Why Fiberglass Entry Doors are Awesome!
You may have heard the phrase – “You never get a second chance to make a first impression,” and that is definitely the case with your home’s front door. One of the most popular options homeowners have been using is the fiberglass entry door. While there are definitely options as to what kind of door you want – from the construction to design – fiberglass entry doors are the best choice and meet the most needs of folks looking to replace their front door. What makes fiberglass doors so awesome? Read on and you’ll see for yourself!
Stand the Test of Time: Fiberglass Front Doors are Durable
The composition of fiberglass itself lends to the durability of the products in which it is used. Fiberglass doors are extremely popular in areas of the country with weather extremes and harsh climates. If you go from extreme heat to mountains of snow in sub-zero temperatures just a few months later, a fiberglass entry door is perfect for you. Doors made of fiberglass will not warp or swell with the changes in temperatures, so no more struggling to push open or pull closed your wooden doors when the heat rises! These doors are designed to last a lifetime, withstanding not just the weather, but day to day use. Fiberglass entry doors resist wear and tear better than steel doors, for example, and are not prone to dings and dents. As a result, fiberglass doors won’t rust and will maintain their durability and longevity.
Relax: Fiberglass Entry Doors are Maintenance-Free
Once your fiberglass door is installed, all you have to do is enjoy it. As mentioned above, the fiberglass material is rust resistant and won’t dent and dig, so you don’t have to worry about knocking things into the door and leaving a mark. Wood doors may not dent and potentially rust like steel doors, but wood needs to be treated and repaired over time to maintain its look. Wood doors, when exposed to the elements can fade, splinter, expand, bow and twist and often need to be re-stained or re-sealed. Fiberglass doors, on the other hand require no upkeep.
Enjoy Lower Energy Bills: Fiberglass Entry Doors are Well-Insulated
One of the other great advantages to entry doors made of fiberglass is their insulating properties. The doors themselves have a framework of wood and are filled with a polyurethane foam insulation. This insulation adds to the overall energy efficiency of the home, as well as the comfort level.
When comparing fiberglass entry doors to steel doors, you will find some steel doors also have foam insulation. However, steel itself is an excellent conductor so the surface of the door may feel extremely cold in the winter and hot in the summer. Solid wood doors won’t necessarily be cool or hot to the touch, but they do not have foam insulation, so they are considered less energy efficient than fiberglass.
You Don’t Have to Sacrifice Beauty with Your Fiberglass Entry Doors
One of the best things about fiberglass front doors is their appearance. The technology with fiberglass has come a long way, so much so that many people can’t tell the difference between a fiberglass door and a wood door! There are many different grains available, so you can match any existing wood in your home and choose from oak, cherry and knotty alder grains to name a few and then the possibilities of staining are endless. Some fiberglass doors can also be designed with one grain/stain color on the inside of the door and another on the exterior, so you can truly design a custom entry door to complement your home and be a lovely focal point.
Decorative Glass Options for Your New Fiberglass Door
The look of your fiberglass entry door can be enhanced in other ways too – if all the grain and color options weren’t enough. If you wanted to dress up the door even more, and let some light into your home, you could consider choosing some decorative glass for the door. Decorative glass comes in a variety of styles to match your décor and depending on the style of glass, or the size of the area you choose to add glass, you can let in a great deal of light and more easily see outside. Some homeowners like this little “preview” so they can see what or who is outside before opening the door!
Now, if you have an entry door with sidelights, there are even more decisions to make. You can choose a door to have glass to match the sidelights, or you can have a solid door and only use glass in the sidelights. Fiberglass entry doors with sidelights offer the best of both worlds – a strong, durable, maintenance-free door with beauty and light coming in on the sides. Regardless of the choice you make, you will no doubt enjoy your entry door system for years and years!
Fiberglass Entry Door Prices
As just mentioned, there are a variety of options available when designing your entry way and picking the perfect fiberglass door. The range of price is therefore quite broad. You could be in the $2000-$3000 range for a stand-alone fiberglass door with no glass and basic hardware. When you start adding in more decorative glass you could be looking at $4000-$5000 and then up to $10,000 if you are also adding in sidelights and/or transom windows above the door itself.
The good news is that no matter the cost, replacing an old door with a more energy efficient one that is properly installed will start saving you on your heating and cooling bills right away. You can say goodbye to the towels at the bottom of the door to block the draft. Fiberglass entry door prices may seem steep, but they are generally more affordable than solid wood doors. While steel doors are the most affordable, you lose some of the beauty and some of the energy efficient properties that the fiberglass doors offer.
Fiberglass entry doors are a great option when replacing your entry door and updating your home’s appearance. Once installed, no maintenance required and you won’t have anything to do but enjoy the look and feel of real wood and the greater energy efficiency that comes with it. You’ll be sure to give your neighbors Door Envy with whatever fiberglass entry door you design!
