When choosing a material for your exterior door, there's really no replacement for the classic wood model. However, wood requires considerable maintenance, especially when used for exterior doors that are constantly exposed to varying kinds of weather. To understand how vinyl doors can help your wood door last longer, take a look at our guide below.
What are Vinyl Doors?
Vinyl doors are created through the use of vinyl finishes, also known as vinyl cladding. Exterior doors with vinyl finishes feature a vinyl exterior, or cladding, and a solid wood interior. Usually, vinyl is the preferred material for door frames. A vinyl finish is used especially often for frames for patio doors, such as french doors or sliding doors.
The main benefit of vinyl doors is that they allow you to retain the elegance of a wood door without as much maintenance as wood usually requires. Unlike wood, vinyl doors are not susceptible to rot and are generally strong and durable. Vinyl doors will increase the lifespan of your wood doors by protecting it from the elements.
There are, however, some drawbacks to vinyl doors. Though it’s energy efficient, vinyl has the tendency to to expand and contract with temperature changes. Also, vinyl is susceptible to fading and can be damaged by prolonged exposure to the elements. Finally, some homeowners dislike the look of vinyl finishes.
Costs for Your Vinyl Doors
Vinyl is an affordable material, less expensive than wood or fiberglass. The average vinyl sliding door costs about $700 to $1,500, including installation costs.
How to Maintain Your Vinyl Doors
While vinyl doors have some drawbacks, they require minimal maintenance. Vinyl can last many years without requiring a new coat of paint or finish. Additionally, vinyl is very easy to clean. Basically, vinyl cladding will dramatically decrease the amount of time and money you need to spend maintaining your wood doors, thus allowing you to own a wood door without shouldering the extra responsibility.
Vinyl doors are generally water resistant and are a good choice for areas that experience a lot of moisture, such as the Northeast, the Northwest, and coastal regions.
Energy Efficiency for Your Vinyl Doors
Vinyl cladding will add an extra layer of insulation to your door, increasing your home's energy efficiency and saving you money on energy bills. In fact, when it comes to framing materials, vinyl is generally considered to be the most energy efficient.
Bottom Line: A Practical Choice for Your Home
At the end of the day, vinyl doors do exactly what they’re supposed to do: protect your precious wood door from damage and increase its energy efficiency. Vinyl finishes may not be perfect, but if you want a wood door with all the maintenance hassle, then vinyl doors are right for you. To get started, take a look at HomeAdvancement’s helpful links to find a home improvement professional near you.
