Fiberglass vs. Steel Entry Doors

Choosing the Best Front Door for Your Home and Style

Buying Guides

There are some home improvement projects that are primarily made for functional reasons, such as repairing a leaky pipe under the kitchen sink. And there are some projects primarily made for aesthetic reasons, such as planting flowers or painting the living room walls. And then, there are the projects that find themselves at the hinge where the two meet, with front door replacement being among the most popular and impactful.

At Thompson Creek, we understand the importance of making an entrance. We have seen the transformative power of new front doors for homes time and again, and pride ourselves on helping our customers find the best fit for their house and personal style. Our extensive selection of exterior steel and fiberglass doors answers for any and all of the ‘checkboxes’ on your list, from enhanced safety and durability, to additional light and energy efficiency. Let’s delve into some of the pros, cons, and considerations to make when exploring your entry door options.

Steel Entry Doors

Steel doors are a popular option for homeowners craving a bold color, exceptional durability, or both! Available in your choice of smooth or textured steel, they are also a bit more affordable than fiberglass, and significantly less expensive than most wooden doors. Let’s examine some of the primary pros and cons of steel doors to help you in deciding if they’re the right fit for your home…

Pros

Affordability: The three most popular materials for entry doors are wood, fiberglass, and steel, with steel being the most affordable among them
Security & Strength: Steel doors are among the strongest on the market, providing homeowners protection against the elements and potential intruders. While they are a favored choice for homeowners in all areas, their resistance to the elements and would-be intruders makes them especially popular in larger cities, and for rental properties
Maintenance: Unlike a wooden door that must be regularly cleaned, stained or painted, and inspected for damage from pests or moisture, steel doors are exceptionally low-maintenance, requiring a simple wipe down once a month or so

Cons

Can be Scratched & Dented: While steel doors are very secure, they are not impervious to damage. Steel doors can scratch and dent more easily than other materials, especially steel doors manufactured from thin steel. Thompson Creek doors use 20-gauge steel versus doors typically made from 26-gauge steel or thinner. If you live in a relatively quiet household, and don’t move large items in or out very often, this may not be a concern for you. But if you have young kids or teens who are always clamoring into the house with their arms full of books, bags, and sports equipment, your door may bear some battle scars from wayward field hockey sticks
Can’t Be Stained: Unlike wood and fiberglass doors, steel doors cannot be stained, requiring painting instead. While some homeowners won’t mind this, paint can be easily susceptible to chipping with the regular use an entry door experiences, particularly if there is an area with an existing dent or ding.
Easily Heats Up: As a naturally good conductor of heat, steel doors can become quite hot to the touch in summer months. While this might not be a major concern for adult-only households, it can be more difficult for kids to remember not to touch the outside of the door in the dog days of summer. Speaking of dogs, this can also be a concern for pet parents whose pooches like to relax against the door on the porch

Fiberglass Entry Doors

Many homeowners choose fiberglass doors for the high-end look and versatility they offer, with a price point that’s typically in the mid-range between steel and wood. There truly aren’t many cons to the material, unless price is your primary concern.

Pros

Wood-Look: Whereas steel doors can have a bit more of an industrial look and feel, fiberglass mimics the look of real wood, with none of the high maintenance that comes with a natural material. You will have your choice of a beautiful selection of light and dark finishes, or can opt for paint if that better suits your style.
Durability & Longevity: It’s a good thing fiberglass doors can be so easily stained or painted, because you may not ever need a new one! Fiberglass is unmatched for durability, with Thompson Creek’s doors being crafted from the highest-quality materials available. Fiberglass is also resistant to the dents and dings steel doors are susceptible to, providing greater impact-resistance with a comparable level of security
Energy-Efficient: While fiberglass is an energy-efficient material in its own right, our fiberglass front doors are made even more so because of our completely custom fit. The material is also resistant to fluctuations in temperature, meaning you won’t have to worry about your door warping over time, or the “hot or cold to the touch” concerns of steel doors in summer and winter

Cons

Price: If cost is your primary concern, exterior steel doors are typically more affordable than fiberglass. That said, fiberglass is less pricy than wood, both in up-front costs and maintenance. Many homeowners find fiberglass the “happy medium” between steel and wood, providing the strength and security of steel, and the aesthetic appeal of wood.
More Difficult to Install: If you’re in the market for a DIY front door replacement option, fiberglass doors might not be your best bet, being more difficult to size and install than wood doors. This isn’t a concern when buying an entry door in any material from Thompson Creek as a custom fit and professional installation are included for all our doors, replacement windows, and seamless gutter systems.

