When it comes to home improvement, putting your best foot forward means having a front door you can be most proud of. More than the porch or patio, the front door is the focal point of a house. In the eyes of onlookers and visitors, it is the platform on which you convey your house's personality. Aged wood doors might suggest an easygoing unit whereas sleek steel doors might hint at an urban household. Certainly, fiberglass entry doors signify that you are getting the best of both worlds. They are lightweight yet hardwearing. Long after your neighbors' wooden doors can no longer stand fluctuating temperatures and repeated use, fiberglass will continue showing its worth. It is only a matter of finding the right one for your functional and aesthetic needs.
1. Do not settle for just one.
Wood, fiberglass and steel are the current choices of surface material for doors in the market. In the past, a door would have been built from one of these materials alone but there are newer doors made from a combination of materials. Some doors have a steel interior and wood exterior. Steel rusts and dents while wood rots, cracks, splits and bows. Wood expands and contracts as the weather changes. Fiberglass is not vulnerable to such wear and tear as wood and steel are. Your best option is an entry door of composite material in which fiberglass is the main make, perhaps with a wood frame where handcrafting and other exquisite detailing are achievable.
2. Look at the big picture.
The door is an entryway to the house and must harmonize with it. Fiberglass entry doors straddle looks, with classic and modern styles complementing the natural and man-made elements of the outdoor environment. Be sure to browse through a broad selection of panel styles, glass configurations, pre-finishes and finishes. These diverse features have come to be offered with architects, remodelers and homeowners in mind. A wood grain finish like oak or mahogany approximates real wood, evoking warmth and traditional beauty against a siding like brick or concrete. Remember that exterior doors should go with interior and patio doors as well as windows, which in turn should not clash with important furniture like a sofa or bed, so having hints of wood on the front door might be sensible.
3. Consider name-checking.
Big brands are in the lead of advancing fiberglass entry doors in the market, recognizing that they have become increasingly popular. Long trusted names like Masonite and Milgard are focused on quality control, as with the former's high-end Barrington product line and the latter's vertically integrated production. Benchmark by Therma-Tru, recognized product pioneers, and Feather River are zooming in on innovation, both having entry door systems that offer security and peace of mind. As door makers vie for market leadership, they would naturally make a wider variety of better products available to you conveniently. Test these products as a point of reference - latch one, lock another, swing them open and close. Taking cues from name brands when fiberglass door shopping should help you make informed choices in regard to functionality and design.
4. Think long-term.
Fiberglass door products already come at competitive costs due to rising customer demand. In addition, they insulate 3 to 5 times better than doors made from wood and help brighten rooms with natural light, which means you can save energy. On top of these, they are unlike wood doors that necessitate constant repairs and quicker replacements. Fiberglass entry doors are a smart investment for their durability, efficiency, contemporary appeal and staying power. Buying one will cost you less in the long run.
