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. Any dents or dings on these doors can be pulled and puttied with an auto-body repair kit.
Fiberglass exterior doors are made from two large molded sides that are filled in the center with a polyurethane foam core that insulates the door against extreme temperatures. This manufacturing process makes fiberglass one of the most durable and energy-efficient options on the market.
PVC: These doors are also low maintenance. PVC doors are very resistant to weather damage and corrosion, very sturdy, with steel reinforcement inside, and good insulation properties.
The report says that exterior fiberglass, steel and wood doors will last as long as the house exists, while vinyl and screen doors have a life expectancy of 20 and 40 years, respectively. Closet doors are expected to last a lifetime, and French doors have an average life of 30 to 50 years.
Clean & Dry
Wash and scrub your exterior wood door with natural dish soap. When cleaning the door, ensure the cleaning products are diluted with water so that the cleaners themselves don't damage the wood. Then, dry the wooden door with paper towels or cloths.
Although wooden doors are durable, they're susceptible to damage from prolonged exposure to sun, rain, snow, humidity, and other elements. Fiberglass resists the effects of harsh weather and lasts longer, without the rotting, splitting, peeling, or delaminating that occurs in wood.
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. Any dents or dings on these doors can be pulled and puttied with an auto-body repair kit.
Aluminium doors are the best for bathrooms. Although wooden doors and steel doors look quite elegant and great, they are not as practical as their aluminium counterparts.
A unique layer of insulation. Embedded with thermal insulating properties, a PVC door will maintain the average temperature in a room, eliminating the constant use of heaters and coolers in winters and summers respectively.
Steel doors are more weather resistant and sturdier than wooden doors. Where wooden doors can crack, bend and warp under the weather (not to forget termite attack and peeling), steel doors aren't affected by cracking or weather.
Compared with wooden designs, composite doors will not warp, rot or discolour. You'll save money on maintenance and save even more on thermal efficiency and peace of mind. Your new composite will be a true upgrade for your property, with truly bespoke designs that are built to last.
But the real question is – are they secure? The short answer: yes. Fiberglass doors are secure and a valid option to consider when looking to replace your front entry door.
Do Fiberglass Doors Get Hot? Yes, fiberglass doors get hot in summer. Though this material is considered as the best material for the front door, still, it gets hot in summer and cold in winter. The blue door in the video that I took is fiberglass and it was 163 degrees that day!
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.
The compacting of this strong material gives a door ample durability without losing the needed flexibility and visual appeal. Fiberglass can be compression-molded into almost any shape, so it is an excellent material for entry doors, which look better if they match the look and feel of a home.
Do not use furniture wax. It is not designed for outdoor usage, and will bake the finish in the sun and will result in damage. Once you have your wax, applying it correctly is key. You should never wax your exterior doors in full sunlight.
Wood Entry Doors
Wood doors offer a bit more beauty, but most varieties won't last as long as a steel door. A pine door will need to be replaced after 20 years, a cedar door after 40 years, and a mahogany door after 60 years. They can also be extremely expensive when compared to steel, and they aren't fire resistant.
Your best bet is to sand the door down, and finish it with multiple coats of an exterior spar varnish that's made for boats. Spar varnish contains ingredients that block UV rays and is more flexible than standard polyurethane, so it adheres better without cracking or peeling.
Glass doors can last 50 years or more, typically longer. And because they have less wood that's susceptible to rot, the door's maintenance is more manageable than others.
Seven Signs that It's Time to Replace Your Front Door. In an ideal world, your front door should last as long as your house stands. But if it's unprotected and exposed to the harsh elements of Northeast Ohio, then your door may only last 30 years or so.