What Is the Best and Safest Front Door Material

Choosing a new front door for your home may seem straightforward - you just need to find something that looks good, right? Well, yes and no. Of course, you want any door you buy to give your house a strong curbside appeal. But there are other factors that are important as well. Most importantly, you want a door that will provide security so your family can relax knowing they are safe from any potential predators wanting to break in. Here are 3 important factors to help you decide the best material for your front door.

Security

The safety and security of your home should be at the top of the list when you are deciding what the best front door material is for your home. While other factors are important, they pale in comparison to the need to keep your family safe.

While there are a number of materials you can choose from, like wood, aluminum, and fiberglass, without a doubt, the safest front door material is heavy-duty steel. And, even though steel doors are the strongest and have a number of other benefits, they are also the least expensive type of door as well.

Steel doors have an internal frame that is either made from wood or steel to give them greater strength, with foam insulation filling the unused inner space. Because steel is so strong, these doors will hold up, no matter how much they are beaten, rammed, or abused.

Anyone trying to break into your home will find themselves in a losing battle if they try to break through one of these doors! And, because of the way they are constructed, steel doors also have other benefits for your home such as long-life durability and increased energy efficiency.

Durability

When looking at all the front door material options, durability and security go hand in hand. The stronger and more durable a door is, the harder it will be for someone to break through it. But durability isn't just about being able to take a beating.

Through years of wear and tear, even a strong door can begin to show signs of abuse. Steel is, again, a great option when looking for a durable door. While they can be prone to denting, they don't chip like wooden doors can, and any dents and dings can be pulled out and fixed with a car repair kit.

However, if you're looking for the material that will last the longest with the least maintenance required, the answer is fiberglass. This material is designed to not dent, chip, or rot and will last for years in all kinds of weather. And, when it's properly installed in a strong frame, it can be nearly as secure as a steel door.

While fiberglass is more expensive than steel, if you're looking to install the best all-around door that will provide security, energy efficiency, and long-term durability, fiberglass is a great way to go.

Energy Efficiency

Another major factor in choosing front door materials is how energy efficient they are. Again, fiberglass wins in this category. After all, it's a man-made material designed with energy use in mind.

All fiberglass doors have a thick layer of foam inside to protect your house from the elements and insulate your home for maximum energy efficiency. This can be true of steel doors as well, but there is more variability with steel, with some doors having efficient foams filling them, and others left empty besides the internal frame. Steel also naturally conducts heat more, making it less energy efficient. For a natural insulator, wooden doors are also a great choice. However, you need to choose a good hardwood option to get the most energy benefit out of a wooden door.

Because manufacturers work so hard to develop new ways to improve energy efficiency today, all three of these materials can make a good door for saving you money on your power bill. Choosing between them will really come down to deciding what your particular needs are, and which material will do the best job at meeting all of them.

How to Decide

With so many factors that go into which material will be the best for your front door, it can be hard to decide which one to choose. The best option is to have a professional who can help walk you through the process and figure out exactly what you need. That's why Expo Home Improvement is here to give you the guidance and support you need to buy and install the perfect door for your home.

We have a wide selection of all types of doors made from all the best materials. We'll make sure you get a door that's secure, durable, energy-efficient, all while looking great and increasing your home's curb appeal! So, call today to get a free quote and take the next step toward making your home the cozy, safe haven you want it to be!