Doors are more than entry and exit points in a home. Usually, before homeowners can settle on the door to use for their entryways, they have to consider several factors. This applies to those building a new home, remodeling, and those who want to make door replacements.
The door material is one of the factors to be put in mind. With the suitable door material, homeowners can tick all the boxes of design and functionality, as evidenced below.
For Durability
Durability and longevity are probably the leading reasons why homeowners analyze their doors’ materials. Homeowners must consider if the material is susceptible to wear and tear, such as termite destruction or natural elements.
Those who live in areas that experience harsh winters or extreme heat must choose doors with materials that can accommodate the harshness accordingly. For example, homeowners in hot and humid climates can opt for fiberglass doors, while those who live in areas that may make their doors susceptible to rusting can choose to use glass or galvanized steel doors.
Fiberglass is an excellent material that is not prone to warping like wood.
Cost Factors
Homeowners must check their budget and get affordable door materials.
The material used for a door affects its price. If the material is highly abundant, the price will be relatively lower than for rare material. Even wood doors are priced differently based on the rarity and whether they are hardwoods or softwoods.
Steel makes durable and cheaper doors compared to other materials.
For Aesthetic Purposes
The material used on a door affects the final product in terms of the cutting, finishing, and style used. For example, many people prefer to use wood because it is easy to work with and can be finished in different ways, such as oiling.
The ease of a door material for customization is usually another concern for many homeowners. There are door materials that present a variety of customization options, while others are limited. Those who want more versatility can choose materials that can be spruced up or mix two kinds of material.
The material used on a door can effortlessly complement any interior’s style, or it may seem totally out of place. For example, assuming a homeowner’s interior style is Scandinavian or country-style, they can choose to use oak doors. On the other hand, those looking for a modern style may opt for glass doors which also give an excellent scenic view.
Energy Efficiency
Another concern affected by a door’s material is the ability to allow for natural lighting. For instance, glass doors are best for allowing maximum natural light. This can help owners reduce energy costs.
Steel doors can also help homeowners with energy efficiency because they are excellent in preventing outside air entrance and trapping air inside.
It Affects Where a Door can be Used
The material used on a door will determine whether a homeowner can use it indoors or outdoors. For example, a door made from walnut wood is best for indoor use. Even though walnut is durable, it can quickly fade from intense sunlight exposure.
Some glass doors can be used outdoors, for example, on patios, but others fit internal use better.
For Protection and Privacy
Security is always a concern, especially for outdoor doors. Additional to things like weather elements, homeowners must choose door materials that can excellently offer them protection from intruders and enhance security. For example, some door materials like glass may be easy to break under extreme pressure compared to those made from steel.
Glass doors can be avoided where privacy is a concern as they do not offer much privacy. Regarding security, homeowners who want glass doors can go for those that are sledgehammer proof or bulletproof.
Maintenance Requirements
Door materials determine whether they will be easy to maintain or not. Homeowners should choose a door material depending on how much effort they are ready to put in for maintenance. For example, those who use glass doors may have to polish them for a clean look constantly. On the other hand, some doors like fiberglass may only need repainting once in a while, and iron doors may require meticulous care since they are not rust-resistant. Some wood doors may need to be varnished or regularly painted to maintain their appearance.
The more the maintenance needed, the more costs a homeowner incurs in the long run.
Conclusion
Door materials come in different varieties, and choosing the most suitable one takes effort. Nonetheless, choosing the right door material can go a long way in serving homeowners as they would like.
Those looking to get doors for their homes must know that material matters, and that is why they must only settle after analyzing how the material will affect the metrics highlighted above. This should be done based on the pros and cons the material presents.
Leave a Reply