes.
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 does not react to climate so it will never expand or contract as the weather and temperature changes. In a reasonably protected location, a fiberglass exterior door will never need painting or staining and can last 15 to 20 years.