Fiberglass Vs. Steel Doors: Comparing Entrance Doors

 Whether you’re a homeowner who’s planning on a home makeover to change things up, or you want to renovate your new home before you move in, one of the first things on your list has to be your entryway. A front door is a key feature to your house’s public face—it’s the first thing that you or any visitors will see when looking at the house from the outside, and first impressions can be lasting.

With so many options for new front doors available in the market, you’re likely to get overwhelmed before you can narrow down your choices. Exterior doors need to fulfill a lot more demands than interior doors—they need to provide adequate privacy, security, insulation, and protection from the elements, all while meshing with the rest of your home’s aesthetic and elevating its overall beauty.

Homeowners didn’t have many options for exterior doors in the past and mainly relied on wood. However, fiberglass and steel exterior doors have started rising in popularity over the past few years. Here’s everything you need to know to choose between the two!

 

Fiberglass vs. steel door construction

Interior and exterior doors are differentiated by one main aspect—an insulating core that’s present within the slab of the door. Fiberglass doors are also known as “fiberglass composite doors” or just “composite doors.” Made up of fiberglass-reinforced plastic with a polyurethane insulating core and hardwood framework, these doors can closely emulate the texture of different materials through cutting-edge technology and manufacturing techniques.

Steel doors aren’t constructed completely out of steel since that would make it too heavy to operate or even install. The bulk of an exterior steel door’s concentration is made up of a polyurethane or polystyrene core that’s encased in a steel shell ranging from 20 to 26 gauges of thickness. While they are extremely sturdy, steel doors aren’t the impenetrable barriers one would assume they would be from the name.

Fiberglass vs. steel door aesthetics

Both fiberglass and steel doors increase curb appeal. One of the main differences is that fiberglass doors can be both painted and stained, while steel doors can’t be stained. Fiberglass doors can also be made so that they’re almost indistinguishable from real wood, which is extremely appealing to those who want to achieve a more classic or traditional look.

Composite and steel doors are both available in many different designs and styles. They can accommodate the addition of glass panels of various transparencies, shapes, and proportions, with both inswinging and outswinging models—if you aren’t pairing your front door with a storm door, keep in mind that outswinging doors can withstand moisture and wind better than inswinging.

Decorative details such as transoms and sticking can make your entryway even more appealing and invite in some natural light that will brighten up your entire home.

Fiberglass vs. steel door performance

Fiberglass doors are better insulators than steel doors and are suitable for many different climates—wet or dry, hot or cold. Steel doors are susceptible to rust in wet climates. They tend to transfer heat, making fiberglass the superior choice for homes in places with a larger degree of seasonal fluctuations of temperature. However, both materials are much more resilient than wood.

Fiberglass vs. steel door cost

With their amazing versatility, performance, and strength, fiberglass doors have a higher price point than steel doors, but steel doors are a great addition for people who are buying their own home for the first time due to their stout security and striking looks and their 90% return on investment.

It’s important to consider the cost of installing the door as well! DIYers find it easier to handle pre-hung doors since the hardware and framing are included, while the slab takes more work since it only consists of the door by itself, putting the responsibility of ensuring a proper swing and fit on the installer. Either way, considering a front door’s importance in a home, it’s probably best to hire professional door replacement services.

 

Fiberglass vs. steel door maintenance

Fiberglass doors are rather easy to clean—take a soft and moist cloth and wipe the surface clean of any dust or dirt. You can also rinse it down with a pressure washer on its lowest setting or a gentle hose spray.

Steel doors are also very easy to clean due to their smooth surface. Take a clean, damp cloth and wipe it clean before drying it down with another cloth to ensure that it doesn’t rust. Just make sure that you don’t hose it down! If you notice any scratches, tend to them as soon as possible to prevent rusting.

Fiberglass vs. steel door safety

Protection is one of the most important aspects of a front door, often serving as the first deterrent from any invaders or burglars. Fiberglass is a rather lightweight material and is more susceptible to getting manipulated or dented.

Steel doors can’t be topped when it comes to security—their tough, thick exterior can stand up to a lot of pressure. Thieves will find it rather difficult to kick a steel door down.

 

Looking for reliable door replacement services in Pensacola?

EcoView has got you covered! They’re a window and door company that provides beautiful replacements for homeowners in Florida and Alabama. Whether you’re looking for steel doors, fiberglass doors, single-hung windows, or any other kind of energy-efficient window, they’ve got it all. They have a wide variety of colors, styles, and grid patterns available at their store!

They even make use of SOLARFLECT™ technology to make their products energy-efficient and strong to help homeowners lower their energy bills.

Contact them to learn more!