Steel Doors

Benefits

Steel doors offer many benefits.

No 1 is durability.

Steel doors, particularly the doors made of 20-gauge steel are the strongest and most durable doors available on the market today. In addition, they will not crack or warp. Steel doors are very low maintenance, although if you scratch it through the galvanized surface, the steel can rust if the scratch is not primed or painted.

Even though, the word steel brings to mind “cold” connotations, premium steel doors with thermal composite breaks at the edges, and polyurethane core, still perform better than wooden doors in terms of energy efficiency. Also, steel doors, are perceived as the best solution for the property owners who are concerned with security.

Steel entry doors are very affordable and typically cost less than their wooden counter parts.

Steel doors are offered in smooth or texture door facings (skins). Your choice is really the matter a personal preference.

However, it is worth keeping these guidelines in mind:

1. Smooth doors are typically designed to be painted.
2. Textured doors are designed to be stained, although painting a steel textured door is possible.
3. Textured steel doors are manufactured and catered to different markets. Therefore the overall quality, strength and appearance will vary greatly. Typically, the more expensive the door, the thicker, more solid the steel skin is, and the more authentic wood resembling look on the door.
4. Smooth fiberglass has limited surface look option, namely, it will be smooth. Textured doors typically feature Oak texture.
5. If you are indifferent about the wood look, then you may want to save some money by choosing smooth steel. On the other hand if you’d like to buy a door that is almost (almost – because nothing in life 100% maintenance free) maintenance free and has that authentic wooden look, then invest in the best textured and factory stained fiberglass doors your money can buy.
6. If you strive for that realistic wood look, we recommend that your door is professionally stained, although textured doors can also be painted and look great as well. If you prefer the flat surface design, then your only choice is paint finish.
7. If you’re planning to stain or paint the door yourself, chances are it’s the first door you’ve ever finished and the reality is that it will take you longer and probably final result will not be as satisfying as door professionally finished at the factory settings by the craftsmen who have years of experience and unsurpassed attention to details. After all, would you try to paint your new car yourself?
8. Steel entry doors are generally available in different steel thicknesses (gauges) from 20 to 26. Keep in mind that the lower the number the thicker the steel is and stronger the door will be. For example, the Legacy 20-gauge steel door from ProVia will give you 49% more galvannealed steel than a standard 24 gauge door that you can buy at the big box store. Also, it’s worth noting that the process of galvanization may vary from manufacturer to manufacturer. If you have a choice, choose a steel door that was A40 hot-dipped galvannealed over 40Z electrolityc zinc coated steel, as hot-dipped galvanization offers 300% more coating thickness and better protection from rust and corrosion.

Heavy-duty 20-gauge doors offer better resistance to dings and dents than lighter skinned doors, as well.