You might look at a fiberglass door and think that you have been opening a mahogany, oak, or pine door every day, only to realize that it is not. Most people are thirsty for the wooden look on their front doors, and due to this, door manufacturers have gotten a remedy for their desire.
One advantage that these doors have over their look-alike wood is that they won’t warp, rot, or shrink when exposed to moisture; neither will they get attacked by insects and fire. They are very energy efficient, and they have a long life compared to wood and steel. However, it might take a lot of your time to research and even find fiberglass doors. WindowTech Windows and Doors compiled this guide about fiberglass entry doors. Take a peek.
1. What You Need to Know Before Buying One
- A Slab or Pre-Hung?
You only need to fix the hinges for a slab, make holes, and hung the furniture on the existing frame. This does not require a lot of expertise and work. For a pre-hung, you trim it to fit your existing space. This door comes when it is hinged to the jamb. It also has a threshold, and you can choose one which has installed locks.
- Will it Last Long?
These doors come with a warranty, so check for the time provided for the warranty. Compensation is done if your door fails, but the house should be yours. You can get entries with a one or three years warranty.
2. The Pros and Cons of Fiberglass Door
Pros
- It has a durable material. Unlike wood, fiberglass exterior doors don’t shrink and swell because they do not absorb water, so do not be worried about rotting. The doors are also smooth to open and close because they do not expand and contract.
- It is energy efficient. This door has an R-6, compared to the R-2 that wood has for energy efficiency. However, when you add windows that are not energy efficient, the door won’t be efficient.
- Low maintenance cost. You only need to clean it with a dump cloth if you notice stains. This door does not require repainting because it rarely fades. It does not absorb water, so it won’t swell. You also don’t have to worry about insects digging holes on it like wood.
The Cons
- It can crack– although it does not dent, this door cannot withstand a hard bang from a golf ball or during delivery.
- It might not fit well– it depends on the size of your space. Some fiberglass doors cannot be trimmed at all, and even those that can, you can only cut a maximum of half an inch on each side.
- It is expensive– compared to steel and vinyl, you will need to dig deeper into your pockets to get a good fiberglass door. However, despite the high cost of fiberglass exterior doors, you will always find it worth.