Doors of Steel

A steel entry door combines strength and stability with relatively low cost. A steel door has a well-deserved reputation for security and weather resistance, but fiberglass and solid wood doors are solid performers too.

Steel doors aren't made of solid metal - they have a polyurethane core with a 16- to 24-gauge steel skin. That core material is an excellent insulator, and steel doors rate high as thermal barriers.

Steel doors come either primed or with factory-applied paint. Some feature a vinyl coating that simulates the look of wood grain.

The Achilles heel of the steel door is that it is prone to dents and dings that may be difficult or impossible to repair and scratches in the surface may rust. In a heavy-use area, such as your front entry, the risks of accidental damage increase.