ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
PART I ANATOMY OF A FIBERGLASS DOOR When fiberglass doors first entered the market a couple of decades ago, their main advantage over other types of doors was price. Fiberglass doors used to be cheaper, but they lacked visual appeal. They rated poorly in terms of insulation and didn’t seem to have many of the features homeowners were seeking in a door, which is why it wasn’t a very popular choice.
ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
ANATOMY OF A FIBERGLASS DOOR
All that has changed. Fiberglass doors have undergone significant changes over the years, evolving into possibly the most energy-efficient, environment-friendly and aesthetically pleasing material currently available on the market. Modern doors made of fiberglass typically have the appearance of natural wood, such as mahogany and pine. In fact, other materials have few, if any, advantages over fiberglass. To understand how modern fiberglass doors are able to outmatch other materials in almost every aspect, let’s examine their anatomy. Fiberglass doors are made of four main sections:
STILES
CORE SKIN RAILS
The stiles run from top to bottom on either side of the door. The rails make up the bottom and top support. Both stiles and rails are made out of composite material or wood, depending on the manufacturer. ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
ANATOMY OF A FIBERGLASS DOOR
The skin is made from high-quality fiberglass. The mold is designed to give the door the appearance of wood or other materials. For example, if a manufacturer wants to produce a door to mimic the look of mahogany, the mold will be designed with mahogany grain. The skin design is what makes the door look more appealing, but the heart of the door is its core. The core usually contains tough insulating materials to make the door durable and capable of preventing heat from passing through. This allows homeowners to save a significant amount of energy; costs are reduced because less energy is needed to cool the home during the hot summer months and warm it in the winter. Fiberglass doors are known not to warp, crack, rot, or split. They can withstand extreme temperatures and weather conditions. They are rust and corrosion free, so even if your home is right next to the ocean, your fiberglass doors are still bound to last you a lifetime.
There’s no doubt that modern fiberglass doors are perfect for every home in terms of durability, aesthetic value, and energy efficiency. However, is a fiberglass door right for you? In the next part of this e-book, we discuss the different factors homeowners should consider before making the decision to purchase a fiberglass door. ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
PART 2 IS A FIBERGLASS DOOR RIGHT FOR YOU? In Part I, we discussed the different parts of fiberglass doors and observed that, over the years, they’ve improved in terms of durability, energy efficiency, and aesthetic value. With so many advantages, it makes perfect sense to seriously consider purchasing a fiberglass door or two for your home. However, the buying process isn’t just limited to the advantages of a certain door material. Buyers should consider other factors as well, such as price, lifespan, and what or how much a particular type of door can add to the overall value of your home.
ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
IS A FIBERGLASS DOOR RIGHT FOR YOU?
In short, is a fiberglass door right for you? In this post, we take you through a few different aspects to consider when picking out doors. This should help you determine whether or not a fiberglass door is, indeed, what you’re looking for.
LIFESPAN
A door may be beautiful and durable, but if it will be necessary to have it replaced every decade or so, it simply wouldn’t be such a great investment. Modern fiberglass doors are made to last for over 100 years with minimal maintenance. They can withstand extreme environments, and as long as they aren’t hit directly with a good amount of force, they’ll outlast many other door materials.
COST
Fiberglass doors can cost anywhere between $200 for a basic door to $5,000 for a door with glass windows and a wood grain. Even so, highend fiberglass doors won’t ever cost you as much as high-end wood doors. In fact, even the most expensive fiberglass door would cost only half as much as a high-end wood door, translating into incredible savings for the price-conscious homeowner. ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
IS A FIBERGLASS DOOR RIGHT FOR YOU?
VALUE
People who are in the market to purchase a home consider a lot of different things when placing a dollar value on a property they may be interested in. While fiberglass doors may not add as much value to a home as wooden doors typically would, they certainly won’t decrease the overall value of a home either, especially if high-end fiberglass doors have been installed.
So, ask yourself again: Are fiberglass doors right for you? From price to durability of materials, fiberglass doors excel in practically every aspect. However, smart buyers never focus on a single product. They always need to look at their options and make comparisons among the different choices available to them. We know you want to be a smart buyer, so, in the final part of this e-book, we help you compare fiberglass doors with doors made of other materials. ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
PART 3 THE COMPETITION In Part II, we went through some of the typical factors that buyers consider when deciding if a particular door is a good investment. However, smart buyers know that they need to perform a comparison to make sure that they’re making not just a good, but the best, investment. In the final part of this 3-part series, we help you make that comparison. We compare some of the basic factors of fiberglass doors against those of the most common materials used in the industry today.
ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
THE COMPETITION
FIBERGLASS
Fiberglass doors require minimal maintenance. They do not rust, warp, rot, or deteriorate. They are energy efficient and have insulation properties that are far superior to that of wood. Fiberglass doors are durable, resist denting and scratching, and will last for over 100 years. If you get tired of the color, you can paint or stain over the existing color. In terms of security, only steel doors would have a slight advantage over fiberglass.
WOOD
Nothing beats wood doors in terms of design and beauty. They add more value to a home because of their high-end appearance. Scratches and other minor damages can be easily repaired. In terms of cost, wood doors fetch the highest prices. However, compared with fiberglass, they’ve been found wanting when it comes to energy efficiency; they also have a tendency to bow, twist, or warp under certain weather conditions and in some environments.
ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
THE COMPETITION
STEEL
When it comes to security, steel is the perfect choice. Steel doors are also energy efficient, require less maintenance, will not warp or crack, and are relatively inexpensive. However, dents on steel doors are difficult to repair. Steel is also prone to rust, and easily conducts heat and cold. It’s common for the paint finish of a steel door to chip or fade over time. After considering all the aspects of fiberglass doors and making a comparison with other common door materials, you’ll be ready to decide if fiberglass does, indeed, meet your specific requirements. The final step is to find the right door design for your home. Fortunately, there are literally hundreds of fiberglass door designs, so you’re certain to find one or more that’ll suit your taste as well as your home’s feel and look. ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS
115 Shadowlawn Dr., Fishers, IN 46038
(800) 233-0169 www.beewindow.com
ALL ABOUT FIBERGLASS DOORS