Until just a few years ago,
choosing an entry door was
pretty simple: mid- and
lower-priced homes got
steel doors, while
high-end homes got
wood. Both steel
and wood are still popular, but they
now face some stiff competition from
fiberglass doors. A number of manufacturers
have recently introduced
composite doors with exterior-grade
hardboard skins, and several less
familiar options — including solid
MDF and vinyl — are also available.
In addition to new door materials,
door manufacturers have rolled out
new features to entice buyers, such as
operable sidelights and built-in electronics.
There’s also been a trend
toward an ever expanding range of
ornamental glazing options, including
frosted, stained, and cut glass. While
the door industry is too large to survey
completely here,