Hints on Choosing the Right Exterior Door Home Decoration Home Improvement by Lillian Connors - May 30, 2015November 18, 2015 Hints on Choosing the Right Exterior Door Installing a nice trustworthy front door can bring a new life to your home and make it look quite different from what it used to, especially if it is shabby and could use a little touching up. However, there are more options to consider and each brings something unique and special about it – price, appearance, safety or something else. Another important thing to think of is the energy efficiency and sustainability because a good front door will not only make your house warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer, but also have a major impact on your finances. So, when choosing between wood, fiberglass and steel, be sure to know their positive and negative sides before making the final decision. Here are some tips that might help you. Wood Doors Being the most luxurious and elegant of all three, it should not surprise anyone that wooden doors are popular with the majority of home owners. Yes, it can be more expensive than the other two, but it is also sturdier and more easily repaired should the need arise – if your wooden door has scratches, you can take care of them yourself without having to contact professionals. You can also repaint it annually or biannually to keep it look fresh and new. Wooden doors are the perfect choice both for people who want to make a statement and those who are interested in the ecological aspect of it, we learn from reputed Sydney-based suppliers of timber doors. Knowing that it comes from an eco-friendly environment and wood that was harvested in controlled conditions will give you a piece of mind – and also a respectable entrance into your home. Fiberglass Doors If you really want to have an abundance of options to choose from, fiberglass doors are right from you – they are made in various styles, techniques and colors and can even accurately imitate the looks of wooden doors, but at a lower price. In addition to their appearance and financial side, they include high level of security and longevity: with proper installation and treatment, they can last you up to two decades and still keep their original looks. Moreover, fiberglass doors can be easily protected against their biggest threat – fading from sun exposure. You can do it in a couple of steps that are neither expensive nor time-consuming, but will surely prolong the life of your front door even further. Their only semi-negative side is that they are not as financially returnable as steel doors. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com/creativecommons/ Steel Doors Offering a substantial amount of protection against burglars for not that much money, a steel door gives you a good ratio of price and quality. Depending on what your budget is and what kind of a neighborhood you live in, this choice might suit your needs and, in addition to that, you can install it quite easily without having to hire anyone. However, among the cons of this type of door is its durability – being constantly exposed to rain, wind and all sorts of bad weather makes it last for only about six or seven years, while wooded and fiberglass doors considerably surpass that period. Also, steel doors are often subjected to dents and hits that harm them, so be sure to assess the amount of potential damage before a purchase. Image courtesy of www.flickr.com/creativecommons/ How to Choose? When choosing an exterior door, try to combine the looks with the price and do not spend more than you can afford. Also, think of the door’s maintenance and how you expand its life span. Finally, take energy efficiency into consideration because it will directly affect the quality of your life.