Choosing the right exterior door will affect more than your home’s appearance. Different doors provide different benefits. Some materials are better suited for certain climates, certain styles, or certain budgets. Your exterior door will provide home security and energy efficiency.
Learn about the differences in types of door and material choices.
Never Use an Interior Door Outside
First things first. Unless you are an expert DIY-er or upcycler, make sure you are shopping exterior doors not interior doors. Many interior doors are hollow-core doors, meaning the external part of the door is simply composite in front of an empty cavity. Hollow-core doors will not provide any security for your home, being breachable with a simple kick or punch. In addition, the wood veneer is not rated for rain and snow and may soon warp in inclement weather.
For interior doors that are solid core, you may still run into weatherproofing and insulation issues. Glass insets in these doors are typically single pain and the door will provide little insulation. Many of these doors are again, not weather-proofed in any way.
Wooden Doors
Wooden exterior doors provide a classic look. These beautiful and solid doors are strong and provide excellent protection against the elements. Scratches and dents are simple to repair and the designs are easy to customize. Oak, poplar, and hickory are some common wood choices, each with a different look. The downside to wood doors is that these can be quite expensive, especially with customization or added features. Wood doors will also require regular maintenance such as paint or sealant.
Steel Doors
Steel doors are – yes, strong. Steel provides a durable door that is excellent for security and usually quite affordable. Steel doors can be painted to match your home and provide good insulation against the weather without warping. A downside to steel is that scratches will need painting to avoid rust, and dents are very difficult to repair.
While there are all-steel door options available, many steel doors are actually steel-clad fiberglass.
Glass Exterior Doors
A glass door by itself may not be the best choice of an exterior door, but a glass storm door in conjunction with a solid exterior door is an excellent way to add security, open your home to light, and increase insulation. Make sure you explore solar blocking and energy-efficient options like Low E glass. You may also want to explore features like kickplates near foot traffic and retractable screens.
If you don’t want to get an all-glass door, consider a wood, steel, or fiberglass door that offers different glass window features. Make sure to consider the sun and weather when selecting your glass.
Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass doors are lightweight and affordable. Many fiberglass doors offer a wood grain or faux wood look that can be painted to better match your home exterior. Fiberglass is a great choice for those who want the look of wood but live in climates with high humidity which is prone to warping natural wood exteriors. Quality can vary greatly with fiberglass doors, so avoid lesser-quality items or too-good-to-be-true promotions to avoid inferior products that will crack easily and have a shortened lifespan. A good quality fiberglass door will be long-lasting and weather resistant.
Choose the right door for your home, your budget, and your climate by selecting the right material. Explore different ways you can customize your favored material choice with hinges, handles, doorframes, windows, and even a peephole. Work with a certified retailer and expert in door sales and installation to find an exterior door that meets your needs.
A good exterior door will make it easy to come home.