Replies

1. 
   Rein_ | Apr 15, 2002 01:11am | #1

   Wood

   Pros - Looks great and has lots of design options

   Cons - Not insulated. Requires maintenance. Let me rephrase that, depending on location, requires lots of maintenance.

   Steel and Fibreglass

   Pros - Can be had in insulated models. Typically stronger. Cheaper. Won't warp or crack. Easier to maintain

   Cons - Steel can dent, fibreglass can be gauged (both can be fixed with auto body filler). Quality is entirely up to the manufacturer. Well I guess that's true of wood too, but there is a much bigger range in quality with steel and fibreglass.

   I would say, if you are painting it anyway, look for steel or fibreglass.

   You may want to consider buying a pre-hung unit and tearing out the old door jamb. It may sound like more work, but you would get the extra benefit of a factory built weather seal between the jamb and door. Older door jambs may have sagged, cupped or simply be out of alignment.

1. 
   jazzdogg | Apr 15, 2002 07:25am | #3

   Thanks for your feedback. I hadn't thought of tearing out the old jamb, but the benefits you cite make sense. In terms of security, I infer from posted responses that the quality of the lock & deadbolt are probably as much (or more) of an issue as the door itself. If true, are there any other considerations worth noting when selecting a pre-hung door? Also, is there any reason to be apprehensive about installing a fiberglass or steel door for someone whose skills and experience are wood-centric?

   Thanks a million!

1. 
   FrankB89 | Apr 15, 2002 07:51am | #4

   I agree with the others that the prehung unit is the ticket.  Being in the Pacific Northwest and a wood guy to my soul,  I've had to give in to alternative materials in recent years, because your not always assured of consistent quality with wood anymore.  Many of the wood doors out there have a vertical grain veneer laminated over a door stock of wood that, were it not veneered would be barely of paint quality.  This concerns me for the long term maintenance of the door because the veneer is just a few dog toenail scratches from oblivion.

   There is no real difference in hanging steel or fiberglass from wood.  However, trimming the bottom of a steel door takes some special care.

   Fiberglass can be a little trickier to paint if you're using oil.  I take them to my paint supplier and he does them as a little side work in the back of his shop.

2. 
   Piffin | Apr 15, 2002 01:37am | #2

   The easier way to answer your question is for you to state your requirements and let us recomend. Otherwise, we have to write an entire treatise on all types of doors available. I like cald wood with three point locking lever system, prehung. Your concern about breakin security is misplaced. With a tempered glass insulated lite, it is as hard to break through as a solid door. Most often it will be the jamb that is the weak point. The bolt will break it out.

   Fibreglas is the in thing right now but it will fail too, I've had to replace a few.

   Excellence is its own reward!