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Getting started
We’ve found that most entry doors perform well overall. But the materials they’re made of–fiberglass, steel, and wood–each have strengths and weaknesses.
However, a steel door can be equal to a wood or fiberglass door costing five times as much. Steel also outperforms fiberglass and traditional wood under the extreme summer temperatures in the North Texas, Kansas, and Oklahoma areas. Since steel does not expand or contract it is perfect for areas that have extremes of temperature.
Going online
Whether you buy at a store or online, you’ll save time by doing some research online and at least visiting a store to truly see what you’re buying. Manufacturer sites describe materials and offer catalogs, and can help you to find a local retailer. And even if you don’t see the exact door you want, a similar model can give you a good idea of construction and finish.
Energy efficiency
Steel and fiberglass doors typically have more insulating value than wood doors. Models that are Energy Star-qualified must be independently tested and certified, and often boast tighter-fitting frames, energy-efficient cores, and, for models with glass, double- or triple-panel insulating glass to reduce heat transfer.
You’ll find more details on the federal EPA’s EnergyStar website. But you may not save as much as you think, since doors are a small part of the surface area of a house and typically don’t allow significant amounts of warm air to escape. What’s more, heat is generally lost through air leaks around the door, not through the door itself. So insure that the door you purchase is properly sealed.
Installation
Entry doors are also known as door systems because they come pre-hung in a frame and are often predrilled for a knob and deadbolt. Unless a replacement door is part of a larger remodeling project, you may want the new door to be the same size as the old one.
Choosing a larger door or adding sidelights means redoing the door framing around the door–a job best left to a contractor. Home centers generally offer installation or referral services. Unless you’re a skilled carpenter, you may also want to hire a pro to install same-size doors.
Keep yourself and your family safe
It takes a quality door lock to deter burglaries and home invasions. Many crooks kick in doors to get in. But unless your door is hollow, it’s not the door itself that lets burglars in. Our tests with a battering ram have shown little difference in strength among door materials.
All eventually failed because the doorjamb split near the lock’s strike plate, though we also found that beefed-up locks and strike plates can greatly increase a door’s kick-in resistance.
Some other ways to strengthen an exterior door: Use a lock with a 1-inch-long deadbolt and a reinforced metal box strike. Use 3-inch-long mounting screws so they lodge in the framing beyond the doorjamb. And don’t overlook the door that leads into your house from the garage.
