Easy to follow guide for purchasing exterior doors
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 including vinyl to produce doors which are virtually maintenance free. 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 with some of the most common being pine, mahogany, oak, walnut, and cedar. You will need to give your wood door periodic maintenance to protect it from the elements. While most quality wood doors will be treated with a preservative by their manufacturer a protective coating will still need to be applied regularly to protect them for the long run. Wood exterior doors will expand and contract over time in response to both heat and moisture.
Often the overall performance of the door will depend on where it is installed. If you install a wood exterior door in a climate which is hot and moist it will need regular maintenance annually. So before you buy consider all the choices you have about exterior doors. Another material commonly used for exterior doors is steel. These doors most often use a wood frame which have been filled with foam insulation and then covered by an outer skin of steel. 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 except for the fact that fiberglass is used to create the outer layer. These doors provide excellent durability and energy efficiency. The outer skin of fiberglass can even be embossed to give the look of real wood. Vinyl is one of the newest materials used to create exterior doors. The structure of these doors is created using chambers in the vinyl with steel, wood, or aluminum used to give the door additional strength. These doors are very energy efficient and the ability to stand up under just about any weather condition.
