Exterior Door - Which Mat

I plan to occupythis unit for a couple years then convert it back to a rental. So I'd like aomething that is durable (due to likely tennant abuse. But since I'm planning to live there, id like something that is reasonably energy efficient.

They did put on a storm door so it is protected to some degree. --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 9:19 AM
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If you're doing some of your own repairs, why not just construct a door from 2x6's to fit. It's solid, cheap, and likely as good as what you could buy for $125+.

If not, I'd look at Habitat Restore for a used one and make it fit but that will cost maybe $30-50 plus going there, making it fit, etc. Probably no less expensive in the long run. --23.121.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 9:47 AM
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I always thought wood doors were much less energy efficient that the others. If that's the case any savings would likely be wasted on heating/cooling costs.

If that's NOT the case and I'm mistaken, then I,could DEFINITELY see building a new door myself. --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Richard [MI]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:02 AM
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You could likely get the r-factor specs from the door manufacturer and straight wood specs from an insulation company or on the net.

If it's not a finished basement and just used for storage, you could build a second interior door from 1x2's and add either a layer of visqueen/plastic to create an air gap or a sheet of rigid foam insulation on it and have it removeable.

Or just attach rigid foam insulation to the inside of the door.

Of course, if it's a finished basement area, that would look bad so probably not practical. --23.121.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don I [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:04 AM
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Finished basement -- it's actually one of the three bedrooms. While *I* live there, it won't be used as a BR though. --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by LindaJ [NY]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:23 AM
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I would just buy an exterior metal door from Lowes. If you are looking for extra light, get glass in the top half. Many look like a multipane window. --108.4.xxx.xx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don I [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:46 AM
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Not looking for a lite in the door and honestly don't care if it has panels or not. Mainly interested in having something that will stand up to tenant abuse and is energy efficient. --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don I [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:48 AM
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If the door did have a lite, I'd be fine with that too. This rental is in a working class neighborhood (clean & safe just not "upscale"). --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don I [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 10:52 AM
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I just found the following on the Dept of Energy website.

"The R-values of most steel and fiberglass-clad entry doors range from R-5 to R-6, excluding a window. For example, a 1-1/2 inch (3.81 cm) thick door without a window offers more than five times the insulating value of a solid wood door of the same size."

So the only left is to decide on steel or fiberglass. Is one,more,dursble than the other? --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Barb [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 11:06 AM
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Steel is more durable. If it is dented, you can add Bondo and sand it down.

--64.251.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 11:13 AM
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Steel dents, rusts, and expands/ contracts more than fiberglass. Because this is a basement, the rusting might be an issue if there’s a lot of salt on the stairs.

I use fiberglass now. Used to think steel felt more secure, but, most door security is the hardware. Longer screws, both in deadbolt and hinges, so the screw finds the studs, not just the jamb. (So, on a prehung, you’ll pop a screw out of each hinge, run a longer one in there, both pieces of hinge. On deadbolt, install female end with long screws. Make sure deadbolt goes in properly. Use lipstick on end of deadbolt if you feel its not extending all the way out. Lipstick shows where the deadbolt is hitting, so you can chisel/ Dremel that out

Rustoleum Hammered Metal Finish paint was recommended by a local successful landlord (Cimba), as it doesn’t show dings so much. The hammered finish kind of disguises imperfections. I haven’t used it on doors yet, cuz I’m such a girl. Got to have pretty colors! Now, if they would make it in peacock blue.... --70.92.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 11:18 AM
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Oops, Barb, we were posting same time. I wasn’t trying to argue. Good point about the Bondo. Steel definitely gives off a more ‘solid’ feel. I have some of both, and will admit, I don’t think there’s a big difference.

If I see a door at a great price, and it fits where I need a new door.... --70.92.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Don [MO]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 11:20 AM
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No stairs (outside). It's a walkout basement leading to the driveway (driveway leads around to the back of the house. There is a wall between this BR & the garage. From the outside, you see the garage door about 13 feet from the door in question with a window between them. The window is it in nit worried about having a lite in the door.

It's all flat back there. --174.234.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Steve [MA]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 1:47 PM
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I would go with either a 6 panel or a slab made from fiberglass with a rot resistant jamb. I prefer to get them with double bore & no exterior casings. --96.237.xx.xx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 2:20 PM
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I have had a few steel ones rust if not under a overhang.

Agree best is a fiberglass with a no-rot frame. If not covered we get the full composite frame. From a local door supplier.

No rot is usually composite for just the first 6" or so from the bottom. --73.152.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Roy [AL]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 3:13 PM
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I just removed a 36 inch solid wood door from one of my rentals and replaced it with a pre-hung steel door bought at Lowes. You can have my solid wood door if you want it. Just come get it,..it weighs a ton! --68.63.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Hoosier [IN]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 5:11 PM
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I agree with Linda, steel exterior. Those who say they rust are either not painting them, or using a low quality paint. Paint the exterior and you'll be fine. --99.92.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by 6x6 [TN]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 5:16 PM
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Wood is a good insulator,I forget the rating. With glass in it you may loose heat but that is with any door. If you build the door yourself use mahogany. The door will be tough and rot resistant and last forever.The R-value for wood ranges between 1.41 per inch (2.54 cm) for most softwoods and 0.71 for most hardwoods. Just got that off internet. --73.120.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by RR78 [VA]) Posted on: Jan 15, 2019 6:25 PM
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With steel the few have been. The door gets scratched. Water trapped at the weatherstripping. Even with a good quality paint. Rare but does happen if not a stormdoor or overhand. --73.152.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Busy [WI]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2019 7:20 AM
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With steel the few have been.

So true. --70.92.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by NE [PA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2019 7:34 AM
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Off-the-shelf exterior doors at Home Depot or Lowes are code for energy efficiency. I'd just get one of those. --174.201.xx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by CX [WA]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2019 12:05 PM
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Fiberglass. You mentioned you wanted the best material to hold up to tenant abuse. Yes the dents in a steel door (actually the steel is just a thin steel wrapping over a wood composite internal frame) can be filled w/ automotive bondo but that is really an art form to get it to look good in the end, after finish paint.

A good quality fiberglass door is less likely to look as bad after subjected to common tenant abusive treatment methods. --174.21.xxx.xxx

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Small potatoes [NY]) Posted on: Jan 16, 2019 8:28 PM
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Fiberglass w rot resistant components. 86 the storm door, I find those so annoying and they don't stand up to tenants. Check your code to see if a solid door has to have a peephole. --66.87.xxx.x

Exterior Door - Which Mat (by Ray-N-Pa [PA]) Posted on: Jan 19, 2019 10:19 AM
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There is no truly right answer.

It might be worth a walk down the mill work isle at the nearest box store so you get some ideas. Pintrest might also help you out --72.23.xxx.xx

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Exterior Door - Which Mat

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