Iron vs. Steel Entry Doors: Which Is More Durable?
When choosing a new entry door, durability should be a top priority. After all, your front entry door does more than just welcome guests; it safeguards your home, protects your household, and endures daily wear and tear. You need high-performance entry doors that offer dependable security and stand up to the elements. As the main point of access to your home, your entry door must deliver lasting strength and consistent performance over time.
Wrought Iron vs. Steel
When looking for durable entry doors for your home, you’ll likely come across two key options that are known for their superior durability: wrought iron doors and steel entry doors. Both options will offer enhanced durability and performance. However, you may be wondering which option is more durable. Here’s what you need to know about the durability of iron entry doors versus steel entry doors.
Iron and Steel Are Both Built for Strength
First, it helps to understand the composition of wrought iron and steel doors. Both wrought iron and steel are metals known for their durability and use in construction. Steel is an alloy made from iron and carbon, generally considered stronger than pure iron. Wrought iron is an iron alloy with a very low carbon content, making it both malleable and durable.
These similarities result in strong, secure doors, but their performance and appearance differ slightly. Steel may offer higher raw strength, but other construction factors also influence long-term durability.
Wrought Iron Doors vs. Steel Doors: Construction Considerations
To fully understand durability, you need to examine how each door is constructed.
- Steel doors typically feature a thin outer shell, usually 20- to 24-gauge steel, with a foam core for insulation. While strong, the thin metal can be more vulnerable to dents or tampering.
- Wrought iron doors often feature solid metal elements like decorative scrollwork. At EntryPoint Doors & Windows, for example, our wrought iron doors include 0.625-inch-thick solid iron scrollwork, offering a level of security and resistance to force that thinner steel can’t match.
This added thickness makes wrought iron doors more secure and long-lasting in many scenarios.
Longevity of Wrought Iron Entry Doors vs. Steel Entry Doors
Another aspect of durability is the lifespan of each door type. With proper care and quality manufacturing, both wrought iron and steel entry doors can last 30 years or more. However, they differ in the following:
- Steel doors require protective coatings and may need maintenance to prevent rust or damage from dents.
- Wrought iron doors, while generally more weather-resistant, benefit from regular touch-ups and cleaning to preserve their finish.
Craftsmanship, materials, and maintenance all influence how well either door type performs over the decades.
Choosing the Right Doors for Your Property
If durability is your top priority, both wrought iron entry doors and steel entry doors are great options to consider. You’ll want to consider other factors as well to determine which option is best for you. For instance, wrought iron entry doors offer a higher level of customization and can suit various home styles, while steel doors come in more limited styles and profiles.
Ready To Get Started?
To learn more about the differences between iron and steel entry doors for your home, contact EntryPoint Doors & Windows today. Our team can answer all your questions and get you started with a consultation.