Advantages and Disadvantages To Exterior Doors

So you’ve decided you’re ready to buy new exterior doors for your home. But you’re having a hard time figuring out which type of door you want. That’s where Maze Lumber can help!. We're here to give you some of the basic facts you should know when you go to purchase a door.

There are three common exterior doors you can choose from: fiberglass, steel or wood. Each type of door has its advantages and disadvantages.

EXTERIOR FIBERGLASS DOOR

Let’s start with fiberglass doors. Fiberglass doors are energy efficient. These doors offer up to four times the insulation that wood offers. They also require minimal to no maintenance. These doors won’t warp or deteriorate over time like wood can. They also aren’t going to dent or rust as a steel door might. Some people choose not to buy fiberglass because they want the authenticity that wood offers. However, you can order your fiberglass door with a wood grain or smooth finish. Then the doors can be stained or painted. One disadvantage of fiberglass doors is the cost. Fiberglass exterior doors can be double the price of a steel door. Once people hear the price, they sometimes shy away from purchasing.

EXTERIOR STEEL DOOR

Speaking of steel door, they are the next option on our list today. Just like fiberglass doors, they too are energy efficient. However, they aren’t as efficient as fiberglass but they offer good insulating value. Depending on your environment or location, they require less maintenance. Steel doors don’t do well near the water. We wouldn’t recommend them for anyone with waterfront property because they will rust overtime from the moisture. Steel doors can easily be dented as well as scratched. They can be painted, but not stained. Steel exterior doors are not available with a wood grain; they all come with a smooth finish. Their big advantage is they are far less expensive. It’s still a great quality door for about half the price.

EXTERIOR WOOD DOORS

Last, but certainly not least, are beautiful wood doors. Wood doors are seriously hit or miss. People love them because they can give your home that “high-end look.” Like we stated before about wanting authenticity, you can’t get more genuine than with real wood. Wood doors are warm and inviting. People love their natural beauty and are easily drawn to wood doors. If scratched, wood doors are easy to repair because you can simply sand it down and re-finish it. However, wood doors definitely have their disadvantages as well. They require regular maintenance. The finish on a wood door will fade over time. Usually, people who purchase a wood door are told to refinish the door every 1-2 years. Here at Maze Lumber, we also recommend people to consider some sort of overhang to protect the door from precipitation. Wood doors easily absorb moisture and this can cause the door to warp or rot. They are also the least energy efficient out of the three types and can also be very expensive.

Now that you know some facts about exterior doors, come in a take a peek at what we have to offer. We know all doors have their advantages and disadvantages. Ultimately the decision is yours. Take all of these pros and cons into consideration when you go to look for a new door.

Maze Lumber is dedicated to providing our customers with superior service.

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MAZE LUMBER

1100 Water Street

P.O. Box 449

Peru, IL 61354
Phone: 815-223-1742

Fax: 815-223-1752

Hours:

Monday-Friday: 7:30AM - 4:30PM

Saturday: 8:00AM - 12:00Noon

Sunday: Closed