The US Department of Energy recommends insulated steel or fiberglass doors over wood entry doors to reduce energy bills and waste. Steel accounts for nearly half of new door installations and offers three primary benefits: security, fire resistance, and energy efficiency. Steel doors have a low total cost of ownership compared to other materials, and they are known for their strength, durability, and security.
Fiberglass doors are superior insulators and are suitable for many climates, making them ideal for hot or cold climates. Fire-rated doors and frames play a vital role in keeping people safe and minimizing property damage during a fire. Metal-frame doors must meet the requirements of the International Building and International Fire Codes, as well as NFPA 80.
Steel doors are known for their strength, durability, and security, while timber is the traditional choice for exterior doors. They hold up for longer periods of time in high-use applications, saving commercial building managers time and money. For an exterior door, solid is generally preferable, as they are more secure, durable, and better insulated (especially foamcore).
Exterior doors are almost always made with steel or another type of metal, making them more expensive but much more effective. Steel doors work best as exterior doors due to their resistance to different temperatures and weather conditions. Fiberglass is ideal for security purposes and is more beneficial for industrial or manufacturing facilities. Steel front doors are sturdy, durable, and long-lasting, and a steel and glass front door looks both inviting and protective.
📹 Wood vs Fiberglass vs Steel Exterior Doors | Reeb
Gregg Hoyer explains the pros & cons of wood, fiberglass, and steel doors including customization, durability, and price.
Can any door be an exterior door?
When choosing interior or exterior doors, it’s crucial to consider the difference between the two. Interior doors are designed for privacy, soundproofing, and enhancing home decor, typically lighter and made from materials like composite or hollow-core wood. Exterior doors, on the other hand, are built to withstand elements and offer higher security, made from heavier, more durable materials like solid wood, fiberglass, or metal.
Using an interior door as an exterior one can lead to security risks and potential damage, so it’s essential to choose doors suited to their specific purpose. Although it’s possible to buy interior doors with pre-cut hinges, it’s essential to consider these key factors before converting them into exterior doors.
Are wood doors OK for exterior?
In selecting an exterior door material, it is essential to consider a number of factors, including performance, design flexibility, and natural beauty. While fiberglass doors may perform well, high-quality wood doors offer the optimal balance of performance and durability. In order to identify the optimal selection, it is recommended to undertake a test drive of the door in question and to evaluate the durability and design flexibility of the wood.
What is a good substitute for steel?
Aluminum is a popular metal that can corrode, a process involving the oxidization and corrosion of iron. Although it doesn’t rust, it can affect appearance rather than structural integrity. Stainless steel, on the other hand, can corrode but is more resistant and easier to clean. Aluminum is generally cheaper than steel and is lighter but less dense, making it more necessary in certain situations. Despite its advantages, aluminum’s corrosive nature may affect its durability.
Are steel exterior doors better than wood?
Steel doors offer smoother operation, minimal annual upkeep, and energy savings compared to wood doors. They also last for years, provide additional security, and enhance the exterior beauty of your home. UpscaleLivingMag. com highlights four benefits of installing a security door:
Prevents Easy Access: Burglars often seek easy targets, so security doors deter them by requiring special tools and making more noise.
Durable and Robust: Steel or wrought iron doors are virtually indestructible, unlike wood or plastic framed doors. Most are drill-proof, making it harder for intruders to gain access. They can be fitted with deadbolts and non-removable pin hinges, adding an extra layer of security. Heavy-duty key locks are almost impossible to break through, making them an essential addition to your home’s security.
Do exterior doors have to be steel?
Upgrading your entry door can be overwhelming due to the numerous options available. Common materials for front or exterior doors include steel, fiberglass, and wood. Each material offers unique advantages, such as style and durability. Steel is more stylish, while fiberglass is more durable. Provia Fiberglass doors are durable and have reinforcements, making them resistant to chipping or denting. Choose the door material that best fits your home’s architecture, personal style, and budget.
