Wood doors are classically elegant and always a popular choice for homeowners. Whether used for entry doors, patio doors, interior doors or any other type of door, wood always looks good. This material does have some limitations, however. Before buying wood replacement doors, homeowners should consider their advantages and disadvantages.

Advantages and Disadvantages of Wood Doors

Among the advantages of wood doors are:

• Aesthetics: Natural wood doors have a classic look and feel that's hard to replicate. Wood entry doors have a welcoming effect.
• Security: The heaviness of wood doors makes them harder to break through.

Wood doors also have some disadvantages, including:

• Cost: Solid wood doors tend to be among the most expensive available.
• Vulnerability to weather: Wood shrinks and expands with temperature fluctuations, which can affect the functioning of the doors. The elements can also damage wood more quickly than other materials.
• Maintenance: Maintenance painting and staining is often required to keep wood doors looking good.

Engineered wood doors can be manufactured to address some of these disadvantages, and panel construction helps to counteract fluctuations due to temperature and humidity. Besides wood, residential doors primarily come in fiberglass, vinyl and aluminum. Steel doors are also available, but less common for residential uses.

Anyone in the Vacaville area looking for replacement entry or patio doors should consider Brothers Home Improvement Inc. Windows and Doors. This company handles all levels of door replacement from beginning to end. Serving both Northern and Southern California and Northern Nevada, Brothers Home Improvement can be reach by calling 800 672-3777.