Though doors can be made out of many combinations of materials, the best exterior doors are generally made out of three basic materials: fiberglass, steel, or wood. For more information about the different kinds of materials for exterior doors, check out HomeAdvancement's exterior door guides.
For now, read on to learn about the basics of the best exterior door materials and the best exterior doors for your home.
Steel Exterior Doors
Roughly half of the exterior door market is dominated by steel, and so a steel door is certainly one of the best exterior doors. The least expensive material, steel is generally resistant to the elements and has a good insulating value. Also, high-quality steel can be easily painted for a simple but classy finish. Even though steel is not as strong as fiberglass, and is prone to dents and rust, a properly maintained steel door can still be considered one of the best exterior doors.
Wooden Exterior Doors
As far as the best exterior doors are concerned, nothing is more elegant than a classic, solid wood entry door. Many other materials imitate wood in order to achieve the same warmth and elegance for the home. With countless varieties and species of wood to choose from, a wood door is easy to customize for that unique look that will distinguish you from your neighbors. A wood door can not only be painted, but can also receive a variety of stains and finishes, making it a great material for the creative homeowner. That said, wood is often less resistant to the harsh elements than steel or fiberglass, and it requires constant maintenance to look its best. However, wood is fairly easy to repair, and so it still makes for one of the best exterior doors. In order to enhance your wood door's energy efficiency, try installing a wood-clad steel door, which combines wood's warm appearance with steel's energy efficiency.
Homeowners might want to consider avoiding exterior doors made with tropical wood veneers like luan and mahogany, which are often harvested in a non-sustainable manner. Domestic wood such as cherry and oak are often more sustainably grown and harvested.
Fiberglass Exterior Doors
Fiberglass doors are the flashy hybrids of modern door culture, and so are likely candidates for the best exterior doors for your home. Moderately priced, these tough products resist damage better than steel and require very little maintenance. Additionally, fiberglass doors not only wear finish or stain handsomely, but they also can be textured to imitate authentic wood grains. Though it can crack under intense pressure, a fiberglass door’s cheap price tag, along with its practical utility, qualifies it as one of the best exterior doors.
Be sure to take a look at our helpful database to find contractors who can help you find the best exterior doors.
