Pros and Cons of Wood Entry Doors

Wood entry doors are the elegant entrance that we all dream of for our homes. They have a lot of appeal for homeowners, but are there any downsides? Keep reading to learn more.

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Pros & Cons of Wood Entry Doors
Benefits of Wood Entry Doors
Drawbacks of Wood Entry Doors
Wood Entry Door Construction
Are Wood Entry Doors Secure?
Alternatives to Wood Doors

Pros and Cons of Wood Entry Doors

Each design aspect of a home comes with its particular benefits and drawbacks. Wood entry doors are no different. It is better to know what to expect from them before making a choice one way or another.

Benefits of Wood Entry Doors

The visual and welcoming appeal.

Nobody can deny the visual effect one receives when walking up to a home with a beautiful wooden door. They have a warmer feel to them and elegantly accent almost any exterior design your own could have.

Wooden doors include a versatile choice of woods and designs.

Choosing a wooden door isn't as straightforward as you would think. If you want a more polished look, then you could go for bamboo or teak. Choose elegant with a traditional oak or the rustic vibe with a knotted pine wood. Customize them further by applying a stain or a finish.

Wooden doors are durable and excellent at reducing sound.

The characteristics of wood include durability and, sometimes, weather-resistant. If you use a solid wood door, they help reduce outdoor noise from penetrating. They are also easy to repair and can be sized and adjusted to any size doorframe.

Since they are a natural material, they are more eco-friendly to produce.

Producing synthetic materials takes a lot more water and emits more carbon dioxide than the cutting and styling of wood.

Drawbacks of Wood Entry Doors

Without proper sealing, they are susceptible to moisture absorption.

A wooden door has an increased chance of absorbing exterior moisture depending on the grain of the wood and whether or not it was correctly sealed before installation.

Installing a wooden door isn't a one-and-done process.

Once a wooden door is installed, it needs continued maintenance to keep it in pristine shape for many years to come. Every couple of years, you will need to re-seal it and probably touch up the exterior.

Wooden doors are not as energy-efficient↗ as their modern counterparts.

These doors are an ode to the design of past ages. However beautiful they might be, they are also less energy-efficient than modern alternatives. As a natural material, they react to changes in humidity and temperature more than fiberglass or steel does. It means more heat can escape around them even if they are properly sealed.

They often start at a higher price than most alternatives.

Due to the elegance and further processing involved with making quality wooden doors, they can start at a higher price point than synthetics and other styles.

Wood Entry Door Construction

Manufacturers craft wooden doors↗ by using a stile and rail construction. This method entails joining multiple pieces together to create the overall design. Often, there are designed details included among the panels to give it increased visual appeal. They are often stained or completed with a finish.

Wood doors have standard sizes including 2' 6" by 6' 8", 2' 8" by 7' 0", and 3' 0" by 8' 0". As noted above, one of their positive aspects is that they can be easily customized to fit any doorway.

Are Wood Entry Doors Secure?

Since wood entry doors are constructed with tightly fitted pieces of solid wood through and through, they are a secure choice↗ for your entryway. They can be fitted with a yale lock or a mortice look. However, it is easy to customize your security system by adding more to the door.

Alternatives to Wood Doors

These are a couple of common alternatives for wooden doors and some of their pros and cons.

Steel Doors

Steel doors are an excellent choice for those who do not prioritize aesthetics as much as their budget. They can still look appealing by being painted. Steel doors feature a polyurethane foam core. It is this that gives them increased insulation ability. They do not require as much maintenance as wood but should be protected from inclement weather since they easily rust and dent.

Fiberglass Doors

Fiberglass doors form a sandwich, two sheets of formed fiberglass covering over a polyurethane foam core. Their construction protects against any heat and cold exchange. They are resistant to moisture and thus do not rot, warp, or peel. These can mimic the look of a wooden door by adopting a wood grain look or being stained.

For those who prioritize aesthetics over energy-efficiency, a wooden door fits the bill. If you want a door that you can install and walk away from, it is better to purchase a fiberglass option. For those with a focus on their wallets and less on aesthetic, steel doors are more satisfying.