Wood remains the classic choice for entry doors offering the high-end look consumers desire along with excellent resistance to dents while scratches are easily repaired. The most common woods used to make doors are walnut, cherry, oak, mahogany, maple, pine, and fir.

When it comes to solid wood doors, the devil is in the details; a thicker door with more intricate carvings and moldings is generally a better door. However, a wood door does need periodic varnishing or painting to keep it looking its best.

A solid wood door should be inspected closely once per year for signs of damage or extensive wear and tear. Wood doors can become very costly as you add on options.

Probably the biggest advantage is the durability. Steel doors have a strong outer shell and can withstand wear and tear better than most wood, or vinyl doors. Another advantage is that they are fire-rated and can be heat resistant, along with the correct hardware that meets your town’s fire rating code. This provides an extra layer of safety to your home or business. Durability through any kind of weather is another advantage to installing a steel door. 

On the flip side, steel doors are hard to fix once they are dented. Although able to withstand normal wear and tear, dents can easily downgrade the look and curb appeal. This is also true with scratches and gouges in the outer skin. 

The sheer heaviness of steel doors is also a disadvantage and it can be difficult to make cut-outs, as compared to wood and vinyl doors.

One area where fiberglass doors excel over their wood or steel counterparts is durability. Exterior doors are an investment, and fiberglass doors typically hold up better over time than other types of doors—and taking good care of a fiberglass door can make it last a lifetime.

Fiberglass doors shine in this regard. Due to their strong door cores and minimal heat exchange, fiberglass doors can reduce energy bills and keep the home at a comfortable temperature in any season. Specifically, look for an ENERGY STAR-certified fiberglass door for top performance and major, long-term savings on energy.

While many homeowners opt for the look of wood doors, some fiberglass doors feature wood grain shells that give them the appearance of a wood door, but with all the benefits of fiberglass. From classic Oak to rich Mahogany, fiberglass doors can match the desired look without sacrificing performance.

Though a solid door can provide you and your family with a sense of privacy, it also prevents you from enjoying the views that surround your home. The views from your home, no matter where you live, can enable you to enjoy the aesthetics of every part of your property regardless of season or whether you can head outside to comfortably enjoy the outdoor spaces or not.

Three-quarter or full glass doors are generally found connecting indoor and outdoor spaces, not so much as a front door option.

But there are plenty of options for front doors with partial glass. From small decorative windows to large panes of stained glass there’s something to fit every homeowner’s personal style.