Exterior doors aren’t just functional; they add charm and a specific aesthetic to your home. The front door is often the first part of your home that visitors see. Your entrance door must have at least three qualities: durability, reliability, and a beautiful appearance. By choosing your exterior door designs wisely, you’ll make an impression you can be proud of.
What are the differences between interior and exterior doors?
The doors of a house can be classified, basically, into two types: interior and exterior.
Generally speaking, interior doors are narrower than the exterior doors of a house. Interior doors are not exposed to humidity, sun, rain, or other weather elements. Interior doors can be made of any material, but in most cases, wood with or without glass is the best choice for interior doors.
Exterior doors tend to be wider than interior doors and require more care and maintenance. Exterior doors are constantly exposed to the elements, including: exposure to the sun, rain, snow, and humidity. Exterior doors are made of more weather-resistant materials, such as fiberglass, aluminium, steel, glass, and iron.
EXTERNAL DOOR TYPES
There are several types of doors you need to know about when you’re designing your home. Each has its own significance in your home. When it comes to door types according to material, it is possible to find a huge variety of materials, such as wood, metal, aluminium, and iron, among others. To help you make the best choice, we are explaining in detail the primary types of doors you may need.
Wooden Doors
Wooden doors used to be installed in apartments. Today, they are mainly installed in private houses. Wooden doors are a classic, primarily because of their versatility; wooden doors are typically available in numerous styles, ready to serve a variety of purposes.
By design, wooden entrance doors are divided into three main types: solid wood, panel, and panel doors.
Solid wood doors are the most durable of all because they are made of one piece of wood. However, the craft of glued solid wood is more often used: individual wooden parts are glued together using special fasteners that give the doors even greater strength. When choosing, choose solid wood doors if possible, as they offer good durability and resistance to outside environment factors.
The most expensive wooden doors are made of oak, and their strength is close to that of metal doors. But even these options cannot be compared in terms of burglary resistance to metal doors. Doors made of beech, cherry, walnut, and ash are also common. The least expensive wooden doors are made of pine. But, despite their relative cheapness, their strength is sufficient for them to suit many homeowners. Today most people of average income prefer to have entrance doors made of pine in their homes.
Metal Doors
Metal is used in door structure solely to provide maximum strength. The aesthetic qualities of metal doors are not often taken into account, since their aesthetic qualities are rather low. Metal doors are usually additionally sheathed with wood or plastic.
From the inside, metal doors have voids that are filled with insulation and soundproofing material. Mineral wool and various types of foam are most often used for these purposes. A steel door usually comes with at least two mortise locks, but some homeowners use even more. The weakest point of a metal door is door hinges; therefore, the best option will be a hinge made on support bearings. Such hinges can be adjusted in accordance with a variety of door operating conditions.
The main quality of a metal door is maximum burglary resistance, with durability also a consideration.
Glass Doors
The glass doors are perfect for entrances to offices and commercial buildings. For those who are daring, a glass door can also be used as a home entry door. Most who opt for glass entryway doors in the residential environment opt for matte glass models so as not to leave the interior of the residence on display for anyone who passes by. However, glass entrance doors are not the most popular as they are not the best option for security.
Aluminium Doors
Aluminium doors are a great option for the entrances of a house as they can have elegant visual characteristics. They harmonize very well with both bright and matte colors as well as glass. Aluminium doors are also high durability and, therefore, do not rust.
DOOR TYPES BASED ON USE/LOCATION
Entry Doors
Your entry (or front) door’s aesthetic is important, but it also has a job to do when it comes to energy efficiency. You’ll want to choose a door or set of doors that can prevent cooled air or heat leaks from escaping between the gaps. When you’re shopping for doors, though, you’re likely to see a few material choices, including wood, fiberglass, and metal.
Wooden doors are what you likely think of most often when thinking of a front door. Wood is a popular option as you can choose different species, grains, and even stains to customize. You’ll want to keep up with the staining or painting regularly because entry doors are exposed to the elements and are subject to peeling, chipping, fading, and even rotting. Wooden doors are also more expensive than most other door options and a bit more challenging to maintain. They are sturdy, but repairs and installation can be pricey.
