There is a wide selection of choices,types and materials these days for exterior doors. The materials most people are familiar with are steel and wood. Exterior door manufacturers are also now using alternative materials such as vinyl and fiberglass to create strong doors which do not require much maintenance. Some of the main advantages of a wood exterior door is the the beautiful look this strong door provides.
 
 There are several different species of wood used to make solid wood doors including walnut, cedar, oak, pine, and mahogany. A wood exterior door will require regular maintenance to help it stand up to the elements. While many manufacturers will treat their wood exterior doors with a preservative they will still require a protective coating to ensure that they perform well over time. Wood exterior doors will expand and contract over time in response to moisture and temperature changes.
 
 Often the overall performance of the door will depend on where it is installed. If you install a wood exterior door in a climate which is hot and moist it will need to have regular maintenance approximately once every year. Read about how to choose wood exterior doors. Steel is another material commonly used for exterior doors. These doors are most commonly produced with a wood frame filled with foam which is then covered with an outer layer of steel. You will get strength and rigidity from the wood frame while the foam core provides insulation. These type of door do not require much maintenance.
 
 The process for creating fiberglass exterior doors is very similar to that used for fiberglass doors with fiberglass being used for the outer skin. These doors provide excellent durability and energy efficiency. The outer skin of fiberglass can even be embossed to give the look of real wood. One of the newest materials used to make exterior doors is vinyl. These doors feature a several chambered vinyl structure with additional safety and strength being provided by aluminum, wood, or steel. These type of doors offer good energy efficiently and the ability to stand up under just about any weather condition.