Additionally, consider adding features like sidelights, decorative glass, or protective storm doors to enhance natural sunlight flow and protect against storms. By considering these factors, you can find the perfect door for your home and ensure a secure and stylish entryway.
Are wooden external doors safe?
Wooden doors are generally considered more secure than uPVC doors, depending on the specific needs and level of security. For the most robust security, a solid wooden door with various features is the best option. However, if you’re on a budget or live in a low-crime area, a well-made uPVC door may suffice. Wooden doors are more susceptible to rot, warping, and cracking, making them easier to break into. They also require more maintenance, such as regular painting or staining.
Composite doors, made from a combination of materials, are a modern, strong, durable, and weather-resistant entrance solution. Composite doors offer a more cost-effective and secure alternative to traditional wooden doors.
What is the best material for an exterior front door?
Fiberglass is a durable, low-maintenance, and weather-resistant type of front door suitable for homes with children or pets. It is durable, resistant to extreme weather conditions, and customizable, offering endless design flexibility. Fiberglass doors do not require regular painting, staining, or sealing, saving time and effort. They feature polyurethane-insulated cores, providing exceptional protection against the elements and reducing heat transfer. The average fiberglass exterior door offers five times the insulation value of a wooden door.
Despite their higher initial cost, fiberglass doors offer a return on investment of about 82, making them a great choice for budget-conscious homeowners. However, they can fade over time, especially when exposed to direct sunlight. High-quality doors can help prevent color fading and cracking, which can be difficult to repair and may require professional help.
In conclusion, fiberglass is a durable, low-maintenance, and weather-resistant option for homes. It offers durability, resistance to extreme weather conditions, and customization options, making it a great choice for those looking for a durable and cost-effective door.
Should exterior doors be solid?
Exterior doors are designed with a solid core construction, consisting of wood or woodgrain cores surrounded by layers of steel or metal for maximum temperature control and security. Interior doors are lighter and thinner, often featuring a hollow core. Honeycombed core doors offer greater sound resistance and thermal insulation, making them a better option than hollow core doors. Exterior doors are also constructed with optimal insulation capabilities, with multilayered constructions featuring insulation. Steel doors, for example, often have foam cores to regulate temperature.
Can I use a solid core door for the exterior?
Interior doors are typically lighter and more uniform in construction than exterior doors, but they are not suitable for entry doors that come in contact with the exterior. They are designed for unique purposes and can cause rapid wear and tear, high heating bills, and increased wear and tear. Automation is crucial for exterior doors, as many come with automatic opening buttons due to their heavy construction. The American National Standards Institute (ANSI) and the Builders Hardware Manufacturers Association (BHMA) set guidelines for door features, including opening speed and automation level.
Interior doors, on the other hand, may not need to fully comply with automation requirements but rather focus on aesthetics, offering a variety of styles that can be tailored to the home’s overall design and architecture.
What is the alternative to steel doors?
Aluminum interior doors are typically cheaper than steel due to their welded construction and fewer operations required. However, the cost of steel also depends on the brand and manufacturer. Established brands like Crittall® offer quality assurance, while smaller, independent manufacturers may not provide the same level of product peace of mind. Steel is typically slimmer due to its welded construction, allowing for slimmer frames than aluminum. The choice of brand and manufacturer also plays a role in the cost.
The slimmer product also depends on the brand and the type of aluminium steel-look doors being compared against. Glazing bars are essential for creating the desired grid-like pattern, making aluminium doors classic and timeless. Overall, the choice between aluminum and steel interior doors depends on personal preference and budget.
Are most exterior doors metal?
Wood, steel, and fiberglass are popular exterior door materials. Wood is preferred due to its traditional appearance and natural appeal. Metal or steel doors are budget-friendly, while fiberglass is durable and comes in various styles. Choose the material based on energy efficiency, security concerns, and home style. To enhance security, add door chains or install an all-metal security door. Wood doors are ideal for traditional homes with entryways sheltered from the elements and are available in premium hardwood and pine. They are heavy, dent-resistant, and can be designed with or without glass insets. Regular maintenance, including repainting, is necessary to maintain their appearance.
