Steel vs Fiberglass Doors
You may not think there is, but there are quite a few differences with steel vs fibreglass doors. As you will read below, steel vs fibreglass doors have their own individual pros and cons, but also a few similarities that can often make them both a wise choice for a door, especially in primary areas of a home.
Steel Doors
Resistant to the outside elements, steel doors really do stand above the rest when it comes to performance, and their low-maintenance factors are a big hit with homeowners too! A steel door does not have to look like a steel door, you can opt-in for steel doors that look like they are made of wood, or, order your steel door painted in a unique colour…there really is a lot of fun to be had when choosing new steel doors, and the list of perks just keeps growing! Savings…security…style…these three things are a top priority for homeowners and steel doors covers these criteria beautifully! Steel doors are attractive in the sense they always have a positive return on investment and add substantial value to any home! This is ideal, because you don’t only want a great door that is pleasing to the eye, warm and inviting, you want savings, energy efficiency and better safety & security.
Steel doors are manufactured to possess R-values, which range between R-5 to R-6 generally, without any windows or glass panes (if adding glass, this drops the energy efficiency of the steel door). A steel door, for example, can be 1 ½ inches thick and without any glass, can provide up to five times more insulating value that a solid wood door that is the same size…that is a huge energy savings! Steel doors are manufactured with insulating polyurethane foam on the inside, with galvanized steel panels on either side over a wooden structure, which makes these doors strong, durable and if installed correctly with magnetic weather stripping, these doors become thermally efficient and air tight. Manufacturing process begins with best quality, raw materials (hot dipped galvanized steel skin, 24 or 22 gauge & folded at a 90-degree angle on head & bottom rail level to offer precision assembling and rigidity to the doors panel). A factory finished steel door or a paintable steel door, is also available with a wood finish interior or exterior. There are numerous styles of steel doors, a wealth of diverse patterns & colours, interesting panel and glass combinations and hardware choices.
Fibreglass Doors
One of the more enticing aspects of fibreglass doors is, they have the aesthetic appeal of wood with grain-like lines & texture, and come with stainable finishes (as well as painted or hue finishes), but with some added perks that are not apparent in authentic wooden doors. Fibreglass doors are far more durable than steel doors and wood doors, they possess an insulated polyurethane core and provide longevity & energy savings! Many homeowners like that fibreglass doors have a textured surface, which adds to the desired ‘wood grainy look’, especially when edge treated. Outstanding performance when it comes to wear and tear over time, fibreglass doors can take the outdoor weather elements, are moderately dent-resistant (a severe impact will crack a fibreglass door), and are very low-maintenance. Simply washing your fibreglass door with just mild soap and rinsing very well, will be all the attention that your new fibreglass entrance door will require.
Providing superior rigidity, resistance to colder temperatures and resilient to minor impact damages, fibreglass doors are truly an innovative product of the highest quality. The manufacturing moulding techniques used (moulded around the CFC free polyurethane core) is what gives these doors their strength, without issues of warping, cracking or shrinking, from sunlight, moisture or temperature fluctuations. Because fibreglass doors are six times more ‘thermally friendly’ than actual wooden doors, they are also environmentally friendly…because they are free of chlorofluorocarbons. Our company carries the highest quality fibreglass stiles and rails to ensure all sides of the door are protected from moisture, with steel reinforcement to avoid bowing, provide a thermal break and do not rot or corrode.
As you can plainly see, there are multiple steel vs fibreglass doors differences, which one would be right for you and your home?