Hal Major © 2009
BobVila.com
If a new exterior door is on your shopping list, there is a wide variety of styles and price ranges from which to choose. The price can range from $100.00 to over $1000.00. The three primary choices in door materials is fiberglass, wood and metal. All of them come in a variety of designs, colors and options.
The two primary styles of exterior doors are hinged and sliding. Hinged doors are the first choice for the front entry to the home with the sliding doors reserved for entry from the deck, patio and backyard.
You can choose a pre-hung door, meaning it comes mounted in the casing surrounding the door. The doorjambs, threshold and trim for the external part are usually included. The unassembled door is a standalone item. You will need to mount the hinges, drill for the locks and probably paint or stain it.
Wood Doors
Wood exterior doors remain the most common. They are made from just about all woods and come with or without inset panels. You can choose a door with decorative glass in the upper portion of the door which allows sunlight in or solid door.
The variety of wood you choose should depend on how you are going to finish it. If you are going to paint it a good yellow pine will work just fine and they are cheaper than the other woods. If you are going to stain the door you must remember that the type of wood affects the color of the wood. High-end wood doors are generally made from Mahogany, Oak (white or red), Teak and the latest entry Ipe (otherwise known as Brazilian Walnut).
Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass entry doors are beginning to claim an ever-larger share of the external door market for new and replacement doors. A typical fiberglass door will cost about $50.00 more than wood or steel. However, fiberglass doesn�t warp, rot, rust, peel or dent.
The doors are available in a smooth or textured finish. Most often, the textured finish is made to resemble wood grain and they are available as pre-colored or in white. If you decide to buy a white fiberglass door and paint it to match your house, you must first use an exterior primer. Otherwise, the finish color may peel off within a year or two.
Steel Doors
Until recently, steel doors were very expensive due to the high cost of the steel. The price for steel and steel scrap as dropped dramatically in the past few months making steel doors more affordable.
Steel doors provide a higher degree of security than wood or fiberglass. The final finish can be factory applied (best choice) with a process called electrostatic coating. Or, the door can be purchased with a primer only and you can paint it your favorite color.
Installing a replacement door or with a new build, the skill and equipment needed to ensure that the door locks line up, that there are no leaks or cracks, etc. is a job for a professional. Make sure to find a local, reputable contractor for your project.