📹 Doors 101 – Cost + What They Are Made Of
In this episode of the build show we’ve got a brand new format called “Build Show LIVE”. We’re going to show you cutaways of all …
I have this type of door, a wooden frame and a steel surface (Steel Exterior Doors). Maybe filled with some foam. 36 in x 80 in x 1-3/4 in. After 30 years of use, they need a new color. What temperature can such a door withstand? The powder coating is fired at 160 – 240 degrees of Celsius (320 – 460 Farenheit). I was warned that at such a temperature the door could undergo some deformation. Problem is that in my region (Slovakia, Europe) doors presented by article cannot be bought. What is your recommendation?
Years ago I build a concrete block house with two exterior doors. I used simple commercial doors and painted them with epoxy. One was solid wood and one steel with cemented in steel frames. During construction a homeless man broke in using a cement block on the steel door knob. Since it was winter and the heating system was not installed yet he moved on. I replaced the knob and moved the blocks inside. Later, after I moved, I came home to find a size 13 shoe print on my wood door with no observable damage except the mud on the paint, I think someone had to make a trip to the hospital.
The biggest problem with any door is when the painters remove them and remove the hinges. They will either not get them set in the mortise correctly or they will strip the hinge screws. It doesn’t matter how well the door is built. The painters WILL mess them up. I have been a trim carpenter for 35 years and have seen this thousands of times. You should do a short article about this problem
I sold a few solid veneered oak doors panel for like $350-500 a piece at Home Depot. Oak veneer was cheaper than pine somehow which didn’t make any sense but it was the case, REEB is a brand we deal with for Special order that I love because they sell multiple brands and do machining themselves and like this brand they can do anything you want if you ask and are really good at what they do. Where as the more common is jeld-wen which is decent and can do good stuff but not as good logistics and consistency assembly wise.
The first door you showed that you said don’t buy. I agree as a door but you can buy them as wall panels. You can make a jig for the skill saw and cut the two halves apart and get 2 nice wainscoting style wall panels out of them. I saw a whole wall get done that way once. It’s sounds tacky but with some additional trim is was a really nice accent wall.
I bought woodworking equipment and learned how to make solid (pine) wood paneled doors for my home to replace the existing CNC-milled MDF doors. I prefer the authentic look and feel for these doors. I look at and use the doors every day, and the engineered stuff just feels so fake. Solid wood doesn’t move as much as these production companies make you think.
Great introductory article. Interesting that I did not see the low-cost door that we had in our 700sf 2br-1ba 1952 New Jersey “Cape”: A simple 1 3/8″ x 30″ x 80″ hollow-core birch veneer flush slab with painted clamshell casing and cylindrical lockset. Pop put a clear finish on the slab and we has an attractive, no-frills, simple door that worked well and added a desirable contemporary touch of wood to the interior decor. Not exactly an architectural award winner but it did NOT attempt to “fake” a phony panel and stile. When we sold the house in 2005, it still had the same doors and they had survived a half-century of use in near as-new condition. Overall this home, which dated from the early days of production tract house construction and was by-and-large short on embellishments, was built very well and easy to maintain over time. It was a very adaptable “starter home” that my frugal parents never really wanted to move up from.
My family has been in the real estate business my whole life. Mostly rentals and doing remodels. I’ve personally been involved for the past 22yrs and now have my own business. Remodels and rentals have been the norm and now I’m getting into new construction. Matt I just want to thank you you for the amount of knowledge and building science that you give out for free on The Build show and The Build Show Network. You could very easily charge for your knowledge that you have gained over the years of being in the trenches. I feel like you can always learn something to make yourself and your craft better if you have an open mind. Thanks again for putting these platforms together and sharing with us.
