As for curb appeal, forget the plastic-looking imposters introduced a pair of decades ago. The ideal models attribute convincingly textured fiberglass "skins," energy-saving insulation, and also a an extensive menu of end up options, as well as molding, glass, and also hardware choices to match any kind of house style.
"Manufacturers have offered the skins real life now," claims Tim Ellenz, president of California window and Door, a dealer and also installer in Palm Desert. Ellenz didn"t also sell fiberglass entry doors 15 year ago; last year, the classification accounted for 90 percent the his door business.
Consider the aesthetic improvements and also a price tags that"s regularly lower than what you"d pay for a similar wood door, and today"s fiberglass entrance doors come to be legitimate rivals. Still, detect the ideal fiberglass entry door the looks and also fits right needs a little homework—or simply reading on.
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Shown: Aurora practice Fiberglass collection prehung, factory-finished door with hardware, beginning at about $5,000; jeld-wen.com
Fiberglass entry Doors: crucial Questions come Ask before Buying

Slab or prehung?
A slab is simply the door; girlfriend (or a pro) affix the hinges, drill holes because that the hardware, and also hang it on an existing jamb. A prehung door come hinged to a jamb and also has a threshold and a weatherstripping system, through the alternative of a factory-installed lock and also latch. Friend trim it the end to suit your house.What"s that cost?
You"ll pay almost everywhere from $150 because that a smooth-surfaced, paint-ready slab to $7,000 or an ext for a prehung, realistically textured and also factory-stained wood-grained version with lights and also molded panels. The sweet spot for a high-quality fiberglass entry door is $1,500 come $2,500. Include on about $400 come $800 to have actually a agree install it.
How lengthy will the last?
A life time warranty is standard; the maker will change the door if it falls short for as long as you own your house. Glass and also factory-finish warranties are one more story, typically 10 to twenty years and one to three years, respectively.
Where to buy?
Order through big-box shop or, for the largest choice of hardware, finish, and glass options, indigenous an elevation specialty home window and door supplier.
Fiberglass Door components

Think that a sandwich, through glued-on fiberglass skin as the bread and also rigid insulating foam together the filling. One interior structure of wood or composite rails and also stiles forms the exposed edges.
Where come buy fiberglass door components
Order v big-box stores or, because that the largest choice of hardware, finish, and also glass options, from an independent specialty window and door supplier.
Fiberglass prior Doors Pros and Cons
The Pros

The Cons

Fiberglass vs. Lumber Door

Fiberglass vs. Stole Doors

Fiberglass entrance Doors: price
Good Value

($200-$1,500)
Putty-like "sheet molding compound" is stamped under high heat and pressure with a steel dice to type the fiberglass skins. Stiles space inch-thick laminated veneer hardwood (LVL) capped through composite for rot resistance. Rails are complete composite.
Better Value

($1,500-$4,000)
Long-strand fiberglass is machine-pressed ~ above silicone molds actors from genuine wood doors for realistic graining. Four-inch-thick LVL stiles are capped with a hardwood sheet band. Rails are composite.
Best Value

(starting at $4,000)
Thick fiberglass sheets room layered by hand ~ above the silicone molds and also vacuum pressed. Four-inch-thick LVL stiles and also rails have a hardwood edge band. Finish is hand used for an yes, really look.
Before you Order, understand Your Specs inside Out

Fiberglass Door Sizes
Companies stock many choices within a standard range, generally in 80-, 84-, and 96-inch heights and 2-inch broad increments. For a prehung unit, you"ll need the size of the turbulent opening and the total depth that the wall to recognize jamb width. To order a slab, measure the height, width, and also thickness that the door the is replacing and also choose a stock size to match.Swing
From the outside, facing an exterior door the swings inward (as most residential doors do): If the hinges are on the right-hand side, it"s a right-handed door, and also vice versa.
Safety Codes
For extra security, you can order a prehung fiberglass door through a factory-installed three-point locking system, behind-the-jam steel brackets, and also a steel plate in the core. In hurricane zones, make certain your door meets the influence requirements specified by local structure codes.
Shown: Manufacturers sell a wide selection of clear, textured, leaded, and also low-e glass. Comparable to shown: Pulse collection prehung and also paint-ready door, starting at $580; thermatru.com
Fiberglass Door Designs
Craftsman Style

Shown: Feather flow factory-finished door, around $530 (prehung); homedepot.com
Colonial Style

Shown: Six-panel slab door, with wood-grain-texture fiberglass skin and factory-applied paint, indigenous $450; plastproinc.com
Victorian Style

Shown: Aurora custom Fiberglass Collection version A112 door, starting at $4,800 (prehung); jeld-wen.com
Contemporary Style

Shown: Ari door through low-e glass, native the Pulse collection, native $684 (prehung and also paint-ready); thermatru.com
Spanish Mission Style

Shown: Factory-finished door, from around $1,735.
Neoclassical Style

Shown: center Arch door through a factory finish, around $850 (prehung); pella.com
Cottage Style

Shown: Paint-ready slab, about $610; masonite.com
Tudor Style

Shown: Classic-Craft Rustic repertoire door with factory-applied finish, around $2,400 (prehung); thermatru.com
Finishing Tips

Custom Fiberglass Doors
Split Doors

Shown: Two-panel design A1202 prehung door, v Knotty Alder grain, from the Aurora practice Fiberglass Collection, beginning at $4,100; jeld-wen.com
Curves Ahead

Shown: Eight-panel radius-top design A1308 prehung door, v Knotty Alder grain, from the Aurora custom Fiberglass Collection, beginning at $4,500; jeld-wen.com
Ornamental Metalwork

Shown: estate Cherry lumber grain fiberglass slab door with Sycamore finish, native $1,495.
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With Windows

Shown: Craftsman prehung twin door through Homestead windows and also transom, around $4,340; pella.com