Exterior doors are more than just an entryway—they’re a statement of style, a safeguard for your home, and a critical factor in energy efficiency. The right door enhances your home’s curb appeal, provides security, and can even improve insulation to keep energy costs in check. From traditional wooden designs to modern fiberglass and steel options, today’s exterior doors offer a balance of beauty, durability, and functionality.

This guide will explore key factors to consider when selecting an exterior door, helping you make an informed choice that suits your home and lifestyle.

Numerous door styles and designs exist to complement your home. Choose based on functionality first.

Manufacturers offer an array of front door designs, including those with or without glass panels, ornate details, and energy-efficient materials.

Front entry doors include:

• Single doors: The most common style is this door, which may have a sidelight or a secondary glass panel that runs the same height as the door but does not open or close.
• Double doors: Double doors improve access for larger items while also creating more of an impactful design statement. Double entry doors feature two doors that open from the center into your home.
• Solid doors: Steel and fiberglass are common options for solid doors. These doors provide ample privacy and security. Solid wood doors are heavier but offer a more rustic feel to the space.
• Glass door inserts: Some doors incorporate glass patterns and styles to add beauty and energy to a space while still offering privacy.

Patio doors are typically at the back of the home and open into the backyard. They are less of a statement piece but still play a role in the overall design of the home. Choose doors that blend the outdoors and indoor spaces, welcoming people out into the backyard. Options include:

• French doors: French patio doors are two doors that open from the center, swinging outward in opposite directions. They are quite a beautiful, elegant addition that provides ample light access.
• Sliding glass doors: More common in suburban homes, these doors are highly durable and secure but also enable ample natural light and better efficiency than other styles.
• Folding patio doors: Designed to be space-saving, these doors can be a good option when you want to make the most of the door’s entrance area.

When choosing exterior door materials, carefully consider:

• Cost: The price of exterior doors varies widely based on material, with wood being more expensive but elegant, fiberglass offering affordability and design flexibility, and steel providing strength at a lower cost.
• Energy-efficiency: Fiberglass and steel doors with foam core insulation are highly energy-efficient, reducing drafts and lowering heating and cooling costs, especially when ENERGY STAR-rated.
• Aesthetics: Exterior doors impact curb appeal, with wood offering timeless beauty, fiberglass mimicking wood textures in various finishes, and steel adding a sleek, modern touch.
• Insulation: Materials like fiberglass and steel with foam cores excel in insulation, while wood provides natural insulation but may need more maintenance.
• Security: Steel doors offer the most robust security, fiberglass performs well with quality locks, and wood requires reinforcement to resist splitting.

Next, we’ll cover the most popular materials doors are made in.

Wood doors provide a natural feel and long-term performance. They offer classic aesthetics as they can be either stained or painted and may feature carvings, detailed wood trim, or other added elements to make them ornate.

Pros of wood doors:

• Natural beauty
• Customizable with various detailing or simplistic features

Cons of wood doors:

• Depending on the type, they may require sanding and staining or painting over time
• They are susceptible to weather damage and pests more so than other doors
• Generally the most expensive door material

Steel doors are by far the most durable in terms of security and fire resistance. They can be an excellent choice for garage entrance doors, side doors, and basement doors where privacy and protection are priorities.

Pros of steel doors:

• Affordable
• Low maintenance
• Energy efficient depending on the type
• Best exterior door for security

Cons of steel doors:

• Can dent from a strike to the door
• May rust if not properly maintained
• Less aesthetically pleasing

Fiberglass doors are a popular choice because of their lower long-term maintenance costs and overall durability. They are not always the most affordable exterior doors, but they add to the overall good aesthetics.

Pros of fiberglass doors:

• Low maintenance with no painting or staining to worry about later
• Excellent energy efficiency thanks to their insulative qualities
• Wide range of styles and designs, much broader than steel

Cons of fiberglass doors:

• Can be more expensive initially than steel
• Not as customizable as wood doors

Aluminum doors are a reliable option for their competitive prices and simplistic design, though custom exterior doors are also an option.

Pros of aluminum doors:

• Lightweight design for easy opening and closing
• Corrosion-resistant
• Can better match a window package if using the same material

Cons of aluminum doors:

• Less insulative and not as energy efficient
• Typically higher price point depending on options

Glass doors make the home feel more open and connected to nature as they allow natural light to stream in. Often used as a patio door or a decorative front entry door, they can offer aesthetic charm and functionality.

