topic Re: Front door material in Home

Front door material

Trailrun23 — Sat, 13 May 2023 21:40:54 GMT

We need to replace our front door. It is the original door put in circa 1979. The wood swells now in the heat and humidity making it harder and harder to open and close. I have had contractors say a fiberglass or aluminum entryway door is much better than wood now...nobody uses wood does anymore, etc. our home is in a popular neighborhood and houses are expensive. Don't want to cheapen the look with fiberglass or aluminum...what kind of front door do you have? TIA!

Re: Front door material

Somertime — Sat, 13 May 2023 21:51:54 GMT

I have a fiberglass door with a glass insert, very attractive and the humidity has no effect on it. There is no maintenace either. They come in choices of colors. I would not advise aluminum. Look on Home Depot, Lowes, etc. to see if you find something you like.

Re: Front door material

We rescue cats — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:01:31 GMT

Our front door is original to the house, it's solid oak with leaded glass windows. The door does not swell but it needs to be refinished every 10 years or so due to the sun beating on it, we have a Andersen storm door that protects it from the weather.

The deck doors are also oak, by Andersen, we have not had an issue with them, they've been on there since we built the deck 27 years ago.

Re: Front door material

Janey2 — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:02:49 GMT

I have a fiberglass front door for 10 years. It looks the exact same as the day I purchased it. No up keep involved. It has a glass insert and I find it attractive. It is a heavy door which I like for security purposes.

Re: Front door material

jewel-maven — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:02:59 GMT

I have a steel door mainly because in my area security is an issue. Fiberglass is a good option vs. aluminum. However, considering the home values in your area, you might want to replace with a good wood door. Considering that your current door has lasted nearly 50 years, replacing with another wood door would most likely last at least another 50 years! Good luck and don't let a contractor sway you from what you consider is best for you and your situation. 😊

Re: Front door material

Goldengate8361 — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:03:20 GMT

Do you really need a new door? I would not be looking to replace a wood door just because it's a little harder to open now.

Re: Front door material

On It — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:09:17 GMT

Some here are using custom iron front doors. They are a combination of iron and glass. I am sorry I do not know how to post pictures, but you might search iron front doors to see if you like them.

Edited to add: if you are familiar with Young and the Restless, they look like the front door on the Abbott mansion.

Re: Front door material

SilleeMee — Sat, 13 May 2023 23:40:38 GMT

My front door is made of solid wood but it's very old and needs replacing mainly b/c it's not good at keeping the hot/cold out. Wood is just not a good insulator. I will be replacing it will an insulated steel door.

People around here spend as much on storm doors as they do on the entry doors themselves. After all, a storm door is what you see first when you come to the front door.

Re: Front door material

Queen of shop — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:23:53 GMT

@Trailrun23 How about just having the door sanded down and restained? A wood door is really nice to have. A good carpenter can also plane a tad off the door top or bottom to stop the sticking.

I have a fiberglass front door with a glass insert and a screen door to protect it. No sticking problem.

My back kitchen door is custom wood. I went to an all door factory many years ago. I styled a glass insert for it with tulips, lillies and tall and short leaves. Some other foliage too. I love it.

Keep searching. Don't give up on what you really want. Good luck.

Re: Front door material

Carmie — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:39:08 GMT

We have a fiberglass door that replaced the original steel door. I replaced the door because I wanted a small half moon window for light.

The door is okay, but we also got a storm door. The sun beats on the door all afternoon and the paint bubbles up when the storm door has the glass in it. It gets so hot between the two doors.

When the screen in, it is okay. The paint is not ruined, but we always remember to either open the fiberglass door or the screen door a little if it is a sunny day when the glass is in.....early spring or fall.

My previous house had a solid wood door that was over 100 years old. I think it was better than steel or fiberglass.

Re: Front door material

ECBG — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:37:36 GMT

We have the original front door painted red. Our door is under a wrap around porch and gets very little light and no water.

Re: Front door material

RedTop — Sat, 13 May 2023 22:51:58 GMT

Every entry door on this house is steel; solid and secure. Not a fan of wood.

Re: Front door material

Snowpuppy — Sat, 13 May 2023 23:25:37 GMT

I replaced a steel front door that was builder's cheap and replaced it with a wood door built by a local Amish guy.

The house will probably be falling down before that door shows any wear. 😄

Re: Front door material

Trailrun23 — Sat, 13 May 2023 23:54:43 GMT

We do have to replace the door. I would prefer wood, but so far it will have to be custom-made and the lowest bid is a little over $10k. Seems like a lot to me.