Entry Door Buying Guide

Major brands like Jeld-Wen, Masonite, and Pella offer a range of entry doors in different materials, each with distinct advantages depending on your budget, climate, and design preferences.

Fiberglass
Fiberglass doors are a popular choice for their durability, versatility, and low maintenance. They come in smooth finishes or embossed wood-grain textures that can closely resemble real wood.
Pros: Fiberglass doors resist wear and tear better than steel doors and can withstand weather without warping, cracking, or rusting. They can be painted or stained, they’re generally dent-resistant, and they provide solid insulation. Fiberglass doors fall in the middle range price-wise, making them a practical choice.
Cons: Fiberglass doors are sturdy but can crack under a high-impact force, especially in extreme cold. And although they can resemble wood, they lack the rich, authentic look and feel of real wood.

Steel
Steel doors, accounting for about half the market, are a solid option for those prioritizing security and affordability.
Pros: Known for their strength, steel doors offer superior security and can be a highly weather-resistant, low-maintenance option. They’re energy-efficient and come in a variety of styles, with or without glass panels. They’re also the most budget-friendly, giving you security and insulation at a fraction of the cost of wood or high-end fiberglass.
Cons: Steel doors are prone to dents, which can be difficult to repair, and scratches that, if left untreated, may lead to rust. They generally don’t weather as well as fiberglass under heavy abuse or extreme weather, so they may require regular touch-ups to maintain their appearance.

Wood
Wood entry doors are prized for their traditional, high-end look, exuding natural warmth and beauty.
Pros: Solid-wood doors generally hold up well against wear and tear and resist dents. Scratches can be easily sanded out. They’re the most customizable, with options for intricate paneling and rich finishes, and they offer a natural look that adds curb appeal to a range of home styles.
Cons: Wood doors are typically the most expensive option, and they require regular maintenance, such as painting or varnishing, to protect against moisture and sun damage. Without proper upkeep, wood can warp, swell, or crack, especially in extreme climates.

Manufacturers offer a range of customizable features for entry doors, including panels, glass inserts, grille patterns, sidelights, and transoms. Each option can add style and function to your door, though some may also add to the cost. Here’s what to look for.

Adjustable Threshold
An adjustable threshold keeps your door weather-tight over time, especially as your home settles or materials expand and contract with the seasons. Without one, you’ll likely need to add a new door sweep to block drafts and moisture. Adjustable thresholds are a smart way to stave off rain, wind, and insects.

Glass
Glass inserts bring in natural light and enhance curb appeal, but they can increase the cost of the door and lower its insulating qualities. (For better insulation, look for double- or triple-pane glass with low-emissivity—low-E—coatings to help reduce heat transfer.) If you’re choosing a door with glass panels near the handle or sidelights, consider a double-cylinder deadbolt lock. This type of lock requires a key on both sides, so a burglar can’t break the glass, reach in, and unlock the door. Just check your local codes first because some areas restrict these locks due to emergency exit concerns.

Rails and Stiles
Rails and stiles are the horizontal and vertical parts that brace and stabilize a door (typically wood). Solid wood rails and stiles can sometimes warp or bow in humid conditions, so if durability is a priority, go for laminated wood cores covered with veneer. This construction resists warping and keeps your door’s structure sound over time.

Weather Stripping
Quality weather stripping makes a big difference in keeping your entry door energy-efficient. Instead of foam, look for durable materials like silicone or rubber, which provide a stronger seal against drafts and moisture. Some doors come with weather stripping installed, while others may require adding or upgrading strips to provide a tight seal.

Start online
Choosing the right entry door is becoming more convenient and precise, thanks to online tools that allow you to visualize options on your home. Many manufacturer sites now feature 360-degree product views, changeable finish options, and augmented reality tools that help you picture different models in place. But there’s no substitute for an in-store visit to feel (or kick) a door to see if it’s up to snuff. Even if an exact model isn’t available, seeing and feeling the quality of similar doors can give you a reliable sense of construction and finish.

Consider energy efficiency
Steel and fiberglass doors generally offer better insulation than wood doors because of their dense, insulated cores. Models that are Energy Star qualified must undergo independent testing and certification, and typically include features like tighter-fitting frames and advanced weather stripping. For doors with glass, options with low-emissivity (low-E) coatings and double- or triple-pane glass further reduce heat transfer, limiting both heat loss in winter and heat gain in summer.

If you need an extra incentive to invest in an energy-saving door, note that certain models may qualify for the federal Energy Efficient Home Improvement Credit. Available through 2032, the credit allows homeowners to deduct up to 30 percent of the cost of a qualifying door from their taxes, up to a maximum annual limit.

