Once you have made up your mind to replace your front entry door, you are faced with the challenge of choosing the right door material. Given this, you need to learn about the major types of materials used for making the front entry door. This will ease your door replacement process and enable you to select the right material for your residence.
So, let’s learn about the 5 main types of material for a front entry door.
- Steel
When it comes to security and durability, steel front doors are the best option you can get today. Comparatively, they are stronger than fiberglass doors. Besides, they don’t crack, rot, or even warp. In addition, most steel doors are relatively cheaper to get and install than their counterparts. Nonetheless, high-quality ones can be quite expensive too.
The maintenance of steel front entry doors is also affordable. With an auto-body repair kit, you can get rid of any dents or dings on your steel door. Premium ones even come with the ability to resist the weather. However, they don’t usually have the physical appeal of wood doors.
- Wood
Because of the versatility and attractiveness of wooden doors, they are the commonest front doors you will find in most homes. In addition, wood front entry doors are known to be available in a wide range of natural finishes and materials such as pine, cherry, maple, fir, walnut, mahogany, and oak. They can also have breathtaking carvings and moldings that will boost the overlook of your home.
Although softwood front doors are available, hardwood doors are the best and most expensive options you have. However, you should note that woods are susceptible to rot, decay, and swelling. But if you can maintain your wood doors properly, they will last for a long period without any issue.
- Aluminum
Aluminum front entry doors have an insulation core with a metal covering. One special thing about aluminum doors is that each one is tailored to suit your specific needs and preferences. Also, they can be designed in different styles and colors.
Unlike wood doors, aluminum doors don’t require repainting because of their enamel finishes. Additionally, they don’t rust and can be used for decades.
- Vinyl
There are lots of doors that are made with vinyl. However, they are usually chosen for storm doors, patio doors, or screen doors. When made with sturdy vinyl, you can use these doors for several years without needing to spend lots of money on their maintenance. They can also be made in different colors. But the colors will likely fade after exposure to sun and other weather elements. Hence, you need to recolor them.
- Fiberglass composite
When a front entry door is made with fiberglass composite materials, this means that it has various types of materials. For instance, the door can have softwood or insulation cores while its internal and external parts are made with plastic material.
Composite front entry doors tend to have the basic features and benefits of the different materials they are made with. In most cases, fiberglass composite front entry doors are affordable and offer top-notch insulation, security, and weather tightness.
Before choosing any of these materials for your front door replacement, you must consider the weather of your region, the design of your home, and your taste.