A Therma-Tru fiberglass door looks and feels just like real wood. But it won’t warp or rot like a wood door – or dent or rust like a steel door. With very little maintenance, a Therma-Tru fiberglass door can bring your home years of durability, curb appeal and energy efficiency. Find out why it’s the right choice for your home. Energy efficient – offer up to four times the insulating R-Value of wood.* Require minimal maintenance – won’t warp or rot like wood, or dent or rust like steel. Offer beautiful wood-grain or smooth finish looks – can be stained or painted. Feel warm and inviting to the touch – like a real wood door. Fiberglass & Wood Comparison Brochure Offer the best advantages of wood and steel – without the limitations. Energy efficient – offer good insulating value. Less maintenance, depending on the environment – won’t warp or rot like wood. Can be less expensive. Easily dented and scratched – which can lead to rust.

Can only be painted, not stained – and paint chipping can be common. Conduct temperature – can feel cold or hot to the touch. Offer beautiful wood grains for a high-end look – can be stained or painted. Feel warm and inviting to the touch. Scratches can be easily repaired.Finish will fade – refinishing recommended every 1–2 years. Absorb moisture – which can cause finish to peel or bubble, and doors to warp or rot. Least energy-efficient option compared to our fiberglass and steel doors. Can be more expensive. Read what these home improvement pros have to say about the benefits of fiberglass doors over wood and steel. *Comparison of fiberglass to wood doors (both without glass). Glossary / Door TerminologyAdd interest to your entryway with a front door that works well, fits your home and is energy efficient. Entry doors come in wood, metal and fiberglass. The larger the door and more elaborate the design, the more it will cost.

This wooden front door adds a sophisticated edge in a home office remodel designed by Brian Patrick Flynndoor locks for daycares Wood doors are naturally warm and inviting. garage door raleigh north carolinaBest used in a covered area such as a house with a portico or porch, or in combination with a storm door that will protect it from the elements, a wood door will last for many years with minimal maintenance of painting and staining.wooden front doors leeds Door makers have stepped up their offerings with thicker panels, better weather stripping and energy-efficient glass inserts in a wide variety of designs to suit any decor. front door replacement rockville md

Woods include oak, mahogany, maple, teak, black locust, fir and pine.where to buy doors in coquitlam The enemy of a wood door is moisture that causes rot. pocket door frames lowesWater from rain can seep into joints, loosening them and allowing air to enter or exit, making them less energy efficient. garage door remote guardianLook for doors that combat this problem with proper water-barrier construction that allows rain to run off the door without entering joints. Wood doors scratch, peel, bubble and warp if not protected. Off-the-shelf replacement doors are the least expensive, while custom wood doors are the most costly. Wood doors are usually the most expensive option for an entry. Cost: $150 to $1,000

Steel entry doors are made of a wood frame that holds insulation to make them energy efficient. Doors, including the frame, are clad in epoxy-coated galvanized steel. The steel has a baked enamel finish that can be painted in the color of your choice. The energy-efficient core helps lower heating and cooling costs. Steel doors are available in any style, from traditional to contemporary. A high-quality steel door can last a lifetime with little maintenance and they will not warp like wood doors.They can dent, paint can chip, and un-repaired scratches can lead to rust. Yet they are the most secure. Prices vary, but they are typically less expensive than wood doors. Cost: $120 to $650 Fiberglass is the latest in front door options. They are made of composite materials clad in a fiberglass panel, with a grainy pattern to resemble wood. They also come in smooth finishes that can be painted or stained in your choice of color. They have an energy-efficient core to help lower heating and cooling costs and are low maintenance as they don't rot, rust, warp or deteriorate over time.

Fiberglass can scratch and dent but generally less than wood or steel doors. Prices vary depending on the size and options you want, such as glass inserts and finishes. Fiberglass doors in standard sizes will help keep costs down, but custom versions will cost more. Cost: $250 to $3,900How to Buy Doors:  Fiberglass vs. Steel Homeowners and commercial property owners seeking the best value in a new entry door system typically turn to either fiberglass or steel entry doors. Both offer major advantages over wood doors, which, while beautiful, require regular maintenance and lack the endurance, security and energy efficiency of fiberglass or steel. ProVia, which offers both fiberglass and steel entry doors, offers its insight into choosing the best entry door system for your home or business property. Here’s how each type of entry door stacks up for major door-buying factors: Fiberglass entry doors are the #1 replacement choice by homeowners and are best suited for single-home residences. 

Beauty – Fiberglass entry doors most closely mimic the defined grain of authentic wood doors and come in a number of wood grain textures like oak, cherry, mahogany and fir as well as a variety of stain and paint colors.  Additionally, fiberglass doors offer many options for door glass, including decorative door glass, which improves curb appeal.  All ProVia doors are custom-made to the size and style specifications of the buyer for maximum impact. Endurance – Unlike wood doors, fiberglass entry doors do not shrink, warp, split, crack or delaminate.   They’re ideal for harsh or humid climates.  Because fiberglass doors last so long, many come with long warranties.  ProVia doors, for instance, come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty that guarantees the doors through the entirety of the ownership of the home by the door purchaser, plus one subsequent homeowner.  Paint and stain finishes are warranted for up to 10 years. Maintenance – Fiberglass entry doors offer the lowest maintenance, resisting denting and scratching, and can be cleaned with mild soap and water.  

These doors can be re-finished, but must be done by a professional. Energy efficiency – Fiberglass entry door systems are engineered to be highly energy efficient.  The polyurethane core, high-performance, heat-resistant window trim, Q-Lon weatherstripping and ComforTech Warm Edge Glazing System in ProVia entry door systems work together to keep the cold out in the winter and heat out in the summer.  All ProVia entry doors without glass are ENERGY STAR certified and many models with glass also meet ENERGY STAR standards. Security – The solid construction of fiberglass entry doors provides significant security over wood doors. Cost – Fiberglass doors can be comparable in cost to wood doors or can be significantly higher, depending on the model, glass options and hardware selected, but offer longer durability and far less maintenance. ProVia offers three series of custom fiberglass entry doors that meet or exceed homeowners’ expectations:  Embarq, Signet and Heritage.

Steel doors more commonly are used by commercial property owners but also are well-suited for residential purposes. Beauty –Steel entry doors are available in smooth or wood grain textures in multiple stains and paint finishes, and come in a variety of door styles, including some with glass. Endurance – Steel doors, particularly those made of 20-gauge steel like ProVia’s Legacy Steel line, won’t crack or warp and are the strongest, most durable doors available on the market. Maintenance – Although generally low maintenance, if scratched through the galvanization, these doors can rust if not properly primed and painted.  Dents and dings can be pulled and puttied with an auto-body repair kit.  ProVia’s Legacy Steel entry doors come with a Lifetime Limited Warranty. Energy Efficiency – Steel entry doors offer significantly more energy efficiency than wood doors.  Efficiency ratings will vary based on overall construction, but ProVia Legacy Steel doors are recognized as being highly energy efficient, with all doors without glass meeting ENERGY STAR certification.