Steel doors are a staple of most modern homes. Here’s how to use them to make the most possible impact on your design.
Steel front doors and entry doors are classic, timeless, and have limitless aesthetic appeal. Many homeowners have made the upgrade, empowered by the versatile designs and custom options that many steel doors have to offer.
Considering an upgrade? Clark Hall’s design specialists support homeowners through the entire process; from the first sketches of custom door design options to your door’s final installation
Our experts have put together this helpful guide of the best doors of 2024 — showing you the exact changes you can consider for a more powerful and poignant design for your space. Read on to learn more.
Benefits of Steel Doors
Homeowners often aren’t aware of the range of benefits that steel doors have to offer, beyond their aesthetic appeal. Here are some of the top little-known benefits that you can expect from your upgrade:
Enhanced Home Security
Steel doors offer a level of security and durability that isn’t often seen with other door types. They’re one of the strongest metals available, deterring intruders and natural risks alike. For example, many steel doors are heat resistant (and can be fire-rated), offering you extra peace of mind as you work to protect your space. Steel doors and steel frames are also an ideal option if you live in places where earthquakes occur, as they are both lightweight and incredibly strong.
Increases Energy Efficiency
Steel doors are incredibly energy efficient. Many experts believe that they can outpace fiberglass and wood options for entry doors. The question on many homeowners’ minds is: How?
The key to cutting energy costs with your steel door lies in its construction. Your average steel door is two slabs of steel that are filled with core material, buffering any heat or cold loss as the seasons change. This benefit alone makes steel doors a popular choice among home owners who live in more extreme climates.
Requires Nearly No Maintenance
Steel doors are low maintenance, unlike doors that use other materials (like wood). Solid steel masks wear and tear easily, holding up well even with heavy use.
Most homeowners typically clean their steel door just once or twice per year. If you live in more humid conditions, however, you might consider a more rigorous cleaning schedule. If you have questions about your cleaning schedule, it’s best to reach out to your vendor or the manufacturers of the door as they may be able to give you tailored advice based on your door type.
Offers Limitless Customization Options
Steel doors offer limitless customization options across style, color, and hardware. For example, solid steel doors can be offset or framed by glass sidelights and transoms for a secondary source of natural light. You can also reach out to your design expert to ask about available custom frame options if your home is currently being built.
Key Considerations When Buying Steel Doors
Ready to make a change? Here are a few things to consider before you purchase your steel door:
Quality of Steel
The quality of your steel matters, whether you’re looking at a single door, double steel doors, or any other type of variation. Clark Hall uses 14-gauge steel door panels, which are widely regarded as one of the best types of steel to use for doors. This gauge of steel creates a strong outer shell for your exterior door, and is commonly found in steel doors used in commercial buildings. It’s a good option for those who live in areas with extreme weather conditions or strong winds, as it lends strength to both the door and the door frame.
Door Core
The two most common door cores for steel doors are polystyrene and polyurethane. While both provide soundproofing and energy efficiency benefits, polyurethane door cores are best for those in wetter climates.
Polystyrene doors tend to have air pockets and gaps between the two steel slabs, which can allow for moisture buildup over time if the door skin (or slabs) were to be compromised. Many favor polyurethane cores for this reason.
Finishing Options
Finishing options for your door are unique to your preference, and boosts the curb appeal of your home effortlessly. You can opt for a burst of color, or a neutral hue. Clark Hall offers several custom colors to choose from, including Burnt Copper, Cinnamon, Slate, and more.
Costs
Cost is a key factor in your choice of steel doors, as you’ll want something both high-quality and cost-effective. Clark Hall custom doors range in price depending on the location, size, and the level of customization that you choose in your design. Your Clark Hall design specialist can discuss pricing options with you, exploring options that suit your style and budgetary needs.
Top 4 Steel Doors Styles for Your Home
Any steel door can be a great option and addition to your home’s design. The safety and noise control benefits are invaluable, providing homeowners with an immediately noticeable difference.
If you’re looking for inspiration, we recommend starting with the top four steel door styles available on the market, tailoring them to your specific design preferences. For example, many homeowners opt to transform their door styles with modern, traditional, or ornate themes.
The top four steel door design options include:
Single Iron Doors
Single iron doors are long-lasting doors that offer uncompromised strength with versatility that supports a range of design styles. Homeowners using this type of iron door for their entryway often break it up with custom-inserted glass or transoms for additional natural light.
Double Iron Doors
Double iron doors are one of the best steel doors for homes, offering a touch of modernity and a wider entry point to your home. Like single iron doors, double iron doors can be accentuated with textured glass windows, custom hardware, or ornate wrought iron scrollwork.
French Iron Doors
French iron doors are meant to be a focal point of your living space. They seamlessly connect the exterior to the interior, giving you near limitless views of your space. Many homeowners who live in small- and mid-size homes enjoy the spacious illusion that these types of doors create; but they are suitable for all types and sizes of living spaces.
Pivot Iron Doors
Pivot doors are a fantastic statement piece, functioning a bit differently than your average door. These doors swing on a pivot hinge, with both planes of the door extending inside and outside when the door is used. As a result, they effortlessly open your space and extend your entryway, which is ideal for homeowners looking to offer more vertical or horizontal space.
Why Choose Clark Hall?
Clark Hall is the leading provider of custom steel entry doors. From the first call to Clark Hall, our in-house designers work with you through every phase of the design and execution process, offering white-glove experience and industry-expert support as you work to perfect your space.
After you design your door with our specialists, you’ll be able to finalize your hardware, finishes, silhouettes and windows on a completely custom basis. Once you’ve finalized your design, our in-house install team will arrive to bring your vision to life. After installation, you can enjoy your upgrade for years to come — as well as the peace of mind that you’re covered by one of the best warranties in the industry.
Considering designing your own? Clark Hall’s experts are here for you. We understand just how much value your custom iron doors can bring to your property, and are here to support you through every stage of the design and execution. Connect with us today to work with an expert and start your home improvement process. It’s our pleasure to serve you.
Frequently Asked Questions
Which grade of steel is best for a door?
There are many different “levels” or classes of steel doors. Many homeowners believe that Level 2 or Level 3 doors, which are considered “heavy duty” and “extra heavy duty,” are the best options for the home. Level 1 (or standard duty) doors are a strong choice for doors in the interior space, as they generally won’t be exposed to the same wear and tear that they might otherwise be in outdoor-facing arrangements.
Feel like you need something more? You might also consider Level 4 (maximum duty) doors if you live in an area with more severe climates. What are the potential disadvantages of a steel door?
What is the best exterior door for a house?
Steel doors are generally the best exterior door option for most, offering energy-saving benefits and a weather-resistant option that suits most climates.
