The Pros and Cons of Different Styles of Doors

New exterior doors not only give your home a fresh and updated look, they can also significantly reduce your utility bills. Modern, energy-efficient materials mean your new doors can pay for themselves over time. We’ve put together some information to help you get started on your door selection process.

To learn more about how new doors can improve the look and energy efficiency of your home, call Quality Window & Door at 1-800-370-8751.

Entry Doors

• Wood
  Wood is a popular choice among homeowners for a high-end look, but it tends to be expensive and require significant maintenance with annual painting and/or staining needs to maintain its appearance.
• Steel
  Steel has a reputation for being inexpensive, secure, and long-lasting, but it tends to have a shorter life span and dent more easily than wood and fiberglass. A steel door will usually last only ten years on average in a high-humidity environment, and both wood and fiberglass are able to outlast that life span.
• Fiberglass
  Fiberglass doors are virtually maintenance-free and have available finishes that can mimic the appearance of high-end wood. They feel lightweight but are durable and can last from 15 to 20 years, and include an energy-efficient foam core, which means they insulate well against heat loss.

Sliding Patio Doors

Sliding doors don’t require additional space to open; they slide on a compact set of tracks that stack on each other to open up your indoor living space to the outdoors. However, you can only open a sliding door halfway, they tend to be noisy when opening, and some people find their weight difficult to maneuver.

French Doors

A set of French doors provides a traditionally elegant entrance into your home, provides a high-end look, and can open the entire width of the door frame for maximum ventilation. They require floor space to open, and this might make them an undesirable option for a small or cramped location.

Bifold Doors

Bifold doors are easy to install and maintain, versatile enough to suit a modern or traditional design aesthetic, and include multiple locking points for enhanced security. The downsides are that they include a lot of frames that partially obstruct views and don’t include a threshold. They also may need to stack inside your home, which might intrude on your living space.

Lift & Slide Doors

Lift and slide doors operate differently than sliding doors – you turn a handle downward to lift the door panel up from the track and the door rolls on heavy-duty wheels to allow opening with little effort. A lift and slide door isn’t able to open invisibly, unless you install a wall pocket, as panels must stack on top of each other as the door opens. They also allow you to control the size of the opening, for customized ventilation and quick entry and exit.

Schedule Your New Door Installation Today

Quality Window & Door has been providing customers with the best turnkey solutions, products, and services for more than 20 years. Our numerous positive reviews speak to the quality of our workmanship. We’re proud to offer competitive pricing, free consultations, and an in-house warranty on all of our products and services.

Contact the experts at Quality Window & Door by calling 1-800-370-8751 to schedule your free door installation consultation today.