Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors For Orange County Homes
Today’s Entry Doors is the #1 name in premium high-grade fiberglass entry doors here in the Orange County, CA area of the country.
It’s all we do.
We specialize in absolutely nothing else, so we’re schooled in all the details and specifics.
And it’s been this way for decades.
Every few years or so the ‘Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors’ argument resurfaces, and we start getting calls from homeowners — people asking us WHY we only install Fiberglass Doors. What about Steel Entry Doors?
We’ve taken the time to seriously study the pros and cons of all entry door materials. And Fiberglass just comes out on top every single time.
There’s an excellent reason that we exclusively recommend and install fiberglass doors. They’re the best choice for the Orange County, CA area because they combine all the core benefits:
- Low Maintenance
- Stunning Beauty
- Customizable Options
- Strong & Secure
- Energy Efficient
- Lifetime Warranty
Why don’t we recommend steel doors?
In short, there are two clear reasons:
- While both add levels of curb appeal, they’re not as attractive as wood or fiberglass options. Fiberglass can be stained and painted professionally at the factory for perfectly even, smooth, and refined finishes that last.
- Secondly, steel has a durability issue because it can dent relatively easily.
Did you know that under certain circumstances and without proper maintenance, heavy steel doors have been known to rust if not primed and painted?
Are steel doors less expensive?
Yes. Premium and custom-made fiberglass entry doors from America’s top manufacturers and installed with precision cost more upfront. However, the value and Return On Investment (ROI) is well-established. To get a better understanding, feel free to browse our many Entry Door Galleries – all installed here in the Orange County, CA area..
These doors are popular, dramatically increase curb appeal, and directly add value to your property.
Are steel doors high-maintenance?
No. Like fiberglass, they don’t require the normal upkeep of classic wooden doors like cleaning, re-staining, and repainting. In fact, painting steel doors can be a real hassle because most paints won’t want to stick! It’ll start to peel relatively soon.
Meanwhile, the fiberglass doors we install come with gorgeous guaranteed stains and factory finishes you can depend on.
Are steel doors weather-resistant as well?
Yes. Steel isn’t going to warp, rot, or swell like authentic wooden doors. Steel is ALMOST as impervious to Mother Nature as fiberglass…except for the whole rust issue. Fiberglass doors are one solid mold without seams, so there are just no moisture problems to worry about.
Which is more secure?
Here again, steel and fiberglass are pretty much on par with each other. Both provide strong, sturdy, Unbreakable Front Doors. It’s more about the added security features and the quality of the framing.
But again, steel doors can dent.
They can scratch pretty easily too.
And when this happens, they aren’t a cakewalk to get repaired!
Which Entry Door Has The Best Energy Efficiency?
This is where things get complex and fast. Energy efficiency has to do with an assortment of specific details that change from entry door to entry door. Modern fiberglass and steel entry doors systems deliver energy efficiency ratings beyond what your average wood door can offer.
- Fiberglass: Specialized full-fill polyurethane core, heat-resistant window trim, high-quality weatherstripping, impeccable glazing, etc.
- Steel: Not as good as an insulator and dependent on overall construction. Once you start looking at steel doors with glass, your design options within ENERGY STAR certification are rather limited compared to fiberglass.
Next Step: Give Today’s Entry Doors A Call
If you’re in the Orange County, CA area and would like to speak with an honest-to-goodness entry door specialist about this ‘Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors’ debate… give us a call.
Contact Us and we’ll be happy to give you all the specific details for our area, rather than the generalities you find online. We’ve got over three decades of experience helping homeowners around here, and we’ll help you too! Thanks for your time today, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.
