What are the Common Types and Materials of an Exterior Door?

Your house's exterior door is multifunctional – while it serves as the first line of defense against bad weather, burglars, or unwanted animal intrusion, it also adds an element of style to your home.

It’s an important part of your home’s curb appeal and sets the tone for your house's interior design and how guests feel when they enter.

However, all of these features and functions boil down to two things: the type of the door and the material you use.

There are a few different types of exterior doors to choose from, each with its unique benefits and drawbacks. Let's study these types and materials to simplify this decision.

The Most Common Door Materials

Here is a list of the most common materials used for exterior doors.

1.    Steel

2.    Wood

3.    Fiberglass

Let's study each one briefly and list out the pros and cons.

Steel

One thing is for sure: steel doors offer the best protection against intrusions and burglaries.

Moreover, these types come with an insulated foam core sandwiched around panels on both sides that provide strong shelter from harsh weather conditions as well.

Overall, steel doors are strong and weatherproof, making them ideal for climates that experience severe weather conditions.

However, they can heavy, and difficult to install.

Pros:

●    Solid outlook

●    Foolproof security

●    Waterproof

●    Little Maintenance

Cons:

●    Heavy

●    Complex installation

●    Can cause overheating in hot weather.

Wood

Wood exteriors have been the go-to choice for decades. It's beautiful, customizable, and can withstand any weather conditions with its many types available like pinewood, oak, fir, and many others.

No matter the type of wood, it works well in your home decor - not only do they look good but offer great performance qualities as well!

Overall, wood doors are an excellent choice when aesthetics and durability matter the most, but they do have their drawbacks. For example, wood can sag or warp over time when exposed to external elements.

So, it will require periodic repainting or refinishing.

Pros:

●    Incredible aesthetics

●    Wide range of style options

●    Custom designs

●    Durable

Cons:

●    Requires regular maintenance

●    Can warp or sag over time

Fiberglass

Insulated fiberglass doors are a perfect choice for those who want the benefits of wood without any limitations. These materials can be customized with an array of designs and colors, giving you endless possibilities to create your own style!

As a whole, fiberglass doors are not just aesthetically pleasing but are also energy-efficient, sturdy, and don't need much maintenance.

Owing to their almost harmless functionality, it makes complete sense why they're one popular option among builders today.

Pros:

●    Easy installation

●    Energy efficient

●    Low-maintenance

●    Wide range of style and color options

●    Sturdy

Cons:

●    A bit pricey

Less Common Door Materials

Below are some less commonly used materials for exterior doors.

1.    Aluminum

2.    Vinyl

3.    Wrought Iron

Aluminum

Although aluminum is a popular choice for commercial buildings, it makes for an excellent choice for residential storm doors and patio doors because it’s lightweight and non-corrosive.

Its strength, durability, and energy efficiency is nothing less than steel doors, and it can last much longer.

However, it might be an expensive option for custom design and installation.

Pros:

●    Lightweight

●    Non-corrosive

●    Durable

●    Low maintenance

Cons:

●    Expensive

Vinyl

Vinyl is a popular choice for windows and patio doors because it's affordable, energy-efficient, and available in a wide range of styles. Plus, vinyl doors are practically maintenance-free and can last up to 20 or more years!

However, vinyl is not strong and can easily break upon external force.

Pros:

●    Inexpensive

●    Wide range of style options

●    Maintenance-free

Cons:

●    Not as strong as other materials

●    Can break easily

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron doors are a popular choice for front and patio entranceways as they offer both an attractive appearance to enhance curb appeal and a firm sense of security.

The most exciting feature is their customizability in design patterns that can include glass panes to increase the inflow of natural light.

Overall, wrought iron is a beautiful and sturdy option for exterior doors, but it's also the most expensive.

Pros:

●    Beautiful

●    Sturdy

●    Customizable

●    Added Glass Panes For Light

Cons:

●    Prone to Rusting if not taken care of

Exterior Door Types

Exterior doors come in three types commonly:

1.    Storm Doors

2.    French Patio Doors

3.    Sliding Patio Doors

Storm Doors

A storm door is a great way to add an extra layer of security and insulation to your home, especially if you live in an area that experiences severe weather conditions.

Depending on your needs and location, the following types of storm doors can be installed:

Steel storm doors: Though expensive, steel is a popular choice for storm doors as it's very strong and can withstand high winds and severe weather conditions.

Aluminum storm doors: Aluminum is a popular choice because it's lightweight and non-corrosive. Plus, aluminum does very well in temperature regulation during hot or cold days.

Composite storm doors: Composite doors are suitable for coastal homes where the climate is moderate (not too cold or hot). And although these doors are a little less strong than others, composite doors are incredibly energy-efficient.

French Patio Doors

French patio doors are a great way to increase the elegance of your home and the natural light as well because of the glass insert options.

Moreover, these doors give you the freedom to choose how they open; inwards or outwards and from the left or right.

French patio doors come in a variety of materials, but the most popular ones are made from steel, aluminum, wood, fiberglass, or vinyl.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding patio doors are a trendy type of exterior door because they're easy to open and provide a large opening to the outdoors, just like windows.

They come in various materials, including vinyl, wood, and aluminum, with aluminum being the most popular because it doesn't rust, is lightweight, and needs very little maintenance.

Hire a Quality Door Contractor

By and large, there are plenty of material options and types for your house's exterior doors. However, when choosing a material and type of exterior door for your home, it's essential to do your research and consult with a professional.

That is why we recommend hiring an experienced door installation contractor. A quality contractor will help you find the best door material for your home that fits your needs and budget. Plus, the team will ensure that the door is installed correctly.

So, hire an expert and let him help you choose the best!