Fiberglass is an extremely strong and durable material to select for your entry door. Think of it as a happy-medium between steel and wood. A lot of homeowners love fiberglass doors because of how secure and energy efficient they are. Not to mention, they require very little maintenance, providing years of good looks and quality before they even start to show signs of wear. But even so, fiberglass doors aren’t completely invincible.
If you’ve had yours for over a decade, and/or it’s been damaged, it might be time to consider replacing it. However, if the door only has minor damage, you might be able to prolong replacement a little bit longer. Sometimes it can be hard to tell the difference, so New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc. is here to help.
Understanding Fiberglass Doors
It helps to understand door anatomy, so that you can get a better idea of how certain types of fiberglass door damage might be affecting it. On the outside, fiberglass front doors tend to just look like they’re completely solid. But, that’s not always the case. Most of them are hollow with an inner core that’s made up of many different materials. The inner core plays an important role in how well the door performs. Usually the inner core features stabilizing stiles and rails, made from either wood or composite material, along with thick insulating foam. There’s also a weather-strip to seal off the inside of the house from the outside. Finally, the frame and door jamb are usually made from treated wood.
Knowing When to Replace Fiberglass Doors
The purpose of any front door is to welcome people inside the home, keep out intruders and protect against the elements. If any of these three things become compromised, it might be in your best interest to replace the door, no matter what material it’s made out of.
Unlike wood, fiberglass won’t rot, warp or twist. But remember, there’s still wood components involved. A wooden frame is especially vulnerable. If you notice your front door’s frame isn’t completely level or appears otherwise damaged, you’ll definitely want to replace it along with the door to keep your home as safe as possible. Likewise, even though the fiberglass itself is very durable and designed to resist impact, it can still dent or break if it’s hit with enough force. If your door has this type of damage, consider replacing it with a new one.
It’s also a good idea to replace the door if the door’s wooden edge (where the locking hardware is) is cracked or splintered. Edges, especially when made from wood, can crack if the door is hit without enough force. So definitely check the edges if someone tried to force their way in or a bad storm battered the door recently.
Another sign it’s time for replacement is if the door has lost some of its energy efficiency. For example, maybe your energy bills are higher than usual or the front entryway seems particularly drafty in the winter or warm in the summer. While sometimes this can be solved simply by replacing the weather-strip, other times it means the insulating core or the door’s weather-tight finishes and technologies aren’t working properly anymore.
Let’s Talk About Replacement Options
If you do decide to get a replacement door, know that it’s an opportunity to choose a new one that’s even more secure, beautiful and energy efficient than the last one. At New Jersey Siding & Windows, Inc., we offer a large selection of high-quality, stylish fiberglass doors, including our HOME GUARD® FiberStar™ Fiberglass Doors with patented Hydroshield™ technology and exclusive Timberframe® all-composite frames. Request info/free estimates by contacting us today.
