No matter where you may live, weather takes a heavy toll on wood doors. Rain, snow, humidity
and the sun all can cause wood doors to crack, warp and even fall apart over time. When wood doors get wet, they swell and it can be difficult to open and shut the door. Steel exterior doors are far more durable then both wood and fiberglass doors. If durability plus added security is your priority, then a steel exterior door would be your best choice.
Steel exterior doors have really come a long way over recent years. Until recently, a steel door was more of an industrial option rather than for a homeowner. Today, many of the steel exterior doors are surfaced with galvanized steel that is embossed with a realistic wood grain pattern. The more conventional steel doors come primed with a baked on polyester finish that are all ready to paint. A wood fiber coating is available on some steel exterior doors that allow you to stain the door so it looks like a wood door. The more expensive steel exterior doors are available with a real wood veneer surface. Steel exterior doors can be a solid door or with an attractive glass panel. With the embossed finish and added glass panels, it is difficult to notice that it is even a steel exterior door.
Once a wood door cracks or warps, there are not many options available, other than to replace the door. With a steel exterior door, they only require a periodic repainting. Just like any other steel product, a steel exterior door can get dented. Dents can easily be filled in with an auto-body repair kit that should be available at any auto parts store.
All steel exterior doors have an inner frame. Less expensive doors normally will have a wood frame while the stronger and more durable steel doors will have a steel frame. The cavities that are within the door frame are filled with foam insulation. You should consider the temperatures that the steel exterior door will be exposed to when choosing your door. Different doors will have insulation values that vary. A salesperson should be able to help you choose a correct insulation value. Another factor that you may want to consider is the steel exterior door skin. A premium steel door for a home has a 24-gauge steel skin. Thicker skins are available on some models.
Steel exterior doors are less expensive then wood or even fiberglass doors. Steel doors last years longer than wood doors and they do not require the maintenance that wood doors do. As wood doors shrink or swell with the changing weather, cold air can enter through the cracks. Steel exterior doors do not shrink or swell, which means once the door is hung, you will never need to be concerned with drafts slipping through the cracks. Steel exterior doors are more cost effective, secure and out last any other door making it the number one choice for many homeowners.
