Fiberglass

If there's a buzzword in the world of entry doors, it's fiberglass. Price-wise, fiberglass sits in the middle between steel and wood doors, but outperforms both in terms of toughness and low-maintenance.

Similar to steel doors, fiberglass-clad doors feature an inner foam core that contributes light weight and high energy efficiency. The core is covered with a layer of fiberglass that's impervious to moisture, rot and insects.

These days, door manufacturers are getting very good at having embossed fiberglass mimic the look and feel of real oak, mahogany, fir and other woods. Finished in one of a variety of stain colors, fiberglass doors are tough to tell from the real deal. Crisp detailing on good-quality models completes the deception.

Fiberglass doors are stable and won't warp in weather extremes and are good candidates for paint. Because fiberglass doesn't contract and expand with changes in humidity as much as real wood, paint and stains last a long time, and fiberglass doors rarely need a touch-up.

Fiberglass doors are readily available at home improvement centers where price ranges from $200 to $2,500. Complete fiberglass door systems with a pair of art glass sidelights reach $3,500.

According to Remodeling Magazine, a fiberglass entry door replacement project doesn't have as big of a return as that of a steel door, recouping only about 65 percent of your investment.