Guidelines For Choosing Exterior Door Type

Doors made of wood are highly recommended when they are protected by an overhang and not facing direct sunshine from the east or west. Wooden doors have an aesthetic appeal and add to the feeling of warmth in a home. They also provide an authentic look. However, they require some special care and attention in order to ensure a very long lasting product.

As wood doors are made of natural fibers, there will be some expansion or contraction under different temperatures. Each door will perform differently according to the particular environment in which it is installed. A wood door in a very hot environment may require some periodic maintenance, typically once a year. Protection will vary according to the finish applied.

There are many varieties of styles and finishes available in doors made of wood. Some are offered with impact resistant glass. Please see our Door Samples web page to get an idea of the tremendous variety of wooden doors now available.

Solid wood doors typically provide increased security, longer life, and require less maintenance than those that are not solid wood.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors require little or no maintenance. Many fiberglass doors are now available with the look of wood.

Steel and Other Metals

Steel doors (and doors made of other metal composites) are recommended when there is little or no overhang protection and at patios and front doors when they will be exposed to severe weather conditions. They do not require maintenance, as they are made of galvanized steel or other metal laminate with wood inside.

Steel doors are available in a wide variety of styles, including french doors and hurricane impact resistant types.

Regarding Severe Weather Conditions

As long as a door is installed so it opens outward, it will provide an additional measure of safety and security under severe weather conditions. For example, in high winds, the frame will help protect the door against inward wind force.

In areas such as Miami, Florida, hurricane impact doors provide an extra measure of safety and protection against hurricane force winds. Hurricane impact resistant doors vary in quality. Local governmental entities may offer certifications and approvals of specific door models and brands.

Energy Efficient Doors

Custom fitted doors made with a polystyrene core have been demonstrated to be extremely energy efficient. "Custom fitting" is achieved merely by making a few measurements of the door opening before ordering and installing the door in order to ensure the benefit of the polystyrene core by avoiding air leaks.

The energy efficiency rating of doors varies by latitude. In northern climates, doors are rated as energy efficient when they are built to resist cold weather by keeping indoor heat inside. In southern climates, such as Miami, Florida, doors are rated as energy efficient when they are built to keep heat outside.

New Door Styles

New styles of doors have been introduced with blinds installed internally between two layers of hurricane impact door glass. This provides the additional advantage of not having to dust blinds.

Steel, solid wood, and fiberglass doors with the look of wood, such as mahogany, are now commonly employed in french door styles, both for interior doors, exterior doors, and patio doors.