When you’re choosing a material for the front door of your home, you want something durable. The front door should be able to withstand wind, rain, and sunlight. More importantly, it must be able to keep intruders out. Another consideration is that they should complement the exterior design of the house.
Steel and wood are the primary materials used for front doors, as they are solid and durable. However, how do you choose between these two? Here are some comparisons to help you decide:
Cost
Steel doors are generally less expensive than wood doors. You can find low-end wood doors at a comparable price, but the quality may not be guaranteed.
Energy efficiency
Steel doors have higher insulating values, making them more energy efficient compared to wood doors. You can still select a wood door because other factors affect efficiency. Make sure that the door has a tight-fitting frame and energy-efficient cores.
Maintenance
Both wood and steel doors require care and maintenance for them to last longer. Steel doors need to be repainted from time to time to protect it from moisture and rust. Wood doors need refinishing every one to two years to protect the wood.
When it comes to repairs, wood doors are relatively easier to manage because they won’t deteriorate as quickly as the steel doors, and any damage may be fixed with sanding and refinishing. Steel doors may need sanding, filling, and repainting to remove the dents. Otherwise, the damage can worsen and lead to rust.
Style
Wood is undeniably beautiful with its natural colors and patterns, which can be enhanced with embellishments and carvings. It is warm and looks more welcoming to your home. There are designs and styles to choose from, as well as the type of wood, such as maple, oak, walnut, and pine.
Steel is a little stiff and cold for entry to your home. However, you still have design options, including wood grain pattern and paneled designs that make it look like wood. You can also paint it with any color you want.
Durability
Steel and wood doors are both durable, but many may find steel to provide more stability and security than most wood doors. Steel is stronger in a sense that a strong force may not be able to break it, while wood may crack with enough force. Whichever material you choose for your door, make sure that you install a high-quality door lock. Most intruders can get inside your house when the lock easily breaks.
Conclusion
Steel and wood are excellent materials to use as front doors for your home. Both have advantages and disadvantages, which you can weigh to see which one is more suitable to your needs and preferences.
Custom Contracting is a family-owned company that provides custom door installation services in and around Burlington and Hamilton Ontario – get in touch today to see how we can help!
