Open & shut: fiberglass units are making a dent in the steel door market - Windows & Doors

Building Products, Jan-Feb, 2004 by Stephanie Herzfeld

Fiberglass doors have been around for more than 20 years, but they only account for 10 percent of entry door sales. But industry officials believe that new fiberglass looks and designs will help the category make a bigger dent in the steel door business.

One product, known as smooth-skin fiberglass, is gaining ground because it not only has the benefits of fiberglass, but it also can be painted like steel and is lower priced than wood-look fiberglass units.

Fiberglass proponent Mike Rosati of Rosati Windows and Doors in Columbus, Ohio, thinks smooth-skin doors eventually will edge out their steel competition because they don't dent like metal.

John Kufner, marketing manager for residential entry door systems for Therma-Tru, which pioneered the smooth-skin technology, claims that pros like Rosati are converting from steel to the firm's Smooth-Star fiberglass door because a six-panel smooth fiberglass model costs just $200 to $250 (uninstalled). Steel doors cost about $100 for a basic six-panel unit to more than $200 with glass options.

"Though the price of [smoothskin] fiberglass is slightly higher, homeowners are starting to realize the long-term value when they look at the long-term maintenance of other materials," Kufner says. Manufacturers claim that all fiberglass doors don't rot, split, crack, or dent.

As for wood-look units, Cincinnati builder Jim Dunn of Steller Homes is a fan of ThermaTru's new Classic-Craft Mahogany line, which is the first of its kin&

Although Dunn has built homes in communities that mandate genuine mahogany doors, the builder appreciates the fiberglass version.

"It has a phenomenal look. It's very realistic, very heavy" he comments.

And the Mahogany model costs less than its wood counterpart. An 8-foot-tall genuine mahogany door costs $5,000 to $6,000, but a manufactured one is $4,000 to $5,000, depending on its decorative glass options.

ELEGANT ENTRYWAYS

Whether you install smooth or wood-grain models, fiberglass doors are available with a host of decorative glass packages with unique designs.

In fact, many manufacturers offer a variety of glass options as well as coordinating window and patio door options to set their products apart.

"We focus on the entire entry system. The flame, panels, sidelights, and transoms are all designed to go together," notes Chris Brown, national sales and brand manager for Peachtree.

While traditional looks are found nationwide, regional preferences, like Mission- and plank-style doors, are showing up in the Southwest. Kufner notes that his firm's rustic line is particularly sought after in Arizona and California.

FAST FORWARD

Enthusiasts predict that fiberglass will make a big dent in the steel market as lower-priced smooth-skin fiberglass doors gain ground. Fiberglass units also will take away more business from wood as fiberglass manufacturers introduce new species looks and patterns.

"The challenge is to keep working on creating real-looking doors because the simulation of natural-looking doors is the issue," says Dunn.

Pella. Carbonite fiberglass doors come ready to paint or stain; some styles are available in an oak- or walnut-grain finish. The entry doors are available with numerous decorative glass options. including matching sidelights and transoms, and a choice of polished brass, antique brass, antique nickel, or chrome hinges. Steel entry doors also are available. 888-847-3552. www.pella.com. Circle 245.

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Plastpro. These fiberglass doors come in standard sizes in both smooth and wood-grain styles. Wood-grain styles are available in Salem maple, honey oak, charcoal, walnut, medium oak, country white, cherry, dark mahogany, and Spanish oak finishes. Smooth skin doors come ready to paint. Nine decorative glass collections are optional. 800-779-0561. www.distinctiondoors.com. Circle 247.

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IWP, Old World fiberglass composite entry doors in the Aurora collection feature an impermeable mahogany-grain skin over a dense PolyMicro core. Several styles are available in six UV-protective stain finishes and five paint surfaces. All Aurora doors are available prehung with solid hardwood jambs, moldings, weather stripping, concealed-bearing hinges, and a choice or three sill types. 800-468-3667. www.iwpdoor.com Circle 246.

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Masonite. The Barrington and Belleville fiberglass doors resist warping, cracking, splitting, shrinking, and swelling, says the maker. Barrington doors feature wood grain textures while Belleville doors come in smooth or textured wood-grain styles. Both have high-definition molding and are available with numerous decorative glass options. 800-895-2723. www.masonite.com Circle 249.

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Peachtree. Bouquet and Mission are the two newest glass patterns for entry doors. Featuring more than 100 glass pieces with curved and rectangular beveling, the Bouquet design is the most intricate the firm offers. The Mission-style pattern features clear and v-groove beveling with zinc or patina caming. All glass designs are sealed between two pieces of insulating glass. 800-732-2499. www.peachtreedoorcom. Circle 251.