- Views: 9
- Report Article
- Articles
- Home & Garden
- Furniture
Considerations Involved While Buying Exterior Doors

Posted: Aug 23, 2016
Exterior doors are generally responsible for creating the first impression of the house. It is hence important to choose it with care. Best exterior doors are the one that complement the architectural elements and style of the home. There are a number of exterior front doors available that may be purchased according to requirement. These doors may be chosen according to preference and budget.
Factors to consider while buying exterior doors
Exterior doors are of various types. They may be made of PVC, fibreglass, wood, aluminium or steel. Many doors may also be made by combining various materials. These types of doors may be made by using wood for the inner frame, polyurethane for the door core and PVC, aluminium or steel for the outer surface. However, amongst the various types of external wooden French doors are considered the most durable and are hence extremely popular. While choosing the doors, it is also advisable to consider the lock and handle. This ensures compatibility of the locksets with the frame installation procedure of the door. The various types of materials used for making exterior doors have their own set of advantages and disadvantages. The distinct features of the various types of materials used for the doors include:
Steel doors
The doors made of steel are versatile and are well suited for numerous architectural styles. The main qualities of a steel door include easy maintenance, airtightness, longevity and rigidity. Some steel doors which have glass panels are extremely popular. High quality steel doors usually consist of magnetic weather stripping which makes them air tight.
Wooden doors
Wooden doors make the most popular exterior doors. Nowadays, most wooden doors consist of laminates which makes them resistant to warping. Doors which do not contain these laminates may warp easily on exposure to various types of weather elements.
A majority of wooden doors consist of veneer panels. The insulation material is usually injected between two panels. This process helps in improving the insulation qualities of the wood French front doors. These types of doors generally make a good investment as they are usually extremely durable. Painting these doors can help in sealing the wood which protects them against humidity. In order to increase the quality of doors being airtight, it is advisable to use the feature of interlocking weather stripping. There are many types of woods that may be used for making exterior doors. The main ones include:
Pine wood doors
Amongst the various types of wood, pine wood is the most popular. It is light weight and can easily be used to create various types of bespoke Front doors. These doors can be made to look attractive by applying varnish or paint. Their durability also increases with paint application. This wood is resistant to heat and is also capable of withstanding cold conditions and humidity levels. The knotty appearance of the wood gives a unique and appealing appearance.
Cedar doors
This wood is extremely convenient to use and can be varnished easily. It ages naturally and is extremely light weight. It is generally considered more durable than the other species of wood.
PVC Clad wood
This type of wood offers middle solution between wooden and PVC doors. These doors do not require much maintenance. These made to measure front doors consist of natural wood interior frames and PVC exterior frames.
Aluminium clad wood
Aluminium is extremely rigid. Aluminium clad doors generally consist of aluminium frames and are resistant to dents. They offer ease of maintenance although their installation may require certain amount of caution. Installation procedures may differ according to the different types of doors. It is also important to measure the doors accurately in order to ensure that they offer the best fit. Apart from this, a number of other factors may be considered.
Fiberglass doors
These doors are generally moulded around polyurethane core. This feature makes them rigid and resistant to damage. They can also resist warping and shrinking on exposure to sun, humidity or when subject to fluctuations in temperatures. These doors are generally available in a range of textures and colours. The various moulding techniques used help in giving them the appearance of natural wood grain. These doors offer ease of maintenance and can be cleaned using water and soap. Regularly checking for signs of weather stripping and make these doors last longer.
PVC doors
PVC doors are extremely light weight. They are rigid and corrosion resistant and help in reducing the losses caused due to energy and heat. In appearance it resembles a steel door and requires lesser maintenance.
Aluminium
Aluminium doors are the most popular exterior doors. Since these doors are extremely light weight they are best suited to be used as sliding doors. These doors are water resistant and offer ease of maintenance. However, these doors do not provide good thermal insulation.
Conclusion
Front doors are available in a wide range. The different types of materials used help to lend a unique appeal to them. A suitable material may be chosen according to preference.
About the Author
Martin Williams is passionate about writing informative articles related to the furniture industry. He is owner of TimberMaster LTD. - Bespoke wooden windows, doors & furniture Manufacturer in UK.
Rate this Article
Leave a Comment
