Exterior Doors"I Need a Replacement Door. What’s My Best Choice?"
If you’re going to replace your
door, look for a door
replacement that qualifies as
an Energy Star product.
Door Materials Make a Difference
Insulation and weatherstripping are is the most important ingredients in an energy-efficient door, but the visible outer surface determines how good a door looks, how long it lasts, and how much it costs. These material choices also apply if you want a door that contains insulated glass.- Fiberglass doors. This is the door that many people prefer because it’s got all the best qualities: strength, durability, energy efficiency and a good variety of style choices. The best-quality fiberglass doors can be made to look remarkably like genuine wood. Beneath the fiberglass exterior skin, there’s a core of foam insulation. Solid wood. The most traditional choice for an exterior door is also the least energy efficient. While it may be historically appropriate for an old house, a solid wood door will swell and shrink with temperature and humidity changes. It can also warp, bow and crack, making it difficult to maintain a weathertight seal, no matter how carefully weatherstripping is installed.
- Insulated wood doors. This is a good compromise if you want the look of a solid wood door without all of its problems. This type of door has a foam insulation core covered by wood veneer, with narrow solid wood strips along all door edges.
- Steel doors. With a foam core and steel skin, this type of door is solid, stable, durable and energy efficient. Style choices are limited, but you get good value for the money.
- PVC doors. These doors are very similar to fiberglass doors in appearance and construction.
