Deciding Between Fiberglass and Natural Wood Doors

If you are considering getting new doors for your home in Burlington, Oakville, Mississauga, Hamilton, Halton and surrounding areas, one of the decisions you will have to make is what type of material you want your doors to be made of. There is somewhat of a debate between those who love the elegance of solid wood doors and those who see fiberglass as the more practical and durable option. There is no doubt that both wood and fiberglass are extremely beautiful, so when comparing, it is important to look a little deeper.

Durability & Front Doors

When comparing the durability of wood and fiberglass doors, fiberglass is the clear winner. Fiberglass is much more resistant to sun exposure and weathering and will not warp or rot as wood is prone to do. Wood on the other hand needs a covered porch with no sun exposure due to expansion and contraction when under heat.

Front-Door Strength and Security

You may want your front entrance to be beautiful, but it is equally important that you have a door that is strong and sturdy to keep out unwanted intruder. Wood is not as strong as fiberglass.

Fiberglass doors, while not as heavy as wood doors, are very strong.

A multipoint locking system can be added to either a wood door or a fiberglass door system. A multipoint is a triple locking mechanism allowing for high level of security.

Fiberglass Door Maintenance

If you are looking for a door that is low maintenance, again fiberglass comes out on top. Fiberglass doors are virtually maintenance-free.

Wood, on the other hand, is going to require more TLC if you want to keep it looking beautiful. Every few years, you will likely need to re-stain or re-paint your wood door to keep it looking its best. If your wood door is under a covered porch and is sheltered from the sun there will be a lot less maintenance needed on your door.

Energy Efficiency and Eco-friendliness

Both wood and fiberglass doors do a great job of keeping the outside temperature on the outside and the inside temperature on the inside. Fiberglass may have a slight advantage over wood in terms of energy efficiency because fiberglass doors have a foam core, which helps to insulate them.

Wood, however, is the winner in terms of eco-friendliness since it is a renewal resource providing that the wood being used comes from a sustainable source.

Appearance and Esthetics

In terms of appearance, wood and fiberglass doors are both very beautiful. There is no denying that wood offers an elegant and classic look that will never go out of style. Wood doors offer a more custom touch to your home and can be made specifically to your preference of style and measurements. In addition to its appearance, there is nothing quite like the texture of a real door.

Fiberglass, offers a wide range of appearances – everything from traditional to ultra-modern. You have two options when choosing fiberglass such as smooth fiberglass and woodgrain fiberglass doors. A smooth fiberglass door has a smooth flush finish that looks similar to a steel door but is more durable than a steel door. If you love the look of wood but prefer a door that is more durable and low maintenance, you can choose a woodgrain fiberglass door option and get the best of both worlds.

Fiberglass Doors Cost Less

In terms of price, the wood vs. fiberglass debate isn’t even close. Fiberglass doors only cost about half the amount of wood doors. So, if you are looking for a more economical option, fiberglass is the way to go.

At Doorway Inc., we offer both fiberglass and natural wood doors, and a member of our team would be happy to help you select just the right material for your home. Contact us today or visit our showroom in Burlington, Ontario.