Finding the right replacement front door in Denver is easier said than done. When exploring your options, you’ll have to ask yourself several questions, including…
Fortunately, our Denver Homeowners Guide To Entry Doors can help you answer these questions. By exploring the guide below, you’ll arm yourself with the knowledge you need to make the best decision for your home, family, and budget.
Before we explore the different types of front door materials, let’s define what features you should look for in a high-quality door:
Below, we’ll look at the different entry door materials you can choose.
Steel is one of the strongest and most secure entry door materials when coupled with the right framing materials. High-quality steel doors are coated in galvanized (protective zinc coating to prevent rusting) epoxy to prevent rust and have a baked-enamel finish that allows you to paint it whatever color you choose.
Since metal conducts energy, quality steel entry doors come with an insulated, energy-efficient core. This ensures the door is energy-efficient to keep your home comfortable and energy bills lower.
Steel entry doors can last a lifetime with little maintenance. But while steel entry doors won’t rot or warp like wood doors, they’re susceptible to chipped paint, denting, and scratching. Unrepaired scratches can eventually lead to rust. This is why we recommend a storm door to complement any steel entry door.
Steel doors also don’t resist weather, wear, and tear as well as wood and fiberglass entry doors. That said, if you want strength, security, and longevity for a great price, a steel entry door is a fantastic choice.
Bottom line: Steel front doors are a great option as long as you buy a high-quality door and have it professionally installed.
The market for wood doors is mainly a consideration for looks. Unlike metal, scratches can be sanded out and revarnished. Besides being expensive, wood doors require a great deal of upkeep. Many manufacturers recommend resealing wood doors once a year.
Wood doors commonly crack and warp. They’re not as energy-efficient as steel and fiberglass since wood has poor insulating qualities. Wood expands and contracts. Eventually, gaps open, and air and moisture infiltrate the home.
Bottom line: Wood doors are beautiful but expensive and require a great deal of maintenance.
When Denver homeowners want an entry door with the beautiful look of wood — without high wood-related costs and upkeep — they choose fiberglass.
Fiberglass entry doors are manufactured of composite materials clad in a fiberglass panel. They can be made with a grain pattern to accurately reproduce the look of wood or manufactured with a smooth finish.
A big benefit of fiberglass entry doors is energy efficiency. Fiberglass entry doors contain state-of-the-art insulation in their cores. This helps you cut your energy costs while keeping your home at a comfortable temperature year-round.
Fiberglass exterior doors can dent and scratch like wood and steel; however, fiberglass cannot warp or rot like wood. In terms of price, fiberglass tends to be more expensive than steel but less expensive than wood.
If you want a beautiful, energy-efficient entry door that can reproduce the look of wood — without wood-related maintenance — fiberglass is the material for you.
Bottom line: Fiberglass front doors are a great value and come in a variety of price ranges (so there’s something for almost everyone). There is little upkeep, and the more expensive ones are just as attractive as the wood ones, with more durability and less maintenance.
Contact us today if you need help choosing the best exterior doors in Denver.
We would be honored to discuss your project and provide our professional expertise to guide you to the perfect doors for your home and budget.