If your planning on using a storm door, DO NOT get the door painted black nor paint it a dark color. The glass surround will invariably melt or warp, and the door more than likely will not be warrantied. Pretty much every steel and fiberglass door company i have ever dealt with will not warrant a door painted a dark color under any circumstances.

Wow, that's interesting. I've seen lots and lots of dark (including black) doors with storm doors in our neighborhood. Does it matter that it's under a porch and will not ever see direct sun?

I should point out that the black color is only available on fiberglass and textured steel. Not available on the smooth steel. I have no idea why.

I would definitely recommend the factory paint. I would also disagree that black mutes the beauty of the camed glass. If anything it enhances the look. I would also spend a little more and get the rear doors in 20 gauge steel. Why would you want to have the doors most in need of security made of the thinnest steel? I would think you'd want the heaviest gauge steel on rear doors. I would also make sure the installer puts in the steel security plate for the deadbolt lock.

>I should point out that the black color is only available on fiberglass and textured steel

Very good to know. Weird.

>Why would you want to have the doors most in need of security made of the thinnest steel?

I am unclear to what extent the steel thickness affects the security of the door. Is literally breaking through or cutting through the door panel a likely means of break-in? By that theory, wouldn't any fiberglass door be comparatively insecure? I had thought that weakness in the frame and/or locks was more likely to be exploited by a would-be intruder.

In the meantime, our decision pendulum might be swinging back towards Heritage fiberglass with a woodstain finish (for the front door at least). Don't worry, we'll change our minds a few more times again before we order!

Neilw
Did you go with the Heritage fiberglass from Provia and are you happy with your choice. I am in the process of deciding on a few entry doors. I am considering the Provia Heritage fiberglass in a dark color for the front door.
Was also wondering how a black door would look on brick house that has white shutters and white garage door. any thoughts?

That post was from 2 years ago. Black is now available on the smooth steel as well as Signet Fiberglass. I think a black door will go well with white shutters.

Thanks Eco!

The Provia Heritage is a great door. You would not be disappointed in that choice.

We did end up going with the Heritage fiberglass in... I dunno, I think it was "dark oak" or something like that. Very happy with the results, although I probably would still had preferred the black if it had been available.

Quality is excellent, and the door is smooth as silk (operationally speaking.) Although, with a fiberglass door, I'd say the long term durability is the bigger question, and we won't know the answer to that for a while.

In any case, I don't know for sure if the door I got is so much better than less expensive doors or not, but I certainly feel like I got a high quality product.

We decided on the Provia Signet Fir in Black with lehigh glass due to the style door we want.
Thanks for all the feedback!