Home › Guides › Renovation, GC & carpentry › Types of exterior doors: materials and styles compared
Buyer's guideYour front and exterior doors handle security, energy efficiency, weather and first impressions. Choosing the right material and style pays off in all four. Here are the main exterior door types and how to pick.
Entry doors should be solid and paired with quality locks and strong frames. Steel and solid fibreglass resist forced entry best.
Insulated cores and good weatherstripping cut drafts and bills — a drafty door wastes heat all winter.
Wood needs refinishing; steel and fibreglass are lower-maintenance, though steel can dent and rust if damaged.
Glass inserts and styles affect light and curb appeal — balance looks with privacy and security.
A strong, insulated, affordable door that's hard to break through.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Security and value on main entries
Durable, low-maintenance doors that can mimic wood without the upkeep.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Low-maintenance front doors
Classic, premium doors with natural beauty and customization.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Character homes wanting a statement
A pair of glass-paned doors that open wide to a patio or garden.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Patios and garden access
Large glass panels that glide open — space-saving with great views.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Patios where swing space is tight
A secondary outer door that adds protection, ventilation and efficiency.
| Pros | Cons |
|---|---|
|
|
Best for: Adding protection and airflow to an entry
Found the type you want? Book a vetted, insured pro at an upfront or quoted price:
A solid steel or heavy fibreglass door paired with a quality deadbolt and a strong frame offers the best security against forced entry.
Steel is more affordable and very secure; fibreglass is lower-maintenance, resists dents and can mimic wood. Both are energy-efficient.
Yes — an insulated door with good weatherstripping cuts drafts and heating bills. A drafty old door is a common source of heat loss.
