Fiberglass vs. Steel front entry door

11 years ago

Looking to replace a front door and storm door, faces west so it gets a lot of afternoon sun...and DC area so temperatures can get up there during the summer.

I've been reading about possible concerns with heat getting trapped by the storm door.

With that in mind, would fiberglass or steel be the better option? Looking at HMI or Therma-Tru brands if that makes a difference.

Thanks!

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Comments (3)

mmarse1
11 years ago
HMI is a much better designed door than a therma tru especially from an engineering/ design perspective. Much more solid.
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HomeSealed
11 years ago
Fiberglass and steel are both good options. Personally I prefer FG, but again, both will serve you well for a long time as long as you get a good product. Regarding the storm, you'll want to vent that space during the summer whether it is steel or FG to reduce excess heat buildup. Both door materials use plastic window surrounds, and that is typically the first item to show damage from heat.
Secondly -- and more importantly, if you are in the DC area, you need to contact Windows on Washington. Phenomenal company.
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They both should be about the same at the end of the day. The fiberglass is nice from the standpoint that it does not dent if you bump into it whereas a steel panel door has that potential. You are probably going to get a bit better finish in a factory finished option, but there is no reason that you can't get a good finish on a primed door with a good painter (this is critical here). The residential paints out there are so good now that they hold up really well if properly applied over a prepped substrate. We wash out door occasionally (not in direct sunlight) and treat it with a kind of quick detailer spray to help protect the paint.
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Our Classic-Craft collection is a premium line and has been named #1 Brand Used Most and #1 in Quality for 2019 in the Builder Brand Use Study conducted by Hanley Wood as well as being named a Best Buy by Consumers Digest https://www.thermatru.com/explore-doors/door-collections/classic-craft/. To see them in person, we suggest visiting a local dealer of this particular collection to see the quality for yourself.
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Actually, no, a listed and stickered fire rated door is not the only option. Your locality would have had to amend the IRC national code to eliminate the choice of using a non-listed door. The steel wrap itself is more damage-proof than a fiberglass wrap, in terms of complete security. However, the steel can get small dents easier. Fiberglass is in general more costly than steel doors. I typically suggest that the type of door can match the front door material, and/or if you want to match the style of your interior doors that might even eliminate steel for some patterns.
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mmarse1
11 years ago
Agree on windows on washington,,
HMI have a built in ventilation system in their storm doors in order to prevent any heat build up between the enry door and the storm . Very cool feature.
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Fiberglass vs. Steel front entry door

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mmarse1

HomeSealed

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