Fiberglass, Metal or Wood??

Front doors is what I'm talking now....
I have always preferred the look of real wood..
What is the attraction to the other materials? They seem to be the same price wise ( with in a few hundred bucks which at the price of the door we're talking 20% perhaps and I figure over a lifetime that much isn't that important).

Why is one better than another? Or is it?



(I'm gonna drive you guys nuts till we get the house built! )

[J-Excel]

I'd say it depends on the what the rest of the house is like. I'd go with metal for a modern house, and maybe wood for a retro, rustic or older house. Never heard of fiberglass for doors. Sounds cheap.

[Theophylact]

Security is the only reason I know of to go with metal, and you're not living in an apartment building or a row house.

[sharder8]

I'd have to agree with J-Excel.

I do prefer metal for saftey reasons, but I did get a broken hand from a solid core wood door.

If it is metal or fiberglass, make sure it has good insulation in the core. If wood, make sure it is a solid core.

BTW, Marvin Window's also makes exterior doors.

Harder

[Epidemic]

I do not think you can get the insulating properties of wood to equal that of an insulated non wood door. Other than that looks. If you have no windows next to the door you may even consider the security thing. If you have decorative glass next to the door you might as well leave it unlocked.

Wood is better for screwing eyelets into for your shotgun boobie traps.

[alondra]

Any good exterior door 36" will be SOLID WOOD, oh, and 3 hinges. hollow core doors only for interior. should have a peep hole. and a good lock including a deadbolt. the jamb plate should have LONG screws to go thu the casing in to the 2x4 framing. this is important, it is easy for short screws to rip out of the 3/4" casing. IMHO

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

Yep, When I put the door in at my Moms I used 3 inch screws, someone tried breaking in with a crobar and all they did was dent the door(metal) the screws held (since they went through 3" of solid wood, and the bolt was also chizeled into the 2x4 frame.

Wood doors will not have the insulating value of other types (you can get it custom made to, but it would be so light and weak since air is the insulation used still to this day) AFAIK it's the air in the fiberglass and foam insulation that provides the insulating effect.

Steel doors are much better IMO, better insualtion and shear strength.

[SPEEDO]

I think the looks and strength of a good wood door is great. But as far as the strength of a door goes for security is a moot point if you have any windows...................

[Wizzard~Of~Ozz]

That's how they got in, Then unlocked the side door that they couldn't break to get in, now it's a double sided key lock.

[SPEEDO]

A friend of mine who is on the PD always says locks are for honest people, If someone wants in they'll get in.

I still prefer wood to any other kind of door just for the beauty of it.

Where's Knot?