If your home is out-dated or if you’ve just purchased an old one that needs upgrades, it’s time to make some changes that can be of great benefit to you and your wallet. One of the most advantageous updates you can make to your home is by upgrading your front entry doorway, especially if you live in an area that experiences the extremes of both summer and winter.
The Disadvantages of Wood Entry Doors
Wooden doors are at the highest risk of being affected by the weather. Did you know this time of year is when your wooden door will swell due to rising temperatures and humidity? Moisture can also cause a wooden door to warp. In both cases, you may have problems properly closing your door, or will experience air leaks. This can be detrimental to your efforts to cool your home if the cold air is escaping and being replaced with hot air.
Air leaks also mean higher energy bills, as your cooling or heating systems work harder to make up for the fluctuations in temperature. Even if your door is insulated, the warping and swelling of the wood will damage it or nullify any good it could do.
That’s why wood doors take a lot of work to maintain. They constantly need to be refinished in order to properly protect them from the elements. Though many people choose wood for its beauty, a number of them underestimate the work that goes into keeping them looking good.
The Advantages of Fiberglass Entry Doors
Nowadays, it’s easy to get a beautiful looking door that’s made out of fiberglass. In fact, many of them are made to look like wood by using panel embossing to create shadow lines that add to the effect. If your door installation expert designs and manufactures their own products, they can even customize your fiberglass entryway without hassle and at an affordable cost.
Fiberglass doors are durable, rust and corrosion-proof, and designed for thermal efficiency. They are also low maintenance and require little upkeep – especially when compared to wood. A professional, trust-worthy manufacturer will design them with these standard features:
- Maximized door slab surfaces for increased durability and resistance to rust and corrosion
- An energy-efficient aluminum sill system to eliminate frost transfer
- Full-perimeter compression weather stripping that ensures a tight seal
- Thermal break between outside and inside surfaces to eliminate frost and condensation
- If required, pre-drilled slab for passage and deadbolt
- Availability in smooth or textured finishes, as well as stainable door lite frames
- Comes in a wide range of dimensions for almost any sized entryway
You can also get additional features like the installation of a multi-point lock system, which will add to the security of your door.
When you weigh the pros and cons, fiberglass entry doors are a much better option than wood ones. Not only do they look great but they are also energy-efficient, cost-effective, durable, and low maintenance. You can’t go wrong when choosing a fiberglass door to upgrade the look of your entryway.