How to select the best front door for your home.
Sun March 20, 2022
A front door needs to do more than look beautiful. It also needs to be tough enough to protect against wind, rain, humidity, sunlight, temperature extremes and even potential intruders.
How your door looks and performs all comes down to its material. There are three main front door materials: wood, steel and fiberglass. Each material offers its own unique aesthetic with varying degrees of durability, security and price.
Learn more about the different door materials and what might be the best fit for you home. 
Wood Doors
Wood doors are the traditional choice for most homeowners; they’re beautiful, durable and completely customizable. The authentic woodgrain is the most notable feature, with many wood options available to complement any home—from teak for a more modern look or a rich mahogany for classic appeal. Door panels, molding and any special feature you want can be crafted into the wood. You can also customize the finish of your door with stain or paint.
However, all that customization comes with a cost: wood doors are generally the most expensive. Another consideration with wood doors is that the wood can shrink, crack and delaminate over time, especially when repeatedly exposed to moisture from the elements. That’s why wood doors require periodic maintenance in the form of repainting or refinishing.
PROS: BEAUTIFUL | DURABLE | OPTIONS
CONS: COST | MAINTENANCE
Steel Doors
Steel doors are the most economical option. But that doesn’t mean sacrificing quality— steel doors have a reputation for being very secure. They’re constructed with steel panels on both sides of a polyurethane core, providing strength along with insulation from the elements. Additionally, steel doors are available in a wide variety of design options, including high-definition panels and decorative glass lites, to complement any home design.
However, the door’s construction can also hinder the durability. If your steel door does dent, it can be hard to repair and will likely not pop out of the material. They are also more likely to scratch and rust more easily. And, since steel doors are value-oriented, many store-bought options arrive unfinished and must be primed and painted prior to installation.
PROS: ECONOMICAL | SECURE | INSULATION | VALUE
CONS: DURABILITY | NOT HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE
Fiberglass Door
Fiberglass doors offer the highest performance with a look that rivals the character of a genuine wood door. The door is constructed from durable, low-maintenance fiberglass panels that resist warping, bowing, scratching and denting while the core is comprised of polyurethane which insulates up to 5x better than a wood door.
Although fiberglass doors are not as customizable as wood doors, they are available in many different design styles and finish options. For instance, fiberglass doors come in a woodgrain texture to mimic the appearance of a real wood door or a smooth texture that’s perfect for painting.
PROS: HIGH PERFORMANCE | LOOKS | LOW MAINTENANCE | INSULATION
CONS: NOT HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE
Aluminum Clad Entry Door
Aluminum Clad Entry Doors can be produced to match window specifications. Allowing the door to appear part of the full window and door package. These doors offer large glass viewing areas, wide color selections, matching grilles and can be combined with the best of the entry door hardware available. Constructed of treated pine wood, with a heavy duty extruded aluminum exterior, these doors are sure to stand up to quite a lot.
PROS: MATCHING WINDOWS | MAINTENANCE FREE | INSULATION
CONS: NOT HIGHLY CUSTOMIZABLE | COST
There’s a lot to consider when selecting your perfect front door. At the end of the day, it all comes down to what matters most to you. If you crave a unique design, require special sizing or simply can’t forego the classic appeal of timber, go with a wood door. If you want a door that looks good but won’t break the bank, stick with steel. For the beauty of wood without the high cost or maintenance, opt for fiberglass.
Give us a call at 847-741-9595 to further review the options for your new front door and get your quote started.
Excerpts taken from Masonite Door. "How to Choose the Best Front Door for Your Home"