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Kitchen Door to Deck: Fiberglass or Aluminum Clad?

16 years ago

For access from kitchen to deck, we will specify a 30- to 32-inch out-swinging door with a 12-inch side lite (the combination must fit into a previously existing rough opening). They will have full exposure to the elements (rain, strong sun, no snow, moderate temperatures), so we need a low- to no-maintenance exterior and an attractive interior. Based on preliminary research, it seems that we have two choices, both of which come with low-E insulated glass:

1) at lower price points, a door that is fiberglass on both sides and, when painted, gives the appearance of opaque painted wood with no grain (example: ThermaTru SmoothStar; we did not care for the look of their "woodgrain" interior fiberglass models).

2) at higher price points, a door with a fiberglass- or aluminum-clad exterior and a wood (pine or fir) interior that can be stained or painted (examples: Milgard, JeldWen).

If anyone has experience with any of these doors, I'd be grateful for your knowledge, specifically, pros and cons of

1) aluminum vs. fiberglass exteriors

2) factory finish vs. self-painting of aluminum or fiberglass exteriors

3) pine vs. fir interiors for staining

4) the appearance of low-E glass vs. regular window glass

And if you know of additional alternatives, please share. Thanks so much!

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Comments (5)

ci_lantro
16 years ago
Out-swinging because of interior space constraints? Do you live in windy country? Have you considered using a 42" door? A 30" exterior door is just tooooo narrow. My back door is 32" and it's a pain.

Another option would be to use a 36" door & fill in the xtra space. You can always use shutters on the exterior side if matching material is difficult to impossible (brick siding?)

Metal clad doors are subject to getting little dents...kids or dogs?
maydl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks ci_lantro! I didn't know that I could get a 42-inch door; I'll ask the door people about that when they come to measure, and meanwhile I'll peruse the catalogs. I'd be afraid of how heavy all that glass would be, though. We have fairly ordinary wood siding on our house; it shouldn't be difficult to fill in any gaps. No kids, one 10-pound dog that doesn't make much of a dent in a pillow, much less a door!
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For most door applications, I like aluminum clad over wood more than fiberglass if you're staining on the interior. It just looks more "real" because it IS real wood. However, everyone has a different value for what they find attractive looking. But for a bifold system as you stated - that is a different matter. The wood to a certain degree would be exposed to the temperature changes and humidity. The cladding would stand up to the weather but I don't know about the wood side. With that concern I would consider fiberglass over wood/clad. Also, if you're painting the interior, then the advantage of wood is gone. Another concern is brand and dealer. Who would service the doors if the hardware fails? The glass fails? Good luck with your research and decision.
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I am not sure that Fiberglass is "greener" or more efficient and that also depends on what you are comparing it to. Fiberglass with have better thermal numbers than even a thermally broken aluminum. I would not eliminate a Aluminum clad wood (I think that is what you Weathershield option is) window from your selection options if you decide you want to another option. All things considered, you are going to have a hard time matching the aesthetics or build quality of that Marvin Integrity. Biggest issue with that window is the stock size program. That is a moot point in a new construction application because you can build it to whatever you need it to fit. That would be my choice if I were building right now.
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I'd recommend looking at JELDWEN's Siteline EX product. I used to sell Marvin's for years and still do once in awhile. In my area, I sell almost 7 figures a year in JELDWEN windows. I can say that their quality is near Marvin's and is 30% less. They also have a color called "Artic Silver" which looks like clear anodized but is an applied finish. Anodized coating SUCK as they scratch easily and cannot be touched up. If you don't believe me, ask your dealer what they warranty is on anodized product. If they don't say 5 years or less, ask for it writing prior to ordering. Artic Silver is a 10 year warranty through JELDWEN(20 years if you look at their Custom series product, which is equal to Marvin). As for Hurd, if they're close to the same price as Marvin I would pick the Marvin if you're not interested in JELDWEN. Hurd is a crappy brand name and what's the point of buying "knock offs" if there's not enough savings to justify it? I don't go to the flea market and expect to pay 10% less. My advice, look at JELDWEN's Siteline EX product. If you don't like the quality, buy Marvin. Find a GOOD dealer in your area that knows what he's doing and you feel you can work with. Call the manufacturer and see who they prefer in your area(they'll give you their best dealer who buys the best). Lastly, remember pricing isn't everything. One mistake can easily suck out what you saved by "shopping around"...
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Good info here. I have been shopping Pella, Marvin, JenWeld, LLuminare and Softlite. The quotes are all over the place- or not coming in at all ?? This is what I need: new construction 46 windows, many "fixed" /picture windows, rest are casement, slider, horizontal slider, awning. Looking for contemporary/ modern look with black or dark aluminum exterior and black interior aluminum clad - frameless, mounted with a drywall wrap look and adding some ornamental sills later in specific rooms. Appreciate any advice for vendors in GEORGIA. ( house is in 30522 zipcode)
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mooring_girl
16 years ago
I have JeldWen aluminum clad with wood interior doors. They are nicely constructed. I wanted no maintenance exterior. If you buy a fiberglass door and plan to paint the exterior, you will be painting it as the door ages. The prefinished aluminum cladding has lower maintenance requirements.

Unless something goes badly wrong with the hinges, the weight of the door shouldn't be an issue.

Best of luck.
Bert31
16 years ago
If you live in a cold area go Fiberglass. I am in NJ and have a Metal front door, it transfers the cold to the inside. Also in the summer, if is real humid out and we have the AC cranked up, it sweats on the outside, since the metal is transfering the cold from the inside to the outside of the house. Tony M
maydl
Original Author
16 years ago
Thanks, mooring_girl, for the feedback on JeldWen. I should have realized that aging paint on fiberglass would be an issue. The big question is whether any of the factory finishes will look decent with our house paint, since the deck is at the front of the house, not the more private back side. We will have to wait to see the dealer's finish samples.

ajm51, we live on the Monterey Peninsula, never too hot or too cold, and no air conditioning, so a sweating metal-clad door shouldn't be an issue.

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