Fiberglass vs. Steel Doors: What's the Difference?
When it comes to replacing an exterior door, steel and fiberglass both have a lot to love
Highlights
Fiberglass doors offer a wide range of styles and finishes.
Steel doors are a highly secure option for safety-conscious homeowners.
High-end fiberglass doors can cost around $5,000.
Steel doors average between $600 and $1,800.
Your front door should greet you and your visitors while boosting your curb appeal. But if your old wood door has seen better days, fiberglass and steel are two common candidates for a replacement. Both offer significant advantages to traditional wood doors in terms of durability and security. We break down the pros and cons of fiberglass versus steel doors so you can feel confident in your choice.
What Is a Fiberglass Door?
Fiberglass doors are the most popular replacement option for upgrades and are often found in newer homes. Many homeowners choose fiberglass vs. wood doors when it comes time for replacement. They are available in a wide variety of colors and styles and can even mimic wood grain, making them a great option for style-conscious homeowners. Fiberglass doors are constructed from a highly insulated core sandwiched between layers of high-impact fiberglass. Fiberglass is known for its durability and is considered one of the best options for patio doors and other exterior doors.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Variety of colors and finishes | Expensive |
| Durable and low-maintenance | Less secure |
| Energy-efficient | Not eco-friendly |
Best for:
Homeowners who want a low-maintenance option
Style-conscious homeowners
Homes in areas that experience extreme weather
Pros of Fiberglass Doors
Lots of design options
Customizable color
Available with glass panes
Durable (won’t shrink, warp, split, or crack)
Low-maintenance (dent- and scratch-resistant, washable with soap and water)
Energy efficient (heat- and draft-resistant)
Cons of Fiberglass Doors
May be more costly than other door types but may last longer
Offers less security than steel doors
Finish may fade over time in direct sunlight
Will not decompose and cannot be recycled
What Is a Steel Door?
Solid steel entry doors make a natural choice for industrial buildings, garages, and warehouse structures. They offer significant security improvement over hollow or wooden-core doors. The galvanized steel technology makes these doors nearly impossible to bend.
Most steel doors consist of 24-gauge steel with a coating that's 0.0250 of an inch thick and weighs 1.15 pounds per square foot. The steel is galvanized (coated in zinc oxide) to prevent rust and corrosion. These doors are mostly scratch-proof—but if a sharp object does scrape through the sealed surface, you might have to deal with rust.
The strong, durable steel makes them one of the most secure entry door types. And since you can paint them your preferred color, they don’t look half bad on residential homes.
Here are the pros and cons of steel doors:
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
| Offer maximum security | Prone to rust |
| Low-maintenance | Limited style options |
| Affordable | Less energy-efficient |
Best for:
Homeowners concerned with security
Budget-conscious homeowners
Households that value durability
Pros of Steel Doors
Available in smooth or wood-grain textures, stains, and colors
Most durable doors available on the market
Generally low-maintenance
Highly secure
Very affordable (with long-term value) compared to other door types
Cons of Steel Doors
Fewer design options than fiberglass doors
May rust if not properly primed and painted
May be drafty and less energy efficient compared to fiberglass doors
Fiberglass vs. Steel Doors
Appearance: Fiberglass
Due to the wide range of colors and finishes that fiberglass doors are available in, they’re a clear winner when it comes to appearance. While steel doors do offer some finish options, they’re much more limited than fiberglass.
Durability: Steel
Both fiberglass and steel doors are durable, and steel doors have a slight advantage, as they’re unable to crack like fiberglass can. They will outlast other kinds of doors on the market with proper maintenance.
Security: Steel
When it comes to security, steel simply can’t be beat. It’s far less vulnerable to break-ins than fiberglass, as it is one of the strongest door materials available. Steel can resist a tremendous amount of force, far more than it would take to breach a fiberglass door.
Price: Steel
Fiberglass doors can be a little pricier than steel, ranging from $3,200 to $5,000. Meanwhile, steel doors go for $600 to $1,800, depending on market availability in your region.
Maintenance: Fiberglass
While both types of doors are considered low-maintenance, fiberglass wins this category, as it’s not prone to rust like steel and can be cleaned with just soap and water. Steel doors are also more likely to be scratched, which can cause rust to develop if the door isn’t repainted.
Ease of Installation/DIYability: Fiberglass
Fiberglass and steel doors are both more complicated to install than traditional wood doors, but fiberglass doors weigh less than steel and more often come preinstalled on a frame, giving them a slight advantage when it comes to DIYability. “Steel doors are stronger, but they’re also heavier,” says Bob Tschudi, Angi Expert Review Board member and general contractor in Raleigh, NC. “So be sure to use stronger hinges and longer screws when installing.”
Cost to Install a Door
Door installation costs depend on a variety of factors, but the average cost is $1,165 with most homeowners spending $500 to $1,880. The door size, materials, and style all impact cost. Whether or not it’s an interior or exterior door also has a bearing on how much you pay, with exterior doors averaging a higher cost.
DIY vs. Hiring a Pro
Door installation can be a DIY project, especially if you’re simply swapping a door for a new one. However, you may not feel comfortable tackling a door install yourself or have the time, so hiring a local door installer is a great option. If you do decide to hire a pro, expect labor costs of $40 to $90 an hour, not including the cost of materials.
Rachel Hoffman contributed to this article.
Frequently Asked Questions
Doors come in a wide variety of materials, including fiberglass, wood, and steel. Fiberglass is an excellent choice if you’re looking for a durable, long-lasting, energy-efficient option that comes in a variety of colors, although it’s not eco-friendly. Steel provides durability and maximum security, but it’s not eco-friendly or energy-efficient. Wood is an energy-efficient, eco-friendly door solution, but it is more expensive.
Both fiberglass and steel offer durability for exterior doors and can withstand extreme temperature swings. However, fiberglass is a better choice for the sun because it doesn't get hot to the touch the way steel doors can. Fiberglass doors have much better insulation compared to steel, too.
You do not have to purchase a storm door if you have a fiberglass door. Fiberglass doors offer numerous advantages, including durability and the ability to stand up to harsh conditions such as low or high temperatures. Fiberglass doors also have excellent insulation properties, so you don’t have to add on a storm door if you’re looking for better temperature regulation inside your home.