From EU, Poland perspective. Man, nearly each YT article shot indoors (private houses) I can see & can tell straigh away from which contury does it come from. 90% of doors look like this crap on the far left side! The budget ones, and this is rich USA correct? Look at portadoors.com/ (made in Poland, hey these old “funny” polish jokes right) and they look super mordern, are not made of plastic modl and you can choose from many, many. Hinges? Well like hidden ones I have. If you want fully flush with door frame? No problem. Doors+frame that is 100% flush with wall? No problem (like you cut a piece of wall with a jig saw and add hidden hinges). I bet that this promo article coverd just a fraction of the offer they have (the ones in tha background on the left for example) but still most US homes has got to have these budget ones with air cavity inside (that is also the case of the cheepest in here) and this common, old looking pattern (far left), you can buy them in any colour provided it is white ;-)? Roof windows and doors? Fakro.pl – also polish company. Superb quality and veriaty of models to choose from.
i have a question about the requirements of door warranties. in this article, they said that the warranty requires painting the door on all 6 sides. but when you have an exterior door, the bottom of the door is usually covered, by a door sweep or door bottom that is kerfed, glued and/or stapled to the bottom of the door. are you expected to remove and reattach the door sweep/bottom so that you can paint the bottom of the door?
Over the years of living in a large city I’ve seen the curbs lined with amazing amounts of old growth millwork and lumber and especially doors being stacked up to be thrown out now I guess they have to use dumpsters but it just seemed like whenever somebody went into an old house to renovate the first thing they did was tear out all those wonderful six and eight panel longleaf pine doors and yes they were probably tossed because of paint flaking and chipping and looking horrendous but with a little bit of effort you can burn off the paint of those doors to the point where you can feather the rest out and have yourself a first rate piece of millwork
FINALLY !!!! KUDO’s BMC I can’t tell you how many freaking times where builders don’t want the top or buttom of the doors painted. There is your warranty issue right THERE!! :_BuildToolsNAILEDIT::_BuildToolsNAILEDIT::_BuildToolsNAILEDIT: Excellent explained from BMC :_BuildToolsNAILEDIT::_BuildToolsNAILEDIT::_BuildToolsNAILEDIT: But one question wasn’t in this. Can you get your doors also without hinges and without the US door hardware, I am asking because I do want to use European Security door systems within the sold exterior doors so they do have 6 pin interlock into the steel door frame, yes steel door frames will be used.
Can any American company make a front door with 8 to ten deadbolts with a steel frame for a front door. I saw this in Sicily IT, it amazed me but they go through walls to break into your house in Sicily. Had friends have this happen on there bungalow. Matt about a fire rated door, but the walls won’t handle 20 minutes of burn will they?
My East Texas house has a built in tornado shelter with 12″ thick concrete reinforced walls and ceiling. The guy I bought it from removed the fire door, cut it in half and made it into a shelf in the garage. Been trying to get a door slab for months. A suggsetion is to not cut your $1000 dollar door in half. Just saying.
Did I miss the 150 mph hurricane rated part? Inspectors in my area are dictating what they deem a 150 mph door, regardless of sticker rating. It matters in Florida. Condensating, air tight doors, not so much. I found the fingerjoint and poplar frame options humorous. Oh wait, this is interior…or is it?
Good vid, but what is with that loud and annoying calypso/bongo/xylophone music during the custom door segment???? It was so distracting and I really wanted to hear what the guy was saying, but I couldn’t. Can’t turn up the volumn to hear the talking because then the music gets louder. This was really and interesting subject for me and I would have liked to have concentrated more on hearing what was said instead of trying to ignore the ‘music’.
Somebody get this man a real earpiece monitor. Matt brings the quality articles, his A/V equipment should match his building standards. Also lol on the handtool that is zip-tied to the 1,000,000 machine. If I am not mistaken 1,000,000 is chump change for these guys. It is funny to see where some corporations choose to skimp out.
good article. it is really informative. i do think that you should have said it was a sponsored article, even though it obviously was. by the way, it is not called a “drop down sill”, it is called an “automatic door bottom”. they are made by several companies in addition to pemko. you generally use them when you are concerned about air intrusion. for sound reduction, i would think that a door sweep would suffice.
