Differences in Door Materials

You may think all doors are the same but the truth is there are different types of doors and they all serve different purposes.  In this article, we’ll look at some of the door materials you can find as well as their pro and cons. 

1.    Hollow Metal Doors

These are very durable and are great for exterior and interior door applications. They are made from cold rolled steel and can take a good amount of abuse. Hollow metal doors are usually recommended for stock room doors where you’ll be continuously moving product in and out of the room and the chances of bumping the stock carts into the doors are high.

They are also generally unaffected by weather which makes them ideal for exterior door use. However, you need to make sure that they havea good coat of paint to prevent the doors from rusting. 

There are very few downsides to hollow metal doors. One of which is the fact that they will eventually rust. Another is that thanks to how they are constructed, the lack of insulation usually allows heat and cold to escape.

2.    Stainless Steel

Stainless steel doors are also great for both interior and exterior use. They have an advantage on hollow metal doors when it comes to durability and their resistance to chemical and weather. Since stainless steel has a natural corrosion resistance, it makes them perfect for chemical or high salt applications. Stainless steel doors are also rust resistant and they can be disinfected without you having to worry about affecting the finish. This is why stainless steel doors are usually used in restaurants. 

They are typically limited in design and aren’t well insulated. They also cost more than hollow metal doors.

3.    Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are often used as exterior doors. Unlike stainless steel and hollow metal doors, fiberglass doors have several design options to choose from. There are even fiberglass doors that look just like wood. Fiberglass doors can also withstand harsh environments and chemicals same as any stainless steel door. And as an added bonus, they cost less than stainless steel doors.

Although they are durable, they are not quite as durable as stainless steel doors. In addition, trying to disinfect the door can cause a lot of damage to the finish.

4.    Wood

Wooden doors are primarily meant for interior use. Not only do wood doors seem to have an endless option of design and finish, they are also some of the most exquisite doors you can find on the market. You can go with basic flat doors, or perhaps something as ornate as panel doors complete with detailed carvings. Because of the inherent nature of wood, wooden doors are great as they don’t conduct heat or cold and they dampen sound. They are also pretty affordable as long as you don’t plan to order some exotic wood species or lavish designs. 

Although the inherent properties of wood do offer a lot of benefits, it also comes with its downsides. Rapid changes in climate can cause the wood to spoil and wrap. You should also avoid getting them wet (which is why they aren’t used for exterior applications).