The Best Front Door Material If You Live In A Humid Climate

When it's time to update your home's front door, you may think about things like the color or how much glass you want in it. Yet, depending on where you live, you will also want to consider the material that it's made from a bit more carefully. The best front door materials for those who live in humid areas are fiberglass or composite.

One of the key factors in selecting a door type is how the material will interact with the environment. In a humid environment, there's more moisture in the air, which means that any type of porous material, like wood, is going to absorb that moisture. When this happens, it will cause the wood to expand, which could lead to problems opening and closing the door over time. A new front door can be expensive, averaging between $800 and $2,000 so, you don't want to have to replace it any time soon. 

In a humid climate, you'll need to focus on materials that will not absorb moisture and those that are less likely to rust. Most types of metal doors, while adding beauty to most spaces, will still have the risk of rusting. No one wants to have to sand down and paint these doors or use a protective sealant consistently. If you really cannot pass up that charming wrought iron door, there are some protective rust prevention sprays that can be added, but you'll need to maintain this at least once a year.

Similarly wood can be at risk of absorbing too much moisture. Not only that, as the temperature increases and the wood dries out, this will cause the material to shrink, leading to the risk of further warping and improper fitting. The only way around this is to select a door that's made out of hardwood. Options like cedar and redwood tend to be best because they're less likely to warp — redwood is particularly beneficial since it has a natural element that helps protect the wood from moisture penetrating into the surface — however, these options are also the most expensive.

When you're looking for the best front door material in a humid climate, focus on fiberglass and composite materials. Fiberglass doors are ideal because they tend to be mid-range in price and won't shrink, warp out of shape, or rust, resolving all the high-humidity risks. What's more, fiberglass can be made to look like other materials — including that natural wood you were longing to add to your home. Moreover, it's hard to beat the durability of fiberglass doors.

Composite material is similar to fiberglass in terms of durability and humidity resistance, but it's made up of various elements, which may include glass-reinforced plastic, foam, and uPVC. This combination creates a highly secure door. Glazing products can also be added to the door to create a natural wood look. This type of door won't suffer from fading in the sun like other materials, and they have a top-rated thermal performance, meaning they'll help keep moisture out of your home.