The Pros and Cons of Steel, Wood and Fibre Glass Doors
Written by Artisan Contracting on December 21, 2015
The entrance door to your property can come in a variety of shapes, sizes and materials. Each one has its pros and cons when it comes to the aesthetics of your property, security and energy efficiency.
Most entrance doors are made from steel, wood or fibreglass, and each door material has properties that are best for different functions. Bearing this in mind, here are the pros and cons of each door type:
STEEL DOORS
Pros – A steel door is sturdy and one of the most energy efficient of the three different types. As long as the weather conditions aren’t too extreme, it will not be affected – unlike wood, for example, which can warp when it gets wet. This means that they are less maintenance than most other door types, and they can also be less expensive.
Cons – The downsides of a steel door include that they can be easily scratched or dented, which can lead to rust. They are also difficult to stain – unlike other material doors – meaning that they have to be painted, and are also prone to chipping. They are good conductors of either heat or cold.
WOOD DOORS
Pros – Wooden doors can give a stunning finish and owners can accentuate the grain to give a beautiful finish. They can also be stained or painted to give a different finish and to give a tired door a new lease of life. It is also nice to touch, giving a feeling of cosiness and security. Scratches can be easily repaired and the doors are sturdy and difficult to break down.
Cons – Wooden doors do have a certain amount of upkeep that is needed. They can easily get tatty, scratched and weathered, and the finish will fade within a couple of years. It is relatively easy to maintain, however. Wood also absorbs moisture, meaning that the door can rot or warp, and can cause paint to peel or bubble. The wooden door is also the least energy efficient and is usually the most expensive.
FIBRE GLASS DOORS
Pros – Fibre glass doors are very energy efficient, being a great insulator, and require a minimum maintenance, being difficult to scratch, warp or dent. They can be found in a number of styles – with good imitation wood or smooth finishes and can be easily stained or painted. Similar to a wooden door, a fibre glass door is inviting and warm to the touch.
Cons – There aren’t really any cons to a fibre glass door, with the only possible one being that the ´wooden style´ isn’t real wood.
When you are choosing an entrance door for your home, there are a number of things that you should be thinking about. All new doors are fit with the best security features, so the main factors to be considered are its energy efficiency, maintenance and upkeep required and overall look and feel.
Each door type has its pros and cons for use as the entrance to a home. For more information about door types, please get in touch with us today!
