When it’s time to install a new front door on your Dallas home, there are many considerations in regards to the best material. Curb appeal is important, but so is durability – especially in the face of the hot weather we experience here in Dallas. You have to balance aesthetics with durability and function, which means you have to think about how the climate will affect your new front door.

Weather is perhaps the biggest consideration. For example, an entry door that does well in snowy, cold climates, may not fare as well as that same door in dry heat and direct sun all year long.

Overall, there are three main materials to choose from: steel, wood or fiberglass. What’s best for your Dallas home?

Direct Sun

Most front doors in Dallas and surrounding areas are exposed to extreme heat and direct sunlight for much of the year. A steel door would not be the best choice due to its ability to retain heat. This would make it hot to the touch and not very safe. By the same token, metal doors are able to hold their shape even under the hottest of temperatures without deformation.

Wood doors, while they look beautiful and traditional, tend to warp, delaminate and crack in direct sunlight. Because wood doors are made from natural fibers, they warp a little every time the temperature, air pressure, or humidity changes. You can add a special finish that will combat the effects of direct exposure to UV light.  

That’s why fiberglass doors are often the best choice for Dallas homes. Not only are they tough, they are fairly maintenance free, plus they resemble the look of authentic wood without the warping and rotting.

Most modern front doors these days are composites.

Color

Some colors are more susceptible to sunlight than others. In general, light colors will repel sunlight while darker colors retain heat. Just use the analogy of a dark interior of a car – it will be very hot to sit on after it’s been sitting in the sun for the day.

Materials

There are many benefits to installing a fiberglass entry door for your Dallas home, such as:

• Insulating foam has 5x the five insulating properties of other materials.
• They are scratch, peel and warp resistant, faring better in harsh environments.
• They are available in many colors and styles that you can customize to your home.
• They’re easy to install in any size opening
• You get more security and protection against intruders thanks to double or triple pane glass that won’t easily shatter.

There are many benefits to installing steel entry doors on your Dallas home, too, not the least of which is the security and durability they afford you for peace of mind. Wood doors give you the aesthetics you want but they don’t last for long under the beating sun.

Contact Dallas Door Designs

Can’t decide which material would be best for your Dallas home? Contact us at 214-973-0373 for a free estimate and consultation with our design team.