Two years ago we replaced the steel Jeld-Wen door in our 1996 built home. It was rotting around the base. This was a door with sidelights and elliptical window above. Cost of steel door was around $5700 plus installation. We couldn't find any other dealers/brands that could "fit" the opening in our brick home or were interested in dealing with it. Needless to say even the new Jeld-Wen door didn't quite fit as expected after numerous measurements by dealers before ordering. If you're getting a door with sidelights make sure it's a continuous seal along the bottom. That helps so the dividers don't wick up moisture & rot. We also went with a non-wood product so the dividers won't rot plus it's covered so we'll never need to paint. We went with a factory paint finish on the door that I hated after installation so immediately had an auto body company repaint. We've had no problems with denting in the 14 years of a steel door on any of our doors. I do use a magnetic door plate at the base- ordered from Amazon I think. We have had problems with leaking with both the old Jeld-Wen and the new Jeld-Wen door around the windows when we get a hard driving horizontal rain. Recently I took some auto-sealant around the windows on the exterior to seal any cracks and that seems to have solved the problem. We went with steel because we get direct sunlight from the south and don't have any major overhang to protect the door. We were told the fiberglass would fade and perhaps have more problems than the steel. We were also told not to get a storm door due to the heat build-up. Hope this helps a little. I have no experience with the other brands or fiberglass. Therma-tru was the brand I wanted to get at replacement, but their elliptical was a different shape. In hindsight, I kind of wish we had a fiberglass. We have an oval window that the guys in our house wanted. Now wish we had a full rectangle - it seems to be more modern. Good luck with your decision.

Thank you for choosing ProVia as your entry door choice. I am glad to assist you regarding your questions. First, let me explain that the fiberglass woodgrain texture feels and looks like a true woodgrain. It will take to a stain or paint beautifully giving your entry way a look of beauty and elegance. For an entryway, we recommend our fiberglass door. We have several glass options and stain options that will best complement your 'painted lady' home. Secondly, if you choose a textured steel woodgrain, it will have an embossed pattern that will look like woodgrain, but not a deep grain that the fiberglass woodgrain offers. Our steel doors are excellent for both security and beauty. Please visit our website to see all of the available door options you can choose from. You can also call our excellent customer service department to find a dealer nearest you. Our customer service is available Mon - Fri. 8am - 5pm Eastern Standard Time. Again, thank you for choosing ProVia. ProVia's Mission: To serve, by caring for details in ways others won�t Here is a link that might be useful: Signet entry doors

No question Provia makes the best doors whether it's steel or fiberglass. I don't think I have ever replaced an old Provia, but I have certainly replaced nearly every other brand including the cheap doors people foolishly buy from hardware stores. I'm kind of surprised you can't afford the painted Heritage Fiberglass Provia Door. It's a little more than the 20 gauge smooth steel, but not that much more. Have you looked at the texture steel Provia? My advice would be to get another estimate from a different Provia dealer. Don;t settle for second best when it comes to your doors. You will never be sorry for buying quality products.

Ksc36 - I disagree with you about the composite door jambs. Do you actually have a door with them? I drank the marketing Kool-aid when I ordered my new door, and chose the composite door jambs that replaced the 25-year-old wood door jambs. I am wondering if you did same. The wood jambs are heavier, feel solid. The composite door jambs feel light, and not solid. I should have realized that the composite door thing is a way for door companies to charge more for something that is much cheaper for them to manufacture, and so they made up a bunch of hooey to make people buy them. Sounds great in the brochures though. The owner of the door contracting company told me he has begun steering his customers away from the composite jambs now that he's had some experience with them.