How to Pick a the Right Front Door for your Home

There are a lot of things you need to do before picking the right entry door for your home.

The doors must surpass bad weather, calamities and events such as strong wind, heavy rain, direct hit from sunlight and of course – being safe from intruders.

In order to meet those standards in living for many front doors builders, you may need someone whose skills have been tested through times (FYI, I’m from South Texas US – and I can recommend MG Building Materials for Doors in South Central TX).

So let’s pick the right criteria for your door.

Older ones are made of wood or wood veneer, both of which warp, crack, and delaminate after years of exposure to those elements mention above.

Metal doors? Nah. They don't last forever, either — the surface on some older steel doors can peel.

Whether that describes your front door or you just want to trade a solid door for one with glass panels that offer more light, you'll find plenty of options available.

There are new wood doors that resist the elements better than earlier versions, as well as metal and fiberglass ones that look like wood but provide greater security and often cost less.

Materials Used

Most manufacturers offer dozens of door styles, and you'll find a broad selection at lumberyards, home centers, and door dealers. Or, design your own door.

Some manufacturers let you specify the types of panels and glass options you want. But these doors have to be specially ordered and take two to eight weeks for delivery.

A third option is to have a local woodworker / millwork shop builds a wood door according to your specifications.
Again, the drawbacks are time and money.

Perhaps the most important decision is what your door is made of.

Most combine several materials; for example, many fiberglass and steel doors have wood frames.

But it's the surface material that most affects appearance, durability, security, and price.

Wood doors

Wood doors are the most common.

Versatility and beauty are their strong suit.

Natural-finish stock and custom wood doors come in oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple, fir, and pine.

You'll also find paint-grade doors in several softwood varieties, such as pine and western hemlock.

Many stock wood doors are a sandwich of wood-veneer skins over an engineered-wood core.

Steel Doors

A steel door is your best bet if security and durability are top priorities.

Steel units are stronger than wood or fiberglass doors, and they won't crack or warp.

Any dents or dings on these doors can be pulled and puttied with an auto-body repair kit.

Fiberglass-Composite Doors

Fiberglass-composite doors are tough and maintenance-free, and are a smart choice for harsh or humid climates.

They mimic the look of wood with wood-grain texturing and can be stained to match oak, cherry, walnut, and a variety of other woods.

Beneath their molded surface is a framework of wooden stiles and rails, including wood edges for the lockset.

Voids in the framework are filled with polyurethane-foam insulation.

Fiberglass-composite doors carry long warranties.

Aluminum Doors

Aluminum doors, like steel units, use an insulation core covered by a metal skin.

Unlike other door systems, however, aluminum versions are sold exclusively through dealers. Each is custom-built to your opening.

Manufacturers offer all types of options - come in dozens of styles and colors, with smooth or wood-grain finishes.

Aluminum doors have a baked-on enamel finish, so they never need painting and won't rust — which explains the 20-year warranties that are common.