A Guide to Exterior Doors

Materials, Cost, and Efficiency

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Exterior doors are a necessary and important feature for any home, and if you’re considering buying a new door, there are plenty of options. However, before you buy a door, you have much to think about, such as door material, windows, energy efficiency, and cost. Let me help you decide which door is best for your home.

Exterior doors come in three materials: wood, steel, and fiberglass. Each has its pros and cons, including energy efficiency, maintenance, and cost.

Solid wood doors offer a natural beauty and are easily stainable. They can also be painted. They’re durable when properly maintained, but they must be maintained in order for them to last. Their solid construction provides a level of security as do all new doors. With proper maintenance, they can be good with energy efficiency, but they are susceptible to warping and pests, depending on the weather where you live. Wood doors offer a timeless look, and they can potentially enhance your home’s value. You can expect to pay approximately $800-2000 for the door, not including installation. 

Another option is steel doors. Steel doors are less expensive than wood doors, require less maintenance, and are sturdy. They are energy efficient as long as weather conditions aren’t too extreme. However, they are easily scratched and dented, which can lead to rust. It is impossible to stain steel, so paint is your only option. Keep in mind that paint can chip, so though they require less maintenance, you will most likely have to maintain the paint. You can expect to pay approximately $170-750, not including installation. 

Fiberglass doors are a terrific option because they are energy efficient and great insulators. They are also environmentally friendly. They are difficult to scratch or dent, and they don’t warp. Truly, they require minimal maintenance. Fiberglass doors come in a variety of styles, from good imitation wood to smooth finishes. They can be stained or painted, and because of their quality, they don’t need frequent staining or painting. The two negatives about these doors are: if you want a wooden door, these aren’t wood; they are more expensive than steel. You can expect to pay approximately $800-4000 before installation. 

Once you’ve chosen your door material, your next step is to choose style. 

Windows, Sidelites, and Transoms

Many homes have doors surrounded by windows that  add a decorative touch and allow light into the entry way. These windows are actually part of the entire door unit. The windows and door frame are “mulled” together to create the entryway. “Mulled” means that the frames of the door are attached to each of the windows to create the entryway. Sometimes these are referred to as “millwork window and door units”.

If you’re looking for a new front door, consider your current space. Do you have sidelites or room for a double door? Does your space accommodate a single door but you want some light to come in? There are more options for letting let into your space.

A sidelite is a vertical window next to a door. It  lets in light and enhances the beauty of a front entrance. 

For those who don’t have sidelites, doors come with single lites, windows in the top of the door or in the center of a door. These let in light while still providing privacy for your home. 

Another option is to put a transom window over the top of a door. Transoms allow extra light into the entryway and make the space on the interior and exterior feel bigger. Not all homes have the capability to have a transom window put in, which is why a single lite door might be the best option. 

The most common sidelite size is 12" wide, which offers the largest selection of glass options. 10" options are available in different parts of the US, but are less common. If a sidelite is important to you, there are options for this as well:

• ½ glass: only half of the sidelite is glass and the lower ½ portion is a flat panel painted to match the trim or the door color.

• ¾ glass: ¾ of the sidelite is glass leaving a small solid section at the bottom. This is a popular option for pet owners who want the light but don't want nose prints on the lower glass.

• ¼ glass: ¼ of the sidelite is glass at the top. This allows for privacy while still letting light into the space.This option is popular with the Craftsman ¼ glass door.

• Glass options are leaded, clear, and obscure.

Driving around your neighborhood, you’ll see variations of doors with sidelites. The most common combination is a single door with sidelites on both sides. These sidelites are non-operable windows and are the height of the door. Another option is the single door with one sidelite window.

Door Frame

Now that you’ve selected your door type, door style style and glass style, we need to discuss the most important part of a door, the frame. The frame of a door must be replaced when the door is replaced. Most likely the existing frame is a wood frame and showing signs of rot. All door types are available in a No-Rot/ poly-fiber frame. The poly-fiber frame won’t wick moisture causing rot, splintering, or warping. It’s also insect-proof.

As mentioned earlier, doors are sometimes attached to sidelites or transoms. It’s important to know that there are no rules against using different combinations of glass types for door, sidelite, and transom configurations. People often use a leaded door with clear glass sidelites and transom or a solid panel door with leaded sidelites and transom for more privacy. Staining and painting are also exempt from rules; you’ll often see a stained door within painted sidelites and transom or all stained or all painted. Regardless of your color selection, it’s important to use high quality paint or stain.

Next time you drive through your neighborhood, look at all the different door, sidelight, and transom styles as well as how their painted or stained. It will give you a great idea as to the look you want for your home. You’ll be surprised to find almost every style available in fiberglass.