Exterior Door Types and Materials

Exterior doors play a vital role in the comfort, security, and appearance of your home. They are the focal point of curb appeal, the first impression for visitors, and help keep out the elements and unwanted visitors. That is why deciding on the exterior door type and material for your renovation project can feel overwhelming — but it doesn’t have to be.

Each exterior door type and material has unique advantages and drawbacks. Understanding your overall needs, such as a door that needs to stand up to intense humidity or one that can provide optimal insulation in cold climates, for example, will help you in selecting the perfect door.

We can help you compare and contrast the most common door types and materials on the market.

What Is an Exterior Door?

An exterior door is specifically designed to connect the indoor living space with the outside world. These doors are built to withstand various weather conditions, from intense sunlight and heat to cold, wind, and rain, ensuring durability and longevity. Exterior doors also play a crucial role in a home’s energy efficiency by preventing air leakage and maintaining a comfortable indoor climate.

When planning your exterior door home improvement project, the front door will likely get all the attention, but it’s not the only door that might be in need of replacement. New patio doors can offer a refreshed access to your backyard, deck or patio, and come with great views from your home’s interior.

Additionally, you might consider adding storm doors to your home for added protection from extreme weather conditions.

Types of Exterior Doors

1. Front Entry Doors

Front entry doors serve as the welcoming point of your home, setting the tone for the entire property’s design and ambiance. They can be grand and imposing or simple and inviting, often featuring decorative glass, intricate woodwork, or sleek modern designs to match the home’s architectural style.

Materials vary from solid wood for a classic, timeless look, to steel and fiberglass for enhanced security and energy efficiency. The versatility in design allows homeowners to express their personal style while also meeting functional requirements for insulation and security.

2. Patio Doors

Patio doors seamlessly blend indoor and outdoor living spaces, enhancing the home’s visual appeal and functionality. These doors are designed to maximize natural light and provide unobstructed views of the outdoor space, making them ideal for homes with gardens, decks, or patios. Available in materials like wood, vinyl, and aluminum, patio doors can be customized with various hardware and grid options to complement any home style.

They come in two primary types: sliding glass doors, which save space and offer a modern look, and French doors, which add a traditional or classical touch.

• Sliding Glass Patio Doors

Sliding doors are the most common style of patio door due to their lower cost and function — operating much like a large window that invites ample sunlight and fresh air into your home. These doors operate on a set of tracks and are often made from aluminum, wood or vinyl.

One important consideration when selecting sliding glass doors is ensuring they include maximum security features such as security bars or reinforced glass.

• French Patio Doors

French patio doors offer your home a touch of elegance with highly-customizable glass insert options, as well as the ability to make them swing inside or outside, feature left- or right-handed hardware, or opt to have only one of the doors open. 

These doors are typically made from aluminum, vinyl or wood, and feature the same benefits as their respective front door materials. French doors also provide more security and privacy than their sliding patio door counterparts.

3. Storm Doors

A storm door might seem clunky or obnoxious to some, but they serve very important purposes that can help better protect your home and offer an additional layer of energy efficiency. These doors can are often steel, composite or aluminum, and come in a variety of styles including glass and screen options.

• Steel 
  • Extremely durable and resistant to cracking and warping.
  • Most expensive and heaviest option.
• Composite
  • The best option for energy efficiency.
  • Great protection from storm conditions (rain, wind, etc.), but not as suitable for extreme heat or cold.
• Aluminum
  • Durability is comparable to that of steel storm doors.
  • Excel at protecting homes from extreme heat and cold.

4. Security Doors

Designed with safety and protection in mind, security doors are robust barriers against intrusions. Crafted from heavy-duty materials such as wrought iron, steel, or reinforced aluminum, these doors are not only strong but also aesthetically pleasing, offering designs that range from minimalist to ornate.

They often incorporate advanced locking systems, including deadbolts and electronic locks, to provide homeowners with peace of mind. Security doors can also feature decorative elements, such as glass inserts or artistic metalwork, allowing them to enhance a home’s curb appeal while ensuring maximum security.

Exterior Door Types: Materials

After considering the various types of exterior doors, selecting the right material is the next step. Each material offers different advantages in terms of durability, maintenance, energy efficiency, and cost.

Steel

If you are looking for a door that will provide your home with maximum security from the outside elements or intruders, consider a steel entry door.

Steel doors are:

• Relatively inexpensive.
• Stronger than most other materials.
• Energy-efficient thanks to core insulation.
• Weather-resistant, which protects your home from the elements and also decreases the likelihood of the door warping over time.
• Require little maintenance.

While steel doors require little maintenance compared to their counterparts, they can be susceptible to dents or scratches that can eventually expose them to harsh weather.

Fiberglass 

Fiberglass doors are becoming a more popular option for homeowners thanks to their durability and aversion to weather damage. They also offer long warranties, ensuring your door will be protected for years to come.

Fiberglass doors are:

• Easy to install.
• One of the most durable door materials available.
• Low maintenance.
• Energy-efficient.
• Weather-resistant.
• Available in different wood grain textures to mimic the look of a real wood door.
• High-quality composite construction makes fiberglass an ideal choice for extreme climates and high-traffic entrances.

Wood 

Wood doors are the standard choice for many homeowners and are often viewed as the most desirable of door materials thanks to their beauty and aesthetics.

Wood doors are:

• Heavy and sturdy, that offer homeowners a traditional, elegant look.
• Secure and dent-resistant.
• Available with or without glass features.
• Highly customizable.
• A wide range of woods to fit any budget — from less expensive composite woods or pine to the more luxurious mahogany or maple.

Despite their prestige, wood doors — especially those lacking a sufficient overhang — can be impacted over time by the elements. This means that a wood door will require regular maintenance in order to keep it looking as nice as the day you buy it. In order to protect it from warping, rotting or expanding, a wood door will require occasional repainting and staining every couple of years.

Aluminum 

Aluminum doors are most commonly used for storm or patio doors, but they are sometimes used as a standard entry door. If used as a front door, they need to be custom-built for your home which can greatly increase their price.

Aluminum doors are:

• Resilient. They do not rust and don’t require repainting.
• Offer long warranties, sometimes up to 20 years.
• Low maintenance.

Vinyl 

Vinyl is often used as an option for patio doors, but their use as a front entry door material has been recently increasing. 

Vinyl doors are:

• The lowest-priced door material option.
• Energy-efficient.
• Extremely weather-proof.
• Require little maintenance.

Wrought Iron

Wrought iron is a popular door material for front doors and patio doors alike. It is a great option if you are looking for a stylish appearance that will boost your curb appeal. Plus, it accommodates custom glass panes and add-ons to allow natural light, and is one of the most secure types of entry door materials.

Wrought iron doors are:

• Very durable and weather-proof.
• High-security option.
• Accommodates glass panes and natural light.
• Very energy-efficient.

Make sure to ask your contractor which material is ideal for your home, depending on your location, weather, and style preferences.

Exterior Door Types: Styles

Choosing a style for your new door can be one of the most enjoyable parts of your door replacement project! Whether you are replacing a front door, patio door, or other entrance door, the style you choose can boost your home’s curb appeal and help it to really shine from the outside. Consider some styles that match your design preferences:

• Classic
• Mid-century
• Modern or Contemporary 
• Mediterranean
• Craftsman 
• Victorian
• Colonial 
• Industrial 
• Southwestern 
• Barn door

Hire a Quality Door Contractor

There are many options when it comes to exterior door types and materials. This list can serve as a starting point to help you understand the benefits of each door material, but working with a trusted contractor, such as those available through Modernize, will help you narrow down what door is the best fit for your home and budget.