Fiberglass and insulated steel
Fiberglass exterior doors are among the strongest on the market. They're also some of the most energy-efficient.
A fiberglass front door is your best bet for peak energy efficiency. Fiberglass doors have an exceptionally insulating polyurethane foam core that provides a high R-value. The R-value is a standard measure of insulation effectiveness; higher numbers mean better insulation.
The best energy-efficient doors you can buy right now are the Emerson Therma-Tru fiberglass and Masonite Steel Primed doors. These doors have a polyurethane foam core – one of the most energy-efficient materials on the market – placed in the middle.
Although many people choose wood doors for their beauty, insulated steel and fiberglass doors are more energy-efficient.
When it comes to energy efficiency, fiberglass exterior doors are one of the best options on the market. Fiberglass exterior doors are manufactured with a solid polyurethane foam core that insulates the door against extreme temperatures.
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. Fiberglass also has an insulative quality, making fiberglass doors exceed steel door insulative properties.
Close the gaps.
Caulking and weatherstripping can help to seal gaps around the doorframe. Assuming your door is in good shape, most energy loss likely occurs in the spaces around the door, rather than through the door itself.
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.
With this in mind, modern aluminium doors offer the best sustainability features as they're 100% recyclable.
Fiberglass doors are naturally more weather-proof than wood or steel. While steel will not crack from cold weather, it is more susceptible to dents and chipping and requires quite a bit of upkeep.
Why do black doors add value to your home? 'The number one front door color that buyers will pay more for is black. A black door with a shiny finish may sell for up to $6,500 more than a similar house with a different colored door.
Composite doors deliver superior energy efficiency due to their construction. The process involved in manufacturing these energy efficient doors is different from that used to create those made with just a singular material.
On a Budget: Steel doors provide a relatively inexpensive way to incorporate style and energy efficiency without hurting the budget. Steel doors hold paint well, have a foam core with good insulation value and are fire resistant and low maintenance.
Built with a polyurethane foam core that offers up to four times the insulating R-Value of wood, Therma-Tru fiberglass doors insulate against cold and heat for exceptional energy efficiency. (Comparison of fiberglass to wood doors, both without glass.)
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.
Semi-gloss paint offers enhanced durability against wear-and-tear and harsh weather compared to flat or eggshell finishes, and it masks surface imperfections better than high-gloss. The glossiness also makes the door easier to clean as compared to flat or eggshell finishes.
Self-adhesive weatherproofing strips are one of the quickest and easiest answers to how to insulate entry doors. Simply cut to size and stick around the door frame, to seal any gaps without interfering with the function of the doors.
Add draught strips around the edge of the door
The bottom of the door isn't the only area where draughts can come in. The edges and top should also be properly sealed to stop heat from leaking out and cold air from entering your home. To stop draughts from doors, fit rubber, foam, brush or wiper strips.
Fiberglass doors are the top choice for handling direct sunlight. Fiberglass doors are durable and far less likely to be damaged by the sun than wood, while being relatively cooler to the touch than steel.
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.
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.
They Creak
The creaking sound that the composite doors make is also another turn off for these doors. This is because the plastic inside the doors contract and expand as they come in contact with heat. That's the reason you would only hear the creaking sound when it is too hot, or the sun is still out.