With so many different options available on the market, it can be tough to decide what material you want for your new entry doors. To help you with your decision, we'll compare the differences between steel & fiberglass doors, to help you find your perfect fit!
Acing Aesthetics
Let's start with the major difference between steel and fiberglass entry doors. Since the inner frame of both are usually wooden, and the core of both is usually foam, the interior of both steel and fiberglass are most often virtually the same. Instead, the major difference between the two is the outer layer of the door: a steel door has a steel exterior, and a fiberglass door has a fiberglass exterior.
But don't let their names fool you! Both steel and fiberglass doors can be rendered to resemble a wooden door. Steel doors hold paint extremely well, and when finished with a gel-based stain, can have a simulated wood grain cut into them for a wooden appearance.
Fiberglass entry doors can also be camouflaged to look like wooden doors. Recently, technological advances have made it so that wood grains can be simulated on fiberglass. You can even get your fiberglass entry doors stained to custom colours in order to match wood trims, getting the look of wood doors with the added durability of fiberglass!
Defining Durability
The gauge of steel is key when looking at steel doors: the higher the gauge, the thinner the steel. When it comes to home entry doors, 22-gauge steel doors are usually standard, offering the best durability, security, and energy efficient insulation. However, they are more susceptible to dents, which can be hard to repair without professional help.
On the other hand, unless under severe weather circumstances, fiberglass doors won't crack, rust, dent, or warp, resisting wear and tear better than steel doors. As well, though they can be simulated to look wooden, fiberglass doors can offer up to five times the insulation of wood.
The prize ultimately goes to fiberglass doors when it comes to durability - unlike steel doors, fiberglass doors don't need to be finished in order to be low maintenance. Unfinished fiberglass doors will last for years without the risk of rust, deterioration, or mold, making them the more low-maintenance choice of the two.
Cost Comparison
Fiberglass doors tend to be pricier than steel doors, but depending on the look and quality you are going for, they may be worth the extra cost. But beware - cheap fiberglass is more susceptible to cracking, especially in the cold weather. With that, its finish could deteriorate and its inner core could decay. So, if you're not quite ready to put in the investment for a high quality fiberglass door, a more affordable steel door similar in quality might be the best option.
At the end of the day, the quality of the installation and the final product ultimately determines the quality of your new entry doors. Other than that, quality models of both steel and fiberglass entry doors compete very well with each other when installed properly!
Once you've decided whether you want to go with steel or fiberglass as the material of choice for your new entry doors, or if you need more professional advice on deciding which is the best fit for you, call the Beverley Hills Windows and Doors experts at 1-800-263-4515, or drop by a showroom location today and let us help you take the next steps in finding your perfect entry doors!