Your home’s front and entry doors and frames are more than just a means of entering your house: they set the whole tone of your home’s appearance, possibly even more so than your home’s windows or your front yard garden.
If you’re looking to get the best entry doors available, you’re in luck! We’re dedicating this month’s blog to a comparison of some of the pros and cons of steel and fiberglass entry doors to help you find the new doors that are right for you. Whether you wish to go with our Provia (Signet or Embarq) options, the choice is up to you!
Steel Entry Doors
The Pros of Steel Doors
If you’re seeking a relatively less expensive door, a steel entry may be your best bet. Steel doors typically cost between $700 and $2,000 installed, generally giving them a lower price than wood or higher-end fiberglass doors. One benefit of steel doors is that they provide stronger barriers against intruders due to their sturdiness and strength. Steel doors are also energy efficient and great for insulating warm air in the winter. They’re perfect if you’re seeking something secure and affordable. However, not all steel doors are the same. The larger box stores typically sell a 24- to 26-gauge steel surface, which is highly malleable and roughly has the thickness of a soda can. Provia Steel Doors, on the other hand, are 20-gauge thick, which is about the thickness of a quarter.
The Downsides of Steel Doors
Among their drawbacks, steel doors tend to acquire dents and scratches more than fiberglass doors, and scratches on steel doors can lead to the development of rust. Further, steel front doors also have a higher temperature conduction rate than fiberglass — depending on the weather, the door can feel extremely hot or cold to the touch. If your steel entry door is positioned to receive a lot of sunlight, the door must be painted a bright, light color. Otherwise, the dark color will absorb too much heat, thereby damaging the door. Check and ask the door’s manufacturer for their warranty on darker colors. Lastly, steel doors are probably not for you if you want a more traditional, rustic look.
Fiberglass Entry Doors
The Pros of Fiberglass Doors
If you’re looking for something that’s low-maintenance and has the best imitation-wood appearance, fiberglass might be an excellent choice. Unlike other door types, fiberglass doors don’t expand or contract with changes in temperature, making them perfect for humid or harsh environments. In a location with fair weather, a fiberglass door can last 15 or 20 years without any repairs or painting. Known to be highly sturdy and secure, fiberglass doors are also highly energy efficient, even more so than steel doors, and are comparably more resistant to dents and scratches. The latest fiberglass door models, such as Signet and Embarqs, convey the look of wood and are the most energy efficient doors made in the United States. Provia alone has an R-10 insulated door.
The Downsides of Fiberglass Doors
When cheaply made, fiberglass doors can crack in cold weather — otherwise, good-quality fiberglass doors don’t have too many drawbacks. The cost for a good-quality, pre-finished installed fiberglass entry door can range from $1,200 to $2,500, making them slightly more expensive than steel doors, which are typically in the $700 to $2,000 range.
Whether you’re looking for a steel or fiberglass door, custom window replacement in Yardley, or an Andersen window in Doylestown, don’t hesitate to give us a call today!
