I admit it – wood doors are beautiful.  They are rich in color and design and look pretty impressive.  However, when you try to enter a facility that has wood doors, you are often greeted with a swollen or warped door that is hard to open.

Due to the inherent nature of wood, wood doors should only be used for interior door applications.  They don’t handle climate change or humidity well at all, leaving you with a lot of maintenance issues if installed on the exterior of a building.

If I have disappointed you with this news, allow me to provide you with two great alternatives to wood doors: fiberglass doors and CurriStain hollow metal doors.  These doors are designed for exterior applications, but have a similar look and feel to wood doors.

Alternatives to Wood Doors

Fiberglass Doors

Check out this door.  Does it look like a wood door?  Think again, my friend – it’s actually a fiberglass door.

Fiberglass doors have a couple of things in common with wood doors: they don’t conduct heat and cold and they have a lot of different design options.  They also have a few added bonuses: they can withstand chemicals and harsh environments very well and are incredibly durable.

You can order fiberglass doors made to look just like a wood door.  They can match the wood color you desire and can manufacture the door in a variety of designs.

CurriStain Hollow Metal Doors

What do you think about this door?  You’ve probably guessed by now that this one isn’t a wood door either, but it looks pretty darn similar.  This is actually a CurriStain hollow metal door stamped with a wood grain pattern and hand stained to look like a wood door.

Just like a fiberglass door, it isn’t plagued with the issues of a wood door.  It is very durable and can withstand a fair amount of abuse.

In comparison to fiberglass doors, CurriStain doors will conduct heat and cold and don’t hold up well in harsh chemical environments.  They also aren’t very scratch resistant; if you do get a scratch on the door it can be difficult to repair.  That being said, it is still a great option if you are want the look of a wood door without the issues that go along with them.