Maria and Duncan from Newman Windows and Doors are back with episode three of Stay Glassy, and this time, they’re zeroing in on one of the most critical—and most overlooked—features of your home: the entry door.
Before you spend thousands of dollars on something that might crack, warp, or invite Big Bird (or worse) into your living room, read on.
As Duncan puts it, “Would you spend $5,000 on an entry door that will warp, crack, and screams high maintenance?” Exactly.
Your Entry Door Does More Than Say ‘Welcome’
Your front door is more than just a slab of material—it’s your home’s first impression, a critical piece of your curb appeal, and a major player in your home’s security and energy efficiency. “It’s the entrance to your castle,” Maria jokes, but the truth behind the humor is that your door has to hold up against weather, intruders, and time.
Unfortunately, many homeowners are still choosing entry doors based on aesthetics alone, unaware of the long-term costs. “What you don’t know can cost you,” Duncan warns. That gorgeous wooden door? It might secretly sabotage your energy bills, put your home at risk, and demand more upkeep than a vintage convertible.
Fiberglass vs. Wood: What You Really Need to Know
Let’s break it down.
Fiberglass doors have quietly taken over the market and for good reason. They’re three times more energy efficient than traditional wood and don’t crack, swell, warp, or get munched on by termites.
“People are tired of wood,” Duncan says. “It warps, it cracks, termites love to have their lunch on it, and it gets deteriorated by the weather.”
Fiberglass doors also win on customization.
With modern manufacturing, they can mimic virtually any wood grain, accept a variety of stains, or be painted in any color imaginable. Maria points out, “You can stain a multitude of different colors. You can have different grains. This one happens to be a vertical grain dug fir, but there are many to choose from.” In short, they’re beautiful and practical.
So what’s the downside? Price… sometimes.
Why Fiberglass Might Be Your Forever Door
Fiberglass can be more expensive upfront, though it often pays for itself in reduced maintenance and energy savings. That said, wood doors aren’t necessarily cheaper. In fact, high-quality wood doors can match or exceed the price of fiberglass, especially once you factor in maintenance.
Speaking of maintenance, the fine print on the wood door warranty is where things get alarming. “If it is not installed and finished, painted, or sealed within 24 hours, there’s no warranty,” Duncan reveals.
Let that sink in. You’ve barely taken the plastic wrap off, and the manufacturer has already washed its hands of responsibility.
Pre-Hung vs. Slab: Don’t Get Hung Up
Another decision point that trips up homeowners? Choosing between a pre-hung door and a slab door.
With fiberglass, there’s no contest: “If you’re going fiberglass, go pre-hung,” Duncan says. Pre-hung doors come with the frame and hinges already installed, ensuring a proper fit and easier installation.
While slab doors might sound like a money-saver, they don’t work with fiberglass due to the material’s rigidity. Wood can be planed or chiseled on-site, while fiberglass cannot. So, unless you’re a fan of home improvement headaches, pre-hung is the way to go.
Safety First: Because Even Big Bird Can Break In
Entry doors are about more than just looks and insulation. Security matters.
And cheap doors? They fold like a lawn chair. As Savvy shows in a video demonstration during the “Safety with Savvy” segment, an intruder can kick in a poorly made hollow-core door with shocking ease.
“Even Big Bird can kick it open,” Duncan jokes, but the implications are serious.
To avoid that kind of vulnerability, look for solid core doors, multi-point locking systems, and professional installation using long screws that anchor the doorframe into the studs. That way, your front door isn’t just a pretty face—it’s a reliable guard dog.
Final Thoughts: Set It and Forget It
Let’s be honest—we all love the charm of a hand-carved wood door, especially if you’re after that old-world, European vibe. But most homes simply don’t have the conditions to justify it.
As Duncan explains, “If you have a 12-foot overhang, no sun exposure, no moisture, and termites have been eradicated from your neighborhood—sure, go wood.” For everyone else, fiberglass is the smarter choice.
It’s stronger. It’s safer. It’s more energy efficient. And thanks to today’s design options, you don’t have to sacrifice looks to get performance. You can even go bold with a red door now and paint it black later. “Whatever color you want—Corvette,” Maria adds with a grin.
So the next time you find yourself swooning over a classic wood entry door, ask yourself: Is it worth the upkeep, the energy loss, and the risk? Or would you rather have a door that’s just as stylish and a whole lot smarter?
Your Turn: What’s Your Door Personality?
Are you Team Wood or Team Fiberglass? Stay tuned for the next Stay Glassy, where the team tackles the questions every homeowner should ask before hiring a home improvement salesperson. Until then, stay classy, and keep that front door fabulous.