Choosing an entry door for your home may appear to be a pretty straightforward task, but at times, it may not be as simple as that. Apart from selecting the right design, you need to know enough to choose one that’s made of the right material, because choosing the wrong type could have a significant long-term impact on your home – in more ways than one.

However, with so many different types of doors available on the market, how would you know which one is best for your home?

Every type of material used to manufacture entry doors has its particular advantages, from price to design and durability. The key to choosing the right type of material is not in the material itself, but in your particular environment.

Here are some questions that will help you decide on which type of material to choose:

1. Are you concerned about the security situation in your area?

If security is a major factor, then you’ll need to pick a material that provides you with the greatest sense of security. Steel entry doors are currently the toughest in the market, making them a great choice.

PART I : FACTORS AFFECTING THE MATERIAL’S ABILITY: THE QUESTIONS TO ASK

2. Is your location prone to weather disturbances, or does the climate in your area have a tendency to reach both extremes?

Many people prefer wood or wood composite for their entry doors, but wooden doors have a tendency to warp when exposed to extreme climates. Wood also has a tendency to fade if it is exposed to direct sunlight. If climate is your main consideration in decision making, then it’s best that you keep wood doors off your list of choices.

3. Is cost a major factor when choosing an entry door?

Wood is certainly the most expensive type of material. If you’re on a tight budget, consider instead materials such as steel or wood composite.

4. Do you need an entry door that has the best insulation properties?

The hottest phrase among consumers today is “energy efficient.” One of the most energy efficient materials used for entry doors is fiberglass. In fact, fiberglass doors are 5x more energy efficient than wooden doors.

PART I : FACTORS AFFECTING THE MATERIAL’S ABILITY: THE QUESTIONS TO ASK

The key to choosing the right material for your entry door is to examine your environment to identify what type of material you really need. If your potential entry door’s qualities are well-suited to your environment, then there is very little chance that you would be making the wrong choice.

Choosing from among a wide variety of materials may not be the ideal situation for some people. They would prefer to go with entry doors made from familiar, traditional, or what we can classify as conventional materials. After all, if a particular type of entry door has been around for decades and is still being used today, then that door type must really be reliable. If you’re this type of person, the next post in this series will provide more information on conventional materials for entry doors – so stay tuned!

PART I : FACTORS AFFECTING THE MATERIAL’S ABILITY: THE QUESTIONS TO ASK

Wood, steel, and fiberglass entry doors have been on the market for quite some time. While wood and steel doors have been around for much longer, fiberglass is likewise considered a conventional material, as it’s now been around for over 25 years.

If you prefer to purchase an entry door made from traditional – i.e., tried-and-tested materials – instead of having to learn all the properties of the newer types of materials available today, then this information about the three most common entry door materials should interest you:

WOOD

Out of the three traditional entry door materials, wood has been on the market the longest – solid wood that is. These days, when we talk about wooden doors, we need to be careful to distinguish between solid wood and wood composite.

If you prefer solid wood doors, keep in mind that they will require plenty of maintenance. This is because they have a tendency to warp, twist, peel, bubble out, and fade over time. Solid wood doors are also a bit wanting in the energy efficiency department.

PART 2: CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS FOR ENTRY DOORS

However, nothing beats wood when it comes to providing a high-end, sophisticated look. Entry doors made from other materials often seek to duplicate the beautiful grain of real wood, but perfecting the look of the original is nearly impossible.

STEEL

When it comes to durability and security, steel is still the best choice. No other type of material even comes close when it comes to those two factors. However, steel, like wood, is not very energy efficient as it conducts heat and cold. Many manufacturers today have provided a solution to this problem by adding insulation inside the steel panels.

One of the best things to consider about steel doors is that they are very cheap to maintain. They may be scratched occasionally, but fixing a scratch costs next to nothing. As long as you ensure that your steel door doesn’t rust, it can last for a long time.

PART 2: CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS FOR ENTRY DOORS

FIBERGLASS

When it comes to low maintenance, fiberglass wins, hands down. Fiberglass will not rot, rust, or deteriorate. It won’t warp, twist, or bow. It can resist dents and scratches (to some degree) effectively as well. Most of all, fiberglass doors have the lowest prices and highest insulation value, and they are highly energy efficient.

However, when it comes to contributing to your home’s value, fiberglass doors won’t make much of a contribution, unlike wooden doors do.

Conventional materials are great for some people, but there are also those who prefer entry doors made with all the bells and whistles that the latest technologies have brought to the table. In Part III, we’ll discuss the newer types of materials used in the manufacture of entry doors.

PART 2: CONVENTIONAL MATERIALS FOR ENTRY DOORS

You may have noticed that many entry doors in the market today are made from PVC or the newer, increasingly popular Fibrex material. You may also be wondering if these types of doors would be the best choice for your home. In the final part of this series, we’ll take a closer look into these types of materials to help you make that all-important decision.

PVC Entry Doors: The Pros & Cons

PVC doors have become popular among homeowners who love to take on DIY (do-it-yourself ) projects, as they often come in stock sizes, styles, and finishes. The primary advantage of PVC doors is their affordability. They also offer considerable weather resistance, making them very easy and cheap to maintain. They will not change shape or appearance, and even come in different finishes. Furthermore, they are known to have a respectable life span.

However, their main disadvantage is that they won’t help increase the value of your home as much as you want to. Moreover, even if they are generally weather-resistant, they still have a tendency to become brittle and fade over time.

PART 3: PVC AND FIBREX

Fibrex: Is It Worth Your Time and Money?

Fibrex is one of the newest types of materials used in windows and doors. It is made from a combination of one part polymer and three parts wood, so it’s basically a vinyl/wood combination.

Fibrex is twice as strong as PVC. Thus, it can better retain its stability and shape in all types of climates. Its color or finish is blended with the material itself, making it last longer. Additionally, the material will not rot or decay, has excellent insulation factors, and is a sustainable type of material.

However, since Fibrex is still a new type of material, there is still not much information available on its limitations. Fibrex can cost a bit more, but it’s considered great value for money.

. . . . . .

With the information we have provided in this e-book series, we hope that you will be able to find the best entry and exterior doors for your home – something that’ll suit your every need.

PART 3: PVC AND FIBREX

Renewal by Andersen of Milwaukee

1510 Paramount Drive Waukesha WI 53186

11412 N. Port Washington RdMequon WI 53092

(262) 955-8400(877) 977-3639

RBAMilwaukee.com