As the door is the entrance to your residence and pathway to your family life, it needs to satisfy many requirements; it should be secure, yes, and efficient – of course. But it also needs to be aesthetically pleasing and give a positive first impression. When others visit or when you return from your work day, vacation, or quick trip to the store to buy milk, you need your front door to be a welcoming portal to the comfort of your home.
Throughout history, entrance doors have been made from several substances: animal skins, stone, brass, wood, and steel. Although it is true that in modern history, wooden front doors (and to a lesser extent, steel) have been the norm, in the past 20 years or so, fiberglass has become the preferred material for many reasons.
Pros:
Durability:
Fiberglass is strong and durable, which is one reason it has been used to make items such as boat hulls, swimming pools, surf boards, cars, helicopter blades, planes, and doors. Wooden doors can easily rot, scratch, or warp in excessive humidity, and steel or aluminum doors can just as easily scratch, dent, or even rust.
But fiberglass doors don’t have these types of problems. Another factor that lends itself to their durability is the fact that unlike heavy wood or metal doors, fiberglass doors are fairly light. This means that they don’t place undue stress on their hinges or the door frame. Fiberglass can resist mold, mildew, and moisture. Doors made from this material can last for decades.
Safety:
Fiberglass doors have a flame retardant composition, which makes them safer than wooden doors. They are also strong, and when paired with secure locks, are almost unbreakable. A burglar would not be able to easily force entry through this type of door.
Maintenance:
Because fiberglass doors are unaffected by weather (and yes, that includes Florida weather), you don’t have to worry about sealing or staining them! They don’t shrink or expand, and you will not need to sand them down or repaint them.
Cost:
Fiberglass doors may not be the cheapest option on the market, at least initially, but they are not exorbitantly priced. They cost less than a solid wooden door, such as one made from oak or mahogany, cost about the same as a high-end stock wood door, but cost more than a steel door. In the long run, you will save money with a fiberglass front door because you won’t have to worry about maintaining or replacing it.
Energy Efficiency:
Another way you will save money by installing a fiberglass door is through its ability to keep heat from entering the house in the summer months and to keep cold out during the colder months. These doors reduce heat transfer and eliminate air leakage, so your house will remain at your optimum temperature year-round. Who doesn’t want to save money on energy bills?
Appearance:
If you love the way solid wood doors look, we have good news. Fiberglass has progressed to the point in the past two decades where it is almost impossible to tell it from wood, even up close. Fiberglass can have the appearance of painted, stained, and natural wood, and can be given a wood-grained or smooth texture, depending on your taste and the style of the rest of your house. You can have the curb appeal that you covet while enjoying all of the benefits of fiberglass.
Trust the Experts with Your New Fiberglass Door
It can be difficult to make fiberglass doors in non-standard sizes. Also, because the door comes as a full unit, you will need it professionally installed rather than installing it yourself. But that’s why we’re here! Our team at American Window Products is experienced and proficient at this task. One of our customers remarked, “American Windows exceeded my expectations. Thank you for my wonderful addition to my home to be enjoyed and admired till death do us part!” You can read more of our many positive testimonials here.
If you would like to discuss the many options available to you with our beautiful, energy-efficient, and durable fiberglass doors, please call (904) 667-0873 or contact us online.