Front door ideas and Inspiration

Red Front Door with Glass Inset and Sidelights

There is no denying the powerful ‘pop’ of color a red front door provides, making it one of the most popular color choices for homes of all sizes and styles. With many homeowners choosing a more neutral, muted color for their vinyl siding, a red door adds personality and definition to the front of your home. The pictured entry door also adds plenty of light, with an oval glass inset, and two beautifully detailed sidelights. When even more light is desired, the homeowner can open the front door entirely, with a storm door keeping out the elements and pests.

White Front Door with Large Glass Panel from Inside the Home

While curb appeal is undeniably important, most of us spend significantly more time looking at the inside of our door than the outside. Luckily, the designers at Thompson Creek are equally skilled at making both beautiful, as seen here. This homeowner wanted a clean, bright look, accomplished through a white door and trim, glass-front, double sidelights, and a transom window.

Wood Look Front Door with Glass Grids and Transom Window

If you haven’t shopped for a replacement front door for a decade or longer, you’re sure to be surprised by how far fiberglass doors have come in their ability to mimic the look of wood. Even up-close, many can’t differentiate between the two materials, which has only increased the popularity of fiberglass doors. We love the contrast between the rich wood tone and brilliant white trim this homeowner selected, with the oversized arch transom only adding to its appeal.

Privacy Glass Front Door from Inside the Home

If you’re looking for an intricate glass style, but hate the idea of covering it with blinds, our privacy glass options allow you to enjoy the look, without inviting in prying eyes! This vintage-inspired door is ideal for maintaining the historical look and feel of your home, or adding a bit more charm to a newer build that might be just a tad too modern for your tastes.

Green French Doors with Modern Transom Window

These green French doors prove just how stunning solid can be, particularly when painted a rich emerald, and accented with bright brass hardware. A clean, modern, rectangular transom perfectly complements the detail of the doors, providing plenty of light without compromising privacy.

French Doors on Upper Level with Transom

While many of us envision a ground-level entryway when we think of exterior doors, many homeowners have upper levels with outdoor access, particularly those who live in high-rise buildings, larger homes partitioned into apartments, and condos. While these doors don’t always feature a patio or balcony, they are wonderful for letting in a warm breeze, or simply opening the doors on a sunny day. These French doors are outfitted with white curtains for privacy, with a complementary transom that opens up the space and lets the light shine in.

Fiberglass Door with Large Glass Inset and Sidelights

With a backyard view that beautiful, it would be a shame not to have such a large glass inset, and oversized sidelights! This homeowner saw the opportunity to bring the outside in, and they seized it. Opting for a wood-look fiberglass door with a light stain, the satin finish hardware is the perfect finishing touch.

Steel and Glass Front Door on Brick Home

This homeowner further enhanced the appeal of their brick’s uniquely modern black mortar with an elegant, chic black steel door. This bold color is kept from looking too ‘heavy’ through the inclusion of a large glass front and double sidelights.

Wood Look Front Door with Glass Panel and Sidelights from Inside the Home

This elegant entryway is made possible through a rich cherry hue, satin finish hardware, and a modern but unique glass design that is eye-catching without being the least bit too ‘loud.’ While decidedly sophisticated and stately, the warmth of the wood-tone also makes this entryway cozy and charming, offering the best of both worlds.

