Choosing the Right Exterior Door
There are many styles and types of exterior doors on the market today and it is easy to be overwhelmed. You are about to make an investment in your home. Let us help you make the choice that best fits you.
Door Materials
Wood Doors
Wood exterior doors have always been a popular choice, and it is easy to see why. They are a beautiful, natural, and customizable addition to any home that is guaranteed to increase curb appeal.
While wood is beautiful and versatile, it typically is the most expensive exterior door and it does come with some disadvantages. Over time wood absorbs moisture from the air and if it is not properly finished or regularly maintained this moisture can cause the wood door to swell or shrink, potentially making it unusable. Some manufacturers provide a warranty for real wood doors if you wish to have more protection, but they tend to only come in specific designs or stock sizes and with limited customization. Don’t let that deter you though! There are limitless ways to customize a wood door to fit your desires through different manufacturers.
If taking care of a wood door does not intimidate you, then there is not a door in the world that will look more beautiful than a real wood door specifically made for your home.
Steel Doors
Unlike wood, steel doors will not swell or shrink, and are much better at insulating your home. A steel door without glass can provide up to 5 times the energy efficiency of a wood door.1 While steel doors are efficient for the home, they are only available in a limited number of styles, are paint grade only, and are prone to denting and rusting.
If you are seeking efficiency over personal customization then a steel door may be your best choice.
Fiberglass Doors
Like steel doors, fiberglass doors provide excellent energy efficiency. Where fiberglass excels is in its durability. Fiberglass doors are strong, dent resistant, and will not shrink, split, or rot. They are available in a wide variety of styles and options and are offered in a simulated wood grain for staining, or a smooth for painting. While not as customizable as a wood door, fiberglass doors over more customization and options than steel doors.
Once you have chosen the material for your new door, adding glass is a great option to enhance the feel and function of your new door.
Glass Options
Obscure Glass
Obscure glass has a large range of transparency options. You can choose from a fully opaque glass door for more privacy to a partially transparent glass door. The obscure glass range usually depends on the Brand of door that you are choosing. Some Brands have 20+ options of different levels and styles of obscurity while others have fewer options. This is a great choice for you if you wish to choose the level of privacy in the glass door.
Decorative Glass
Decorative glass doors have images and shapes that are made in similar styles as you may see in stained glass windows. Choosing to have a decorative glass door allows you to design your door so that it ties into the rest of the house, or matches the hardware finish on the hinges and handle. Decorative glass can also come in different privacy ratings. With the multiple style and colored pieces of glass that the entire glass unit is composed of, visibility has the option to be different in one section than another.
Grids
Let’s now address different grid designs. Grids can change the look of the door to become ultra modern or give the house a Period look that completes the style of your home. Many doors and windows have grids either on the glass or in between the pains of glass.
Grids are an option with both Clear glass and obscure glass to give your home the privacy and light options that you are looking for.
True Divided Lite
True Divided Lite, also known as TDLs, is a very classic look that sets itself apart from other grid styles. Instead of a sheet of glass with grids in between the glass, or just sitting on top of the glass, you have individual panes of glass set in the door and held in place by the grids themselves. This grid option is limited though to the real wood door options and is the most expensive option available.
Simulated Divided Lite
Simulated Divided Lite, also known as SDLs, give a similar look as the True Divided Lite but with a different structure. While TDLs are multiple panes of glass laid between the grid, SDLs are one large pane of glass with a grid overlaying it. SDLs are either manufactured on the glass for a set standard lite divide, or can be custom applied to the glass to give you your unique look. These grids come in both stainable wood grain options or smooth paint grade options. SDLs also come in different profiles and sizes allowing your door to better reflect the personality of the home and owners. SDLs are the most popular option for grids in a door. People change the color of their doors for many reasons and being able to continuously change the paint or stain on the grids is ideal for having a door that you will be happy with season after season.
Grills Between Glass
Grills between Glass, also known as GBGs, are grids that come preinstalled in between the 2 layers of glass. The benefit to having GBGs is that it is lower in price compared to the previous options, and cleaning is much simpler when cleaning one sheet of glass instead of multiple smaller panes. The only downside is that you have limited options to color and shape of the grids and whatever option you choose will be permanent.
No matter the door you are looking for, Stillwater Building Center is here to help. Contact our staff today to get started on the perfect door for your home.