There is a wide selection of choices,types and materials to select from when choosing an exterior door. Some of the more traditional materials are solid wood and steel with an insulated core. Exterior door manufacturers are also now using alternative materials such as vinyl to create doors which require almost no maintenance. There are many advantages of wood exterior doors, including the the beautiful look this strong door provides.
There are many types of wood that are used to make wood doors including walnut, cedar, oak, pine, and mahogany. You will need to give your wood door periodic maintenance to give it protection from changing weather conditions. While many manufacturers will treat their wood exterior doors with a preservative they will still need to have a protective coating applied so they will last many years. Wood exterior doors are subject to expansion and contraction in response to moisture and temperature changes.
How well the door performs will usually depend on where it is installed. Wood exterior doors which are in hot and moist environments will need regular maintenance annually. So before you buy consider all the choices you have about exterior doors. Steel is another material commonly used for exterior doors. These doors are most commonly produced with a wood frame filled with foam which is then coated with a steel skin. Strenth and stability are provided by the wood frame while the foam core provides insulation. These type of door do not require much maintenance.
Fiberglass exterior doors are produced in a way very similar to steel doors with fiberglass being used for the outer skin. These doors are great for long term durability and energy efficiency. The outer skin of fiberglass can even be embossed to give the look of real wood. One of the newest materials used to make exterior doors is vinyl. Chambers of vinyl create the structure of these doors with added strength coming from aluminum, steel or wood. These type of doors offer good energy efficiently and can hold up well to almost any weather condition.