Green Front Door with Transom and Sidelights

For a style that is both elegant and inviting, there is no denying the power of an emerald green door paired with beautifully etched glass – especially when that glass is on the door, at each side of the door, and above the door. A brass kick plate helps ensure the door retains its beauty over time, from top to bottom.

Front Door Styles

At Thompson Creek, every door we design, build, and install is customized for your home, with new interior and exterior trim included in the price. By working not only to achieve your desired look from the door color to the hardware finish, but also with the specific dimensions of your doorway, we are able to provide a perfectly secure fit. This aids in improved energy-efficiency, keeping out the elements, proper structural support, and continued enjoyment of your door without worry over a bad fit causing ‘sticking’ or other common issues.

While most homeowners opt for front door replacement choices from our extensive catalog of options, our design team can also work with you to create a custom front door completely unique to your home. Customization options include glass, etchings, caming, hardware, and more.

Double Front Doors

steel double doors with glass panels from inside the home

When most of us imagine a stately entry way, it is not one, but two front doors that come to mind. But there’s more than good looks and grand entrances to exterior double doors; yes, they truly have both brains and beauty!

More Natural Light: While you can certainly opt for solid double doors if you don’t want or need additional light, many homeowners opt for double doors with glass insets, sidelights, and transoms to maximize their natural light potential.

Makes Moving Furniture Easy: Anyone who has struggled with getting a couch, box spring, or dresser through a slim entry door can attest to the level of frustration it brings. Double entry doors help ensure that no matter how oversized the recliner or sofa, you’ll never again feel like Ross from Friends yelling, “Pivot! Pivot!”

French Doors

A type of double door, French doors are most popularly chosen for exterior doors at the rear of the home, with their large single glass pane – or more common smaller panes, separated by grids – providing a clear view into the backyard or patio. French doors can also be customized for the front of your home, featuring decorative glass insets, or no glass at all if you prefer solid doors. Our high-quality French doors are available in your choice of steel or fiberglass, in an array of colors, finishes, and hardware options.

Doors with Sidelights

Whether you simply love the look of sidelights – or “sidelites” as they’re also known – or your home doesn’t get much light and every extra ray counts, Thompson Creek’s selection of entry doors with single and double sidelights is sure to offer the look your desire.

While many homeowners prefer the balance that double sidelights offer, others prefer the modern look a single sidelight can bring. Single sidelights are also a great choice for smaller homes where one on each side might overwhelm the front of the home, or simply not accommodate two. Whether you’re craving contemporary, or are more tempted by traditional, our extensive selection of glass options is sure to include your ‘dream door’ perfect match.

Doors with Transom Windows

Light-lovers rejoice for doors with transoms! Whether your existing doorway already features a transom, or you’re taking advantage of the perfect opportunity to install one with your new door, these horizontal windows that sit directly above your entry door add ample light, and curb appeal, to your home. This appeal is only amplified if your home has an elegant interior lighting fixture that will “shine through” the transom window in the evening, lending charm and sophistication.

Solid Front Doors

While doors with a glass inset window are a popular option for those in need of some extra light, many homeowners prefer the look and privacy that solid doors offer. Those who crave bold color also often choose a solid door for maximum impact, with Thompson Creek being able to match any color in the Sherwin Williams catalog for all our exterior door styles.

An added benefit of solid entry doors is they are the easiest style to outfit with a peephole, a top consideration for many homeowners in larger cities. If your front door isn’t set back far from the curb, solid doors can also offer much-needed privacy. Does the sidewalk in front of your home get a lot of foot traffic? Solid doors can also help you better tune out the outside world, while entry doors with glass can draw your attention with the shadows of people moving past. This can be especially beneficial for homeowners with dogs or cats who respond to all movement, protecting their palace!

Storm Doors

No matter which material or style of our front doors for homes you choose, including double doors, we can customize storm doors to fit perfectly. Out aluminum storm doors are crafted to withstand whatever the Mid-Atlantic climate throws their way, helping protect the beauty and integrity of your exterior door. They also allow you to open the door to let the sun or fresh air in, without also welcoming pests or the neighbor’s cat.

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