How to Choose Between Steel and Fiberglass Exterior Doors
When selecting a new exterior door, homeowners face an important decision between steel and fiberglass options. Both materials make durable and secure entryways, yet they differ significantly in cost, appearance, weather resistance, maintenance needs, and other factors. Carefully weighing the pros and cons of steel and fiberglass is key to picking the best exterior door type for your home.
Read on for an in-depth look at how these two popular exterior door materials stack up.
Durability and Strength
If your main priority is an ultra-sturdy door that can withstand years of heavy use, steel is hard to top. Steel doors are incredibly durable, resisting dents, scratches, and physical impacts much better than many other options. The thick gauge steel used in quality exterior doors makes them capable of handling all sorts of bumps and bangs without showing signs of damage.
Fiberglass doors are also durable, but not quite as indestructible as steel. While resistant to warping and moisture damage, fiberglass can be more prone to denting from impacts. For higher traffic entryways, steel offers superior durability and strength.
Weather Resistance
When it comes to standing up to the elements, fiberglass doors have a clear advantage. The bonded fiberglass material is designed to endure exposure to all types of weather conditions year after year. From UV rays to pounding rain and snow, fiberglass doors maintain their appearance and structural integrity regardless of the climate.
Steel doors do not hold up nearly as well when left exposed to the outdoor elements over time. Without proper maintenance, steel is susceptible to rusting, corrosion, and breakdown of the finish. In wet climates or seaside locations, a steel door can rapidly deteriorate if not given sufficient protection.
Energy Efficiency
For exterior doors that improve your home's energy efficiency, fiberglass is the top choice. The thick, rigid foam core sandwiched inside a fiberglass door makes it excellent at insulating and preventing heat loss. Fiberglass doors reduce drafts, keep heated or cooled indoor air from escaping, and can lower energy costs.
Steel, on the other hand, readily conducts heat and cold. A steel door without extra insulation will do little to control energy costs. The metal material transfers temperature so well that a steel door can become burning hot to the touch on a sunny day.
Appearance and Customization
Fiberglass pulls ahead of steel when it comes to aesthetic appeal and customization. The fiberglass door construction process allows embedding color throughout the door rather than just applying a surface finish. This means the vibrant color won't chip or peel off over time.
Fiberglass manufacturers offer extensive design options from classic wood looks to sleek modern styles. Steel doors have a narrower range of color and style choices by comparison. For contemporary visual flair rather than a utilitarian vibe, fiberglass offers more flexibility.
Security
In terms of security, steel doors enjoy a solid reputation for being virtually impenetrable. The rigid, ultra-strong steel makes breaking down a steel door difficult for intruders. But fiberglass doors are also highly resistant to forceful entry due to their composite construction.
Both steel and fiberglass provide adequate security for residential use when properly installed. Reinforced lock areas allow either material to resist kicking in or lock picking. For most homeowners, factors like quality locks are more important than door material for security.
Cost and Value
One of the most compelling factors favoring steel doors is affordability. Steel doors cost significantly less upfront than fiberglass. This makes them appealing for cost-conscious homeowners and those on a tight budget for renovations or new construction.
Yet the higher initial price of a fiberglass door can pay off in the long run through energy savings. Less heat loss means lower utility bills each month. Fiberglass pricing also depends on the level of customization, with more elaborate modifications driving the cost up.
Maintenance Requirements
Caring for a fiberglass door over years of use takes less time and hassle than maintaining a steel door. Fiberglass cleans up easily with just soap and water due to the non-porous surface. It retains its durable finish without needing frequent refinishing.
Steel doors are magnets for dirt, grime, and rust that require much more hands-on maintenance. The finish needs periodic repainting or restaining. Rust prevention requires inspecting for damage and careful upkeep. Overall, fiberglass doors hold up beautifully with minimal maintenance.
Environmental Impact
The manufacturing process for steel doors emits significant greenhouse gases that can contribute to climate change. Smelting and working steel involves burning large amounts of fossil fuels. The mining operations needed to extract iron and coal also take an environmental toll.
Fiberglass doors have a much more eco-friendly footprint, as they incorporate recycled glass and other materials. Far fewer emissions and pollutants are generated in manufacturing fiberglass doors. For the environmentally conscious homeowner, fiberglass is the greener choice.
The differences between steel and fiberglass doors largely come down to upfront affordability versus long term benefits. Cost-conscious buyers can save money initially by selecting steel. But fiberglass offers superior weatherproofing, energy efficiency, aesthetic options, and hassle-free maintenance over its lifetime.
Assess your needs in terms of climate, anticipated usage level, desired visual style, and budget. For a basic durable door on a budget, steel makes sense. Those seeking maximum curb appeal, custom styling, and enhanced insulation benefit more from a quality fiberglass door. Carefully weighing these factors lets you pick the ideal exterior door material for your particular home.