Wrought Iron Front Doors – One of Your Best Options

Your front door must be tough enough to withstand wind, rain, harsh sun, and would-be intruders, yet beautiful enough to make a good first impression.  Meeting those needs can be a tall order for many front doors.  This article discusses a number of options including wooden, fiberglass, aluminum and wrought iron font doors.
Most older doors are made of wood or wood veneer, both of which warp.  After years of exposure, they also tend to crack, and delaminate.  Metal doors also don’t last forever, as the surface on some older steel doors can peel. 
Whether your front door is in disrepair or you just want to replace a solid door for one with glass panels that offer more light, there are plenty of options available. There are now wooden doors on the market that resist the elements better than earlier versions, as well as metal and fiberglass ones that look like wood but provide greater security at a lower price.  The frontrunner, however, appears to be wrought iron front doors.
Perhaps the most important decision is what your door is constructed of. Most options combine several materials; for example, many fiberglass and steel doors have wooden frames. But it’s the surface material that most affects appearance, durability, security, and price. 
Wooden front doors, in the past, have been the most common. Versatility and beauty are their strong suit. Natural-finish stock and custom wood doors come in oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple, fir, and pine. You’ll also find paint-grade doors in several softwood varieties, such as pine and western hemlock. 
A steel front door is another choice if security and durability are top priorities. Steel units are stronger than wood or fiberglass doors, and they won’t crack or warp. Any dents or dings on these doors can be pulled and puttied with an auto-body repair kit. Premium versions get a vinyl coating similar to the one on vinyl-clad windows for greater weather resistance. Some even have a stainable wood-fiber coating or, on really high-end versions, a laminated-wood veneer. 
Fiberglass-composite front doors are tough and maintenance-free, and are a smart choice for harsh or humid climates. They mimic the look of wood with wood-grain texturing and can be stained to match oak, cherry, walnut, and a variety of other woods. 
Aluminum front doors have a baked-on enamel finish, so they never need painting and won’t rust – which explains the 20-year warranties that are common. You can also match the color and style of your door with an aluminum storm door. 
Wrought iron front doors have quietly been gaining in popularity for years.  Alone or integrated into your existing alarm system, they provide unmatched, comprehensive security.  They are built to last a lifetime, won’t rust or corrode and require virtually no maintenance.  Added to that are the multitude of customization options, making a wrought iron front door the choice of the majority of homeowners today.
Picking the right front door will pay off in smoother operation, less maintenance, added energy savings and an unmatched curb appeal for your home. The material choice is yours:  wooden, steel, aluminum, or wrought iron front doors; make the right choice and you’ll have an elegant entry that makes a great first impression for years to come.