Precious Metals

On the opposite side of the price spectrum from steel, wood doors clad in aluminum, copper and bronze fill the need of homeowners who want durability and a distinct architectural accent. Aluminum-clad doors feature tough, factory-applied finishes that have warranties of 10 years of more and are exceptionally weather-resistant. Sophisticated extruding techniques ensure that joints and details are crisp.

Copper- and bronze-clad doors feature finishes that are changing subtly, but constantly, due to oxidation and their variegated appearances hide scratches and other imperfections gathered over time. Teresa Grabill, CFO of custom window and door manufacturer Grabill in Almont, Mich., estimates that a bronze-clad door costs approximately 40 percent more than a comparable all-wood door.