If you want something that looks like wood but can withstand the elements better, you should consider fiberglass. Fiberglass entry doors aren’t susceptible to the same weather-related issues as wood. They can be finished the same way as wood, so you can choose from various stains or paints to achieve the same style you might opt for with a wooden door. The best part about fiberglass is that it doesn’t allow air or heat to get through, so they can help you save money on energy bills.
Metals like steel do an even better job of resisting the elements and keeping your cooling and heat from escaping. They are impervious to dents, dings, and unwanted pests, and with a metal front door, you can feel safe and secure in your home. Metal entry doors can be customized to look like wood, so you can have all the aesthetic benefits of a wood or fiberglass door without the hassle of maintenance.
Patio Doors
Your typical patio door is a sliding door—essentially two large windows, one of which slides on a track, allowing it to open and close. You can go with a more elaborate, decorative style, or a more secure option made of glass and wood or fiberglass. The most common patio door option, however, is made primarily of glass. These doors can be reinforced with metal, thicker glass, or other supports to ensure they do not break.
Vinyl, which is more durable and will better keep in heating and air conditioning, is another option. And vinyl isn’t prone to cracking or other damage from the elements, as wood is.
Storm Doors
You may not think a storm door is a necessity, but depending on where your home is located, they can be incredibly helpful. Storm doors consist of three layers, and some of those layers can be removed when the weather is amenable. Storm doors protect against the elements and ensure that air and light can enter while keeping out insects, snow, rain, dust, and debris.
Storm doors can also be customized with different types of glass, metal, fiberglass, and wood grains to suit the aesthetics of your home without detracting away from it. They should be made of sturdy materials and not compromise on style.
French Doors
French doors add a touch of romance and elegance to any home, either as entry doors or patio doors. They are a charming addition to any home and feature stylish glass and your choice of wood color and finish. If you’re looking for a simple but elegant accent to your home that is functional and fashionable, French doors can be a wonderful addition to your architecture.
French doors are also available in steel and fiberglass; they can easily be customized to match or complement your home while providing weather-resistance. Because durability is as important as appearance, you don’t want to invest in flimsy French doors that will require maintenance in the coming years.
Bifold Doors
Bifold doors can add a certain charm to your home by opening up additional space for backyard entertaining. Typically made of glass, bi-folds are movable and fold upon opening. They usually come in sets of four panels, which leaves the space they occupied open and accessible and convenient for coming and going from the backyard into the house.
Bifold doors are a modern and charming accent that can be customized with colors, stains, and different materials to best suit your home’s look and style.
Leaf Doors
Leaf doors are among the most traditional door styles on the market. Leaf doors usually have traditional measures and fit almost anywhere. In addition to being easy to install, they are much more affordable compared to other models.
Two-leaf doors are ideal for those looking for something elegant for an entrance hall. (They look somewhat like French doors.) Double-leaf doors offer a wider passage and are, therefore, recommended for larger houses.
Pivoting doors are a modern and elegant door design. Pivoting doors are stand-outs in architectural projects. They are widely used in high-end homes, usually as gateways.
Because they are large and heavy, the material they are made from should be robust, since these doors have an axis that needs to be supported. More often than not, pivoting doors are made to measure, and, therefore, are considerably more expensive than more common types of doors.
Shrimp Holder Doors
A shrimp holder door is ideal for dividing two environments when there is a lack of space. Installation is more laborious than with some other door types, as shrimp holders require customized materials such as latches, handles, and rails. Their unique installation may end up raising their overall price a bit.
Folding Doors
The folding door is one of the least expensive options on the market and is named after the accordion; this is because it bends as it runs on the rail. They are usually made of plastic or PVC and are most often recommended for damp environments.
Sliding Doors
Without a doubt, the sliding door is the best choice for projects where space optimization is sought; sliding doors maintain the integrity of their environment with a modern and elegant air. For home plans with limited space, sliding doors are an option that can be worked using rails, embedded in walls, and other applications.
The important thing to keep in mind when choosing exterior doors is to take into account the style of your decor, the space available, and your budget.
Now that you know the main doors on the market access our door and window category and make the best choice for your home. We prioritizes quality and takes into account all your needs to deliver the best.
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