Wow that Walnut door with the round top is so beautiful you could design a house around that one door just gorgeous I’m just wondering what kind of finish I would put on top of that door maybe even a standard antique shellac I’m sure someone would have a suggestion on what product would look and last the best even if it’s just boiled linseed oil with a dash of cobalt
I would love to see you cut apart a door from one of the big box stores, and then cut apart BMC’s equivalent door. Do a article on the difference between the two because the BMC doors seem like they are more costly. I’m sure they are superior to the big box store brands, but would like to see why. Great stuff!!
Why “don’t buy the cardboard door”? It plugs the hole, looks nice and I can smash it when I’m drunk and not injure myself, have fun, and get a new one for the price of a lunch. I understand buying good things when it’s something close to the body, but a door? Look at Japanese – their swords cost more than the houses.
choosing solid core doors doesn’t have to be for reasons like “I want to pass down this house to a family member” it can be just for the sake of chosing quality over cheap and easy. remember your home value is a whole of its parts. Being able to say “solid core doors throughout” is a great selling point. would you rather hear the home has 2×4 framing or 2×6 or even 2×8 framing? for me metal exterior doors and solid wood interior doors is the best option.
I think rather than use any finger jointed trim or molding I would rather use a plastic or PVC and even fypon style trim as far as not being able to see all the finger joints and durability especially on exterior applications but I don’t know 100 extra dollars for three pieces of poplar for door casings will not casings for door jambs sounds a little extravagant I don’t know
When Matt was talking about a 200 Year door and the other gentleman said yeah it will last 200 years if it has maintenance but in my opinion a good product will last or at least be restorable without any maintenance whatsoever I mean my job that I do with complete exterior renovation is that when I have good solid long leaf pine trim with siding that is produced from dense old growth timber I’m able to take a house that had no maintenance for 50 years or longer and take it back to its original Glory only because of it s quality lumber that’s why I think these doors being so stable should last without any maintenance whatsoever as long as they’re not taking on water
the cited $10,000 price for the walnut custom door (which doesn’t really appeal to me) shown in this article is a lot of money. but it is worth noting that if you get into “exclusive” custom european doors, you could easily be looking at $20,000 or more. european doors are typically a bit more complex, and have more in them, than is usually the case with US doors, but you get the idea.
@mattrisnger. You recommend a solid core door for your famous hidden doors leveraging those sugatsune hinges. Are you specifying wood core, particle board or one of the full wood details. Can you confirm, please and thank you! Imagining no stiles or rails are needed when you are cladding the door with cedar slats.! Love your website and has helped me with my first remodel on a simple 1920’s foursquare in Columbus, OH…!!!
Hey Matt, I would like to replace with IPE vs Cedar rainscreen vs shiplap siding. I want one and am so confused. Sacramento Ca area. I have a house face with brick, hardie planks and cedar facing the house… add the stucco everywhere else and yeah a hodgepodge. The 🏠 is a 412 pitched roof with an off set garage with the same.
Romans 3:23 For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God; Hebrews 9:27 And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgment: Isaiah 64:6 But we are all as an unclean thing, and all our righteousnesses are as filthy rags; and we all do fade as a leaf; and our iniquities, like the wind, have taken us away. Revelation 21:8 But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the abominable, and murderers, and whoremongers, and sorcerers, and idolaters, and all liars, shall have their part in the lake which burneth with fire and brimstone: which is the second death. Romans 5:8 But God commendeth his love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. John 3:16 For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. John 14:6 Jesus saith unto him, I am the way, the truth, and the life: no man cometh unto the Father, but by me. Romans 10:9-10. That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation. John 5:24 Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. 1John 5: 10-13 He that believeth on the Son of God hath the witness in himself: he that believeth not God hath made him a liar; because he believeth not the record that God gave of his Son.