Exterior doors, especially your front entry door, speak of your class, preference, and style. When picking a front door, you must make a pick that best suits your taste and the design of your home.

Steel, fiberglass, and wood is the most common material for making exterior doors. Fiberglass exterior doors are weather-resistant and rot-resistant, providing excellent insulation and energy efficiency.

Although fiberglass is not as strong as steel, it is not as compromisable as wood, making it the market’s best choice. In this article, I will discuss what makes fiberglass a good material for exterior doors and the cost of getting a fiberglass door.

Is Fiberglass a Good Material for a Front Door?

Fiberglass ticks all the boxes of a good front door material. One of the reasons your door might easily kick in is that it is worn out due to rust and moisture attacks. Fiberglass does not rot or rust, making it very durable and secure.

Your fiberglass could be 20 years old and still as strong as the first day you got it. A quality fiberglass door is also shatterproof.

Fiberglass has superior insulation to other front door materials making it very energy efficient. It is also easily customizable in that you can stain or paint it to mimic the wood’s timeless feel. You can include glass panels and side transoms for a contemporary look. 

Fiberglass is exceptionally durable, even with low maintenance. All it needs is greasing its metal parts, tightening loose screws, and yearly cleaning with a damp cloth. Fiberglass is also very stable in different climates.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Fiberglass Exterior Door

A fiberglass door is made of molded and compressed fiberglass. Fiberglass is a plastic material having strands of glass in it. This combination of plastic and glass produces a more robust and reinforced plastic which is more potent than metal by weight level.

The combination of plastic and glass changes the chemical structure of the refined plastic and makes it flexible. It can be structured into sheets or woven into fabrics. Fiberglass doors are also very stylish as they are made to resemble oak and mahogany wooden doors with intricate designs closely. 

Fiberglass doors are cheaper to produce than most carbon fiber products. Fiberglass doors are becoming more in use worldwide. The style and technique used in making these doors give them a modern look that homeowners of this century love. 

Advantages Of Fiberglass Doors

1. Versatility: Fiberglass doors are versatile because they come in various colors, styles, and intricate designs. Solid wood designs can be derived from fiberglass doors with less maintenance cost. It also allows finishing and painting to be customized according to the user’s preference and style.  

2. Smooth Maintenance:  A damp cloth is all you need to clean a fiberglass door when it collects dust particles, dirt, and cobwebs. Regular cleaning with a damp cloth helps to protect the door from bacterial attacks. Regular cleaning will, in turn, effectively prolong the door’s life, saving the replacement cost.

3. Durability: Fiberglass doors are more resistant to scratches, dents, and rust. Due to fiberglass door finishing, fiberglass doors last longer than most types of exterior doors, as your door will incur no damage during changing climatic conditions. 

4. Security: Fiberglass doors have a solid construction to make your home safer. It is fitted with steel plates during construction to prevent forced entry. The deadbolt system in a fiberglass door is augmented, improving its quality.

Disadvantage Of Fiberglass Doors

1. High Cost: Fiberglass doors are twice as expensive as steel doors and most wooden doors,  although it is less expensive than oak and mahogany wooden doors. However, with its high purchase cost comes a low maintenance cost, creating a balance.

2. Sizing: Fiberglass doors usually have a standard size due to their high cost, which poses problems when your door size is not the exact fit. Unlike wooden doors, you can trim or resize fiberglass doors to avoid causing damage.

3. Does Not Allow DIY: Unlike most wooden and steel doors, you cannot install your fiberglass exterior door on your own. Due to the way it is made, it requires professionals to install it.                                                   

How Much Does a Fiberglass Door Cost

Fiberglass possesses weather resistance and resistance to invasion. Fiberglass is the most durable and energy-efficient front door. A standard fiberglass exterior door will cost $400- $1500. High-quality fiberglass exterior doors cost $2000 – $4000.

Several factors determine the cost of a fiberglass exterior door. Let us have a quick look at some of them.

1. Size: The width, height, and the number of panels determine the price of a fiberglass door. The larger the door, the more pricey it is. Remember, fiberglass is not the most affordable door material. Also, fiberglass is not resizeable, so you want to ensure you get your door opening size right. 

2. Number Of Doors: Do you want a single or double door? This will directly affect the cost of your fiberglass. Typically, single doors are less expensive than double doors. Expect to spend more if you have a wide door opening that requires a double door.

3. Customization/Extra Features: If you want features like sidelights, transoms, glass windows, or pet doors, you will have to pay more.

4. Finishing: Getting a bland, simple fiberglass door is less expensive than getting one pre-painted or stained. If you want a custom look, you can buy a nondescript fiberglass door and paint it to suit your style. 

5.  Material Of The Frame: fiberglass doors usually come in wood, metal, or composite frames. The material used for the frame will affect the price of your fiberglass door. Wood-framed fiberglass doors will be more expensive than those of metal frames.

6. Hardware: most fiberglass door comes prehung on a frame, so you do not have to worry about getting hinges separately. However, budget a few dollars to cover the cost of hardware like locks, handles, weatherstripping, and door guards. 

How Long Will a Fiberglass Exterior Door Last?

Fiberglass exterior doors last 50 years, depending on the maintenance, as they do not rust like steel or rot like wood. Although lightweight compared to steel and wooden doors, it has a durable coating that protects it from fast damage.

They also have excellent insulation, which is necessary for specific climatic conditions. The insulating feature of fiberglass doors makes for resilience and durability. It does not shrink, crack or warp in the most intense heat or cold natural environments.

The fiberglass exterior door is made from fiber-reinforced polymer. It has excellent resistance to extreme weather conditions. To make your fiberglass exterior door last longer, you must maintain it and fix faults once you notice them. Here are a few tips on how to keep your fiberglass exterior door.

• Clean your fiberglass door regularly to remove dirt, grits, or stains. You should do cleaning at least three times yearly. Use only mild cleaning substances. Chemical cleaners will harm your fiberglass door.

• Pay attention to your door hardware. Lubricate metal parts like hinges regularly to avoid squeaks. Tighten loose bolts and knots. You should immediately repair or replace the damaged hardware if you notice faults. 

•  Another fantastic way to maintain your fiberglass door is to paint or stain it. You can paint your fiberglass door to have the classic, timeless feel of wood. You can also paint it such that it matches your home decor. Therefore painting is customizing and maintenance feature.

• Putting a storm door in front of your main entry door is an excellent way to increase the longevity of your fiberglass exterior door. It would be best if you mounted a storm door in front of all your exterior doors as maximum protection against weather elements.

• Install door guards on your fiberglass door’s head, threshold, and sides. The door guards make for a more energy-efficient fiberglass door and prevent weather drafting. It would help if you replaced the door guards once they are worn out.

Are Fiberglass Exterior Doors Strong?  

Fiberglass is not the most robust front door material, as it is lightweight and can be compromised.  However, it is still a good option for your exterior door. Fiberglass is reinforced plastic making it more shatterproof than regular glass doors with the look and feel of wood.

It is typically laced with glass fibers making it thicker and heavier than other front door materials. It will be more difficult for anyone to kick your fiberglass door in. However, for optimum security, go for good-quality fiberglass doors rather the low-priced ones.

Regarding strength in terms of durability, fiberglass exterior doors are undefeated. It is resistant to rot and rust. You can not easily shatter or dent it, and it is tolerant to extreme weather conditions.

If you are looking for a front door that stands the test of time with minimal maintenance, then fiberglass is the best fit.