At Kentucky Home Exteriors, we recommend fiberglass doors for Kentucky homes. With our climate and unpredictable weather, fiberglass offers the best protection and value for money. Fiberglass is durable and low maintenance. However, it is more expensive upfront and is heavier than wood doors.
The Pros of Fiberglass Doors
Durability
Fiberglass is durable and long-lasting. The core of a fiberglass door consists of layers of woven fiberglass strands. These strands provide structural strength and stability to the door. The fiberglass strands are bonded using a polymer resin, typically epoxy or polyester.
This resin acts as a binder, holding the fiberglass strands in place and providing additional strength. Because the door is strong, it won’t warp, crack, or split. Fiberglass also resists moisture, so it won’t expand, contract, or rot. You also won’t have to worry about insects and pests damaging your door as you would if it was made of wood.
Low Maintenance
Front doors often require maintenance because they are exposed to the elements. Wood doors, in particular, need to be painted, stained, or sealed regularly to keep them watertight. Fiberglass, however, is very low maintenance.
Fiberglass doors are designed to withstand prolonged exposure to sunlight without fading, peeling, or deteriorating. The polymer resin is formulated to resist UV radiation, so your door will look good for years.
Doors made from fiberglass are also easy to keep clean. Just use mild soap and water to clean off any surface scuffs. The surface of fiberglass is non-porous, so it doesn’t absorb dirt, dust, or moisture.
Energy Efficient
Fiberglass offers excellent insulation for doors. Many fiberglass door options have an insulated core made of foam material. This foam core provides a layer of thermal insulation that helps regulate indoor temperature by minimizing heat transfer through the door.
Fiberglass is also a poor conductor of heat. This low thermal conductivity helps prevent heat transfer between the interior and exterior of your home, maintaining a more stable indoor temperature.
Many high-quality fiberglass door options are Energy Star certified. Energy Star is a program that identifies energy-efficient products meeting specific criteria. Energy Star-certified doors have been independently tested and verified to provide energy savings.
Versatility
Fiberglass can mimic wood with realistic wood grain, textures, and finishes. They come in various styles, colors, and designs, allowing you to customize your home exterior. Many fiberglass doors come pre-finished but can also be painted and stained.
The Cons of Fiberglass Doors
Cost
Doors made from fiberglass can be more expensive upfront than other door materials, such as steel or basic wood doors. But, they are a great investment and offer a high ROI.
Impact Damage
While fiberglass is highly durable, it is susceptible to scratches and impact damage. However, high-quality fiberglass doors can be designed to be more impact-resistant.
Weight
Fiberglass can be heavier than wood doors. Heavier doors require more hardware and are more complex to install.
Signs You Need a Door Replacement
Here are some common signs that it’s time for a new fiberglass door.
- Your door is hard to open and close because it has swelled.
- There is light around the closed door, and it is drafty.
- Your door creaks.
- Visible damage like cracks, warping, and dents.
- Faded or peeling paint or finish.
- Increased maintenance needs.
- Rusty hinges and damaged hardware.
Kentucky Home Exteriors: Your Local Door Replacement Expert
We choose fiberglass every time because the pros of fiberglass far outweigh the cons. We also use the highest quality fiberglass products from suppliers we trust. High-quality products and outstanding installation will ensure that your front door replacement is a worthwhile investment. If you want to learn more about the fiberglass doors we use, contact us for a free in-person consultation.
