Michael Gentile, North Hollywood REALTOR and home improvement specialist offers advice in choosing among wood, steel and fiberglass as the material for your exterior door.
Sophisticated Wood
To guarantee that the wood was sustainably grown and acquired, you should get a door made of wood certified by the Forest Stewardship Council. Getting a wood certified by FSC and has a rating from Energy Star is one way of helping to preserve our environment. Look for a U-factor values and solar heat gain coefficient below 0.3.
Cost-effective Steel
Steel is the most inexpensive door material compare to wood and fiberglass. You will save more if you are capable of installing it yourself. Basic steel doors price start at $150 (material only) and as much as $400 at big stores. Despite the strongest barrier, steel does not have significant difference over the two. On an average, steel doors increase returns by 129% in resale.
Its lifespan is shorter than fiberglass or wood. Constant exposure to heavy rains or salt air shrinks the life span of steel doors to five to seven years. Steel relatively ranks low in Consumer Reports testing for durability.
Less-Maintenance Fiberglass
Fiberglass can come in so many designs (even mimicking wood), and it’s easiest to care for. It also stays intact during weather changes. It can last for up to 20 years without a need for repaint or fixing. Its thick coating makes it an excellent barrier, and its core provides great insulation. Fiberglass is cheaper than wood but more expensive than steel (on an average). Recoup value s 65%, which is lower than steel.
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