It’s worth noting that heat loss typically occurs more often through air leaks around an entry door than through the door itself, making proper sealing as important as the door’s insulation value. And entry doors themselves are a relatively small part of a home’s surface area, so their impact on energy savings may be modest compared with other improvements.

Plan for installation
Entry doors typically come prehung in a frame and drilled for a knob and deadbolt, for a simpler installation. For a straightforward replacement, matching the size of your existing door saves time and effort. Upgrading to a larger door or adding sidelights will probably require reframing the opening, work best handled by a contractor because it involves structural modifications.

Most big-box home stores offer installation or referral services, but even with same-size doors, professional installation can ensure a precise fit and proper sealing, which are key to insulation and security. Unless you’re an experienced carpenter, hiring a pro may be the best route if you want a new door without a headache.

Think about safety
A strong lock and reinforced frame are important for deterring break-ins because forced entry is often achieved by kicking in the door. In our tests with a battering ram, all door materials—fiberglass, steel, and wood—revealed the same vulnerability: the doorjamb split near the lock’s strike plate. Reinforcing the lock area with a heavy-duty strike plate and a quality lock can significantly improve a door’s kick-in resistance.

To further fortify an exterior door, consider these measures:

Deadbolt strength: Choose a deadbolt with a throw bolt at least 1 inch long, along with a reinforced metal box strike that resists forced entry.

Longer screws: Use 3-inch-long screws to secure the strike plate and hinges deep into the framing, which adds strength to the doorjamb.

Secure your garage door: Interior doors leading from the garage into the home are a common entry point for intruders. Reinforce these doors with the same precautions, including a tough deadbolt and longer mounting screws.

Adding a storm door can be a smart way to protect your main entry door while adding ventilation and natural light. But a word of warning: While they are called “storm doors,” most are designed for light to moderate weather conditions rather than severe storms. Still, storm doors do provide several benefits.

In addition to protecting your entry door from the elements, a storm door lets you see and talk to visitors or solicitors while maintaining security. They also offer easy ventilation. With retractable screens now more common, it’s easier to adjust for airflow without the hassle of storing or swapping panels seasonally.

And while storm doors may not be designed for extreme weather, they do provide a reliable buffer against drafts and moderate rain. Larry Ciufo, who oversees CR’s door tests, says that the “storm door” moniker can be somewhat misleading. “People often think these doors can handle major storms,” he says, “but they’re really meant for everyday conditions, helping to block drafts and keep out the elements.” Our tests reveal which storm doors from major brands perform better than the rest.

Glass and screen options
Storm doors come in a variety of styles to suit different needs for visibility, ventilation, and convenience. Full-view storm doors feature a large, uninterrupted glass panel for maximum light and visibility, while partial-view doors combine a solid bottom panel with glass on top, offering added privacy and durability in high-traffic areas.

For ventilation, consider models with retractable screens built into the frame. These allow you to slide the glass up or down to reveal a screen, making it easy to switch between insulation and airflow without storing extra panels. Some storm doors require seasonal swaps between glass and screen panels, which may offer larger openings for ventilation. Look for tempered glass for added strength; most storm doors have it. 

Frame materials
Most storm doors on the market have aluminum or steel frames. Aluminum is lighter and rust-resistant, making aluminum-frame doors good for areas with high humidity and rain. Steel frames are often heavier but more durable against impacts and high wind. For added strength, look for frames with reinforced corners and heavy-duty construction, which our testers have found will improve a door’s stability and longevity. 

Construction and durability
A well-built storm door should have reinforced joints and heavy-duty hinges that can withstand frequent use without loosening over time. Look for adjustable thresholds and bottom sweeps, which help maintain a tight seal against drafts and moisture when materials expand and contract with temperature changes.

Hinge and handle orientation
Before buying a storm door, confirm the hinge and handle orientation to ensure compatibility with your entry door. Most storm doors aren’t reversible, so you’ll need to know which side the handle should be on and in which direction the door should swing. Check the product details carefully. Some models offer both left- and right-hand options, while others are fixed. 

Ease of installation
Storm doors can be a DIY project if you’re comfortable with tools and precise measurements. Look for models with drilled holes and included hardware to simplify the process, as well as adjustable thresholds or bottom sweeps for a better fit on uneven entryways. If your entryway isn’t perfectly square or requires complex adjustments, hiring a contractor may save you some frustration and ensure a better fit.

Cost
Storm doors range from about $150 for basic models to $500 or more for high-end options with retractable screens, low-emissivity (low-E) glass, or multipoint locking systems. Aluminum frames are typically on the lower end, while steel options are generally more expensive but provide greater durability and insulation.