Custom Fiberglass Entry Doors

Of the various materials that withstand outside elements well, fiberglass emerges as a top choice for making entry doors to a house or building. The share of new homes with a fiberglass front door has shot up to 15% in recent years, despite being unheard of in the 1960s. Correspondingly, custom fiberglass doors are de rigeur, cost notwithstanding as the material by nature is pricier than wood or steel.

Although homeowners prefer the natural look of stained wood grain, the natural look is well-replicated by modern fiberglass composite materials. The surface of fiberglass entry doors can be covered to mimic the grainy look of wood using a coat of textured, wood mold. Treatment with standard wood stain completes the look of fiberglass to match popular choices such as oak.

The traditional entry door replacement involved simply removing a door (technically known as the slab) from its hinges and placing a new one on. The new development is to install a whole entry system, which includes the vertical sides of the frame (known as the jamb), paned glass, and door sills (the bottom portion) which can accomodate a door interface.

Flanking fiberglass panels on the sides of the jambs adorned with glass panes is also available as part of a system. The installation of such an elaborate doorway can add high value to a home not only because of its value but also because of the added look and attractiveness. For a custom fiberglass entry door, one may select from amongst a preset number of styles for various elements of the door, and elements of the so-called sidelights (also known as sidelites) of the door, which are thinner panels that frame the jamb (less technically known as the "door frame"). The following video shows some basics in putting in an exterior door along with a sidelight.

The advantage of fiberglass entry doors is that they are extremely hardy with the lowest maintenance out of all door materials, including wood and steel. This gives the manufacturer and retailer added room to support long warranties for the end consumer. There are companies that will go as far as guaranteeing the door for duration of your home ownership - available for customers who go the distance by opting for the most extensive entry system.

Typically the material is not uniformly plastic, glass and resin. Some parts of a full entry system contains wood paneling, edges or finishes. Moreover, the interior of such doors are often composed of insulating materials. In the U.K. they are known as composite (the term fiberglass is replaced with the word glass-reinforced plastic) doors given the complexity of their construction. Additionally, bits of metal are found in the lock, door knob, and knocker.

Choosing a custom fiberglass entry door is involving because the customization process is so detailed. The end consumer must pick from amongst dozens of basic layout designs of the main door, in addition to variations of the sidelights that flank the door. After the layout is chosen, the consumer must select the faux woodgrain finish for staining the fiberglass. Included in these are antique finishes. The woodgrain is secondary to a final painting step which can turn the custom door into a unique shade. If the consumer is interested in individualization, s/he may ask for carving that will imprint completely unique designs on the door. Should glass be also installed as panels in either the main door or the sidelights, the number of designs number in the several dozens at most retailers.