Wood Entry Doors vs. Fiberglass Entry Doors: Which is the Best Choice for Your Home?

Selecting the ideal door for your home is a significant decision that influences both the aesthetics and functionality of your space. Among exterior doors, wood entry doors and fiberglass entry doors are two of the more prevalent options. There are advantages and disadvantages to each, so a person’s final choice should depend upon their personal preferences and individual needs. In this blog post, we’ll examine the pros and cons of custom wood and fiberglass entry doors, in order to aid you in making an informed decision for your own home. If you’re considering other materials, you might also check our other previous articles comparing aluminum doors vs. custom steel doors and custom steel doors vs. fiberglass doors.

 

 

What To Look For When Choosing Your Entry Door?

 

Before delving into the specific benefits and drawbacks of wood entry doors and fiberglass entry doors, consider some critical factors that will impact your decision:

Style and Design: Do you prefer a modern or traditional look? Which door designs appeal to you?

Durability: How long do you want the door to last? Will it need to withstand harsh weather conditions?

Maintenance: Are you willing to invest time and effort into maintaining your door’s appearance?

Energy Efficiency: Will your door need to help regulate the temperature inside your home?

 

 

Wood Entry Doors: Pros and Cons

 

Wood entry doors have been a popular choice for centuries due to their natural beauty and durability. Consider these pros and cons before making a decision:

 

Pros of Wood Entry Doors

 

Aesthetic Appeal

Wood entry doors exude a timeless, sophisticated charm that can elevate the curb appeal of any home.

Versatility and Ease of Installation

Wood’s inherent pliability enables effortless customization and fitting for various doorways, making it a popular choice among DIY enthusiasts seeking to minimize installation expenses.

Enhanced Safety and Durability

Wood’s density and weight make it a more challenging material to breach, offering a notable safety advantage for homeowners concerned about home security.

Limitless Design Possibilities

Modern wood entry entry doors present a vast array of design options, ranging from classic to contemporary styles, making them an ideal choice for homeowners who wish to personalize their entryway.

Renewable Resource

As a renewable resource, wood promotes eco-friendliness, with trees and forests capable of regrowth and replanting, thus allowing homeowners to reduce their carbon footprint.

Repairable and Replaceable

In contrast to materials like fiberglass, wood can be repaired or replaced in sections, making it a more sustainable option for homeowners focused on minimizing waste.

In summary, wood front entry doors offer an extensive array of benefits for homeowners. From cost-effectiveness to safety and customization, it’s evident why they remain a favored choice for entry doors. Modern wood entry doors boast a classic, elegant appearance, versatility in design, and notable strength and durability.

 

 

Cons of Wood Entry Doors

 

While wooden doors have many benefits, they also come with some significant drawbacks. Here are a few of the most notable:

Rotting

One of the most significant cons of wood entry doors is that they can rot over time due to their tendency to absorb water. If the exterior door is not properly sealed or if it is exposed to moisture for extended periods, it can begin to rot, compromising its structural integrity.

Maintenance

Wood entry front doors require extra maintenance compared to other materials like fiberglass or steel. They need to be regularly inspected, sanded, and refinished to protect against water damage, rot, and other types of wear and tear. This can be time-consuming and costly for homeowners who want to keep their doors in the best condition.

Termite Exposure

Wood entry doors are vulnerable to termite exposure, which can cause significant damage if not addressed promptly. Termites can quickly eat away at the wood, causing structural damage and potentially compromising the safety of the door.

 

 

Fiberglass Entry Doors

 

As technology advances, wood front entry doors are facing some competition from newer materials like fiberglass. While wood has been a trusted choice for centuries, residential fiberglass entry doors offer their own set of advantages and disadvantages. Here, we’ll take a look at all of the pros and cons of choosing fiberglass entry doors for your home.

 

Pros of Fiberglass Entry Doors

 

Fiberglass entry doors, a relatively new option on the market, offer several benefits:

Durability

Fiberglass entry doors are known for their high durability, as they are resistant to dents, scratches, and other types of damage.

Low Maintenance

One of the biggest advantages of fiberglass entry doors with glass is that they require very little maintenance. Unlike wood entry doors, which can warp, rot or crack over time, fiberglass entry doors are designed to be long-lasting and low maintenance, requiring only occasional cleaning with soap and water.

Energy Efficiency

Residential fiberglass entry doors offer excellent insulation, reducing the amount of heat transfer between the indoors and outdoors.

Quality Design

Fiberglass entry doors with glass are available in a wide variety of styles, colors, and finishes, making it easy to find the perfect design to match your home’s architecture and decor.

 

 

Cons of Fiberglass Entry Doors

 

There are significant perks of fiberglass entry doors when it comes to maintenance, but there are also downsides to this material:

Expensive

One of the biggest downsides of fiberglass entry doors is their cost. Compared to other types of custom doors, like wood, fiberglass entry doors tend to be more expensive.

Sizing Limitations

Fiberglass entry doors can be difficult to adjust once they are made. If they are too big, it can be nearly impossible to readjust them, and they can’t be too tall because they will bend easily.

Harder to Install

Residential fiberglass entry doors are not a DIY-friendly option. They require specialized tools and knowledge to install properly, so hiring a professional is highly recommended.

Limited Customization

While fiberglass entry doors can be painted, they are not as customizable as wood entry doors.

Appearance

Some homeowners may find fiberglass entry doors less visually appealing than wood entry doors, as they lack the same natural beauty and warmth.

Not Biodegradable

Unlike wood entry doors, which are made from a renewable and biodegradable resource, fiberglass is not biodegradable. This means that when a fiberglass entry door reaches the end of its lifespan, it will inevitably end up in a landfill.

 

 

The Winner: Wood Entry Doors

 

Although both wood and fiberglass entry doors present their unique sets of pros and cons, wood entry doors ultimately emerge as the clear winner for many homeowners, thanks to their unparalleled blend of aesthetic charm, customizability, and strength. It’s crucial, however, to consider that every home and homeowner has distinct needs and preferences, and the optimal choice hinges on individual requirements.

For those who prioritize a traditional look and greater adaptability, a wood entry door is the ideal choice. Despite its shortcomings, such as the need for regular maintenance, the classic appeal and durability of wood entry doors remain unmatched. Conversely, if your focus is on a low-maintenance, energy-efficient alternative, a fiberglass entry door might suit your needs better. Yet, when it comes to overall appeal and customization, wood entry doors continue to hold the winning position.

To see Portella’s line of wood entry doors, check out the gallery today. When you’ve made your selection, find the closest dealer on our website.