Carbon, fiberglass surpass wood door

Dear Jim: I love the appearance of a stained real wood door, but I hate the maintenance. My old door front door is warped and weathered. What options do I have to get the same real wood look without maintenance? – Cari W.

Dear Cari: Your best choices are stainable fiberglass or carbon doors. These doors have deep, natural-looking graining that is difficult to distinguish from real wood. I have stained (dark oak) double carbon doors on the front of my house and a single fiberglass door on the back.

Another option is a stainable insulated steel door. Stainable steel doors have many efficiency, durability and security advantages, but they don’t quite match the authentic wood look of fiberglass or carbon doors which you probably desire. Many fiberglass and carbon doors have a 25-year warranty, some even longer.

All stainable fiberglass and carbon doors have a foam core which gives them an insulation value about six times that of solid wood. They also don’t shrink and grow with changes in the seasons (humidity levels) as wood does, so they maintain their airtight seals and just-finished appearance longer.

Carbon doors are very similar to fiberglass except that carbon fibers are used in the plastic resin instead of glass fibers. The carbon fibers used are supposed to have a lower coefficient of expansion with temperature changes than the glass fibers do. This minimizes occasional bowing when the sun shines directly on the door.

The prices of both carbon and fiberglass doors are similar and in the range of a medium-quality steel door. The final cost can vary significantly if you select some fancy decorative glass. Some are sold only through professional installers and others can be purchased at home center stores. The manufacturers offer complete staining kits for the do-it-yourselfer.

Adding decorative glass can certainly enhance the appearance of a door without sacrificing security or efficiency. The typical options are leaded, frosted, beveled and etched. I have a combination of etched and beveled oval glass panels in my front door and just clear low-e glass in the back.

Almost all the decorative glass panels are sandwiched between clear indoor and outdoor panes. This creates two insulating air gaps and greater insulation. It is also difficult to break through. For added security, order extra-secure glass that includes a lifetime no-break warranty.

Some features to look for are an adjustable threshold seal and foam-filled weatherstripping. A large, reinforced lock block (hidden inside the door) enhances security as does a multipoint locking system. An extra hinged sidelite is an advantage for more light and when you move large furniture in and out.

Write for (instantly download – www.dulley.com) Update Bulletin No. 955 – buyer’s guide of nine stainable carbon and fiberglass door manufacturers listing styles, insulation, decorative glass options, design-efficiency features and finishing instructions. Include $3 and a business-size SASE, and send to James Dulley, 6906 Royalgreen Drive, Cincinnati, Ohio 45244.