Pros of glass doors:

• Enhances natural light into the home
• Aesthetic appeal, especially with decorative features

Cons of glass doors:

• Less privacy (though some have privacy-designed features)
• Higher energy loss potential if not selected properly

You certainly need doors that fit your specific functional needs. However, from there, consider the following:

• Budget: Set a budget for the door. Consider the long-term costs of maintaining it, not just the initial purchase price. Note the quality of the material and how much customization may cost.
• Style: When it comes to curb appeal, choose doors that match or blend with the architecture of the home. Whether you are looking for modern doors, rustic doors, perhaps even farmhouse or contemporary designs, they should be cohesive or a bold statement.
• Functionality: When considering smart exterior doors, consider insulation, weatherproofing, and durability based on where you live. In a highly humid area, wood doors are less ideal due to warping risks. Energy-efficient exterior doors may have built-in insulation or be naturally efficient. Consider low-E glass doors, weatherstripping options, reinforced locks, and overall security of the door.
• Maintenance: Some doors require very little maintenance, while others need painting and caulking. Consider the lifespan of the door’s material. When well maintained, most doors can last decades.
• Security features: Some exterior door materials lend themselves to security, such as steel doors, which are fire resistant. Consider the value of smart exterior doors that incorporate cameras or sensor technology. For added protection, consider reinforced doors for garage doors and side entrances, locking systems that are more fitting to your needs, and impact-resistant materials like steel.

The cost of purchasing doors ranges widely. Door styles and designs are flexible based on brands, size, and location. Which doors are the most expensive based on materials?(price range based on single door.)

• Fiberglass doors tend to range from $700 up to $3,000
• Steel doors range from $400 up to $1,500, depending on the application
• Wood doors range from $1,000 up to $6,000, depending on features
• Aluminum doors range from $1,500 to $3,500

Also consider the additional costs often associated with exterior doors, including:

• Installation costs, including the cost to remove and dispose of old doors
• Hardware (which can range widely based on the type and style)
• Door frames and updates to the structural components

Yes. A poorly insulated or poorly fitted door can be a major source of energy loss, which means unnecessarily high bills every month. Energy-efficient doors help to reduce your utility bills year after year. Specifically, look for ENERGY STAR doors, as these doors are tested and proven to meet or exceed energy efficiency standards, providing measurable savings compared to non-certified options.

There’s much to consider about the way you can customize your door:

• Door colors and finishes: Choose those that compliment your home or add a pop of contrasting color. Also, consider the lifespan of any finish, recognizing
• that staining or painting may require frequent updates.
• Decorative glass inserts: Excellent for enhancing the aesthetics and allowing some light into them, decorative glass can offer visibility and privacy options while also offering a more upscale look.
• Hardware: Handles, knockers, mail slots, and peepholes are all details available if you’re interested in them. Remember that any feature you add could impact the door’s energy efficiency.
• Smart features: When considering door installation costs, consider using smart locks, video doorbells, and keyless entry systems for added security and better home entrance.
• Door size and custom shapes: You can certainly choose doors in a wide range of styles and have features like arches included. If you need an extra-wide door, customization is possible.

Professional installation by Schaaf is essential to ensure proper fit, security, and insulation. Our team is dedicated to superior customer service and close attention to every detail. That ensures superior installation on time, with precision results, and long-term durability.

DIY is not recommended for most entry doors. Poor alignment, insulation gaps, and, in some cases, structural damage to the existing entrance can end up costing more or leaving you with a poorly installed door in the long run.

Instead, hire a licensed and insured contractor, like Schaef, who offers highly experienced technicians who install doors efficiently and effectively. Before choosing a contractor, ask these questions:

• What warranty comes with this door, and does your installation process match the expectations of the manufacturer?
• What will be done to minimize any risk to the door during installation?
• How long does the project take, and what do I need to do to ensure the best outcome?

Specializing in windows and door, Schaaf is the ideal professional to contact for high-quality exterior door installation. We offer comprehensive, custom door installation, excellent customer service, long-lasting, properly installed products, and attention to detail. Let us help you improve the value and curb appeal of your home. Contact us now for a consultation.