Which type of exterior door is better - fiberglass or steel?

Question

I have to replace my exterior door - all of it - sidelights,door, casings, threshold, etc. Which type is better? If it's any help, I live in the Atlanta area... I will be putting up a white unit with a black storm door (to compliment black shutters). I have someone that will put it in for $250, provided the wood frame isn't rotted... I'm ordering it from Lowe's. Thanks!

I have to replace my exterior door - all of it - sidelights,door, casings, threshold, etc. Which type is better? If it's any help, I live in the Atlanta area... I will be putting up a white unit with a black storm door (to compliment black shutters). I have someone that will put it in for $250, provided the wood frame isn't rotted... I'm ordering it from Lowe's.

Don't the steel door warp or get dented easier? That's my worry...
Thanks!

Typo... Should be "won't"...

Atlanta area... not the city... western suburb.

FYI - I live in a very quiet neighborhood. Now, the store claims fiberglass... The guy installing I think prefers steel... I'm not liking the idea of dents. I need something energy efficeint, will last, a looks nice.

Wood is NOT an option - that's the problem - frame rotting on a mot quite 5yr old house. I brought it w/ the door issue - HUD home. THere is a 1/2 in gap b/t the gutter and house, so the water pours onto the frame.

Answer 1

You`ll find very little warping from either. The glas will expand slightly in the warmer weather, but if installed correctly this should`nt be a problem. The steel will require more maintenance(painting). some time they`re hard to keep the rust off of them. The glas door obviously won`t have this problem. If you shop around you`ll find varying qualities of glas doors. Try to avoid the ones that an exposed wood rail and stile. Same with steel. These are the first places of rot formation. You can get glas doors that have composite rails and stiles. Security?? Really no advantages from one to the other. Of all the "break ins" I`ve repaired, 90% of the time the damage or failure in the unit has been in the jamb. Wood jambs seem to be more susceptable to splitting. A PVC jamb will withstand alot more force and is impervious to rot. Although it does require paint. Hope this helped more tha confused!!! GOOD LUCK!!!

Answer 2

I've replaced about five hundred exterior doors like this. Home Depot has a sale on exterior doors right now, they're very nice and reasonable, steel. Whoever is doing your job is giving you a deal but, should replace everything, even the frame with you paying the material of course. Good luck. P.S. Steel doesn't "dent" it takes quite a force. I had a contract with the Las Vegas police department for forced entries, steel doors always held up, fiberglass doors broke or shattered. This is of course with a SWAT team going through it. The frames will smash first.

Answer 3

I wouldn't worry about a steel door warping any more than fiberglass. Dents is another thing. If you hit ANY door hard enough, it will dent.
You can, however, repair a dent in a steel door just like you would fix a dent in a car.
Steel doors are heavier - if you were doing the installation yourself, that could be a problem - but you're saying someone else will do it. They don't seem to care if it's steel or fiberglass, do they? You might ask them.
Other than that, your only concern really is price and appearance.

Answer 4

I asked this same question a short time ago. After feedback and some research I went with fiberglass. More expensive but better in the long run. If I was you check stain options before you buy they are somewhat limited.

Answer 5

yea sweety it all depend on you environment, if its very wet, then fiberglass, great for boats and doors in wet conditions, if you are living in a very insecure neighborhood that is a little dryer but more violent then maybe steel, its a bunch of choices and priorities and decisions, steel conducts heat and rust, but it is strong, if its hollow core then it will dent, they can all be painted........id say it really gets down to the rust issue and the heat issue......

Answer 6

I vote for wooden.Dont know about fiberglass,but I DO know about metal doors.
Thinking that metal would be tuff,I bought a back door and a metal french door(exterior).Before long,it began to warp.AND I tried to paint them to match my exterior trim-but they refused to take an even coat, no matter how many I put on.I did prep. on the doors and all,but they just wouldnt hold the paint properly.They suck!

Answer 7

both doors are great.Metal will cost a little bit less and you can paint it much easier down the road.Fiberglass will not dent and is easier to keep clean but cost more.Its really up to you because both doors perform very well

Answer 8

Fiberglas for sure. All my steel doors are starting to rust.

Answer 9

You say you live in Atlanta? Steel, baby,steel and good bolt system, a doberman might be good too.....

Answer 10

Everything expands when it get's hot from sunlight. Yes, fiberglass too.

I'd go with steel.......