Wooden Doors vs. Iron Doors

If you’ve decided to upgrade your front door, you may be having a difficult time choosing between an iron front door and a wooden one. While both types of doors have their pros and cons, the pros of wrought iron doors give them a distinct advantage over their wooden brethren.

It’s a classic matchup that’s been fought through the ages: wooden doors vs. iron doors. The competition has always been fierce, and while wood doors may be more typical overall, iron doors offer benefits that may tip the scales in their favor. Before purchasing new doors for the home construction or remodeling, make sure to check out our tale of the tape below.

Durability of Iron Doors vs Wooden Doors

The benefits of an iron door over a wooden door aren’t limited to just energy efficiency. Wooden doors require frequent maintenance to maintain their allure. Wood tends to swell over time due to moisture, and it rots no matter how it’s treated. This means your wooden front door is going to need regular maintenance, making it more expensive in the long run.

On the other hand, luxury wrought iron doors require very little maintenance. Metal doesn’t rot, split, or swell like wood. Iron is also naturally resistant to rust, making it more durable in a variety of weather conditions. The most common maintenance issues with iron doors are scratches and dents. However, because iron is such a durable metal, these are rare and usually caused by severe impacts.

Wood Door Durability

Beyond all else, a door must be durable. If it’s not durable, then it’s not so much a door as it is a temporary slab of material on a hinge. Wood doors can be durable. The critical part of that sentence is the word “can.” Wood requires a high amount of care and maintenance to extend its lifetime. Specifically, these doors need to be sealed immediately upon installation. Otherwise, the wood will absorb moisture from the environment, which, given enough time, will incur warping and swelling. While Phoenix is known for its dry heat, that doesn’t mean there’s a complete absence of water in the air.

Also, the Phoenix area can have intense, albeit brief, storms that may bring waves of rain.

Additionally, wood doors need to be resealed every couple of years. As wood is a porous material, this is necessary to keep microorganisms and mold from penetrating the grain. They may also need to be repainted or re-stained too. As these doors are relatively heavy, they may eventually begin to sag, too, if the frame isn’t up to snuff.

Iron Door Durability

On the other hand, iron doors don’t typically fall prey to these types of durability issues. Iron isn’t porous and won’t absorb moisture from the air or environment. Because iron is a metal, there’s no chance of water warping the material or causing swelling. The main issue when it comes to durability is rust. Some iron doors rust, although that’s not typically the case with doors from Iron Doors Arizona. Our doors are built treated to be rust-free, meaning they can take a beating without fear of damaging the material. For maintenance, iron doors only need a quick cleaning now and then to stay looking brand new. There’s no need for re-sealing or re-painting.

Energy Efficiency of Iron vs Wood

Iron doors were designed with energy efficiency in mind, even back in 1200 BC when they were first used. Iron doors kept homes cool in the summer and warm in the winter, and they still have this advantage today. But now, iron doors are even more energy efficient because they are foam insulated to keep your home at your preferred temperature.

Wooden Door Efficiency

There’s no doubt that Phoenix is the land of air conditioning. When you turn on that holy thermostat, you don’t want to waste your money on the cold air that leaks out into the desert air. Wood doors are not known for their insulating properties. This can be compounded if the door is not properly maintained, as it will lose its proper fit within the door frame and allow air to escape. This is born out through data and research, too. A steel or fiberglass door without a window will provide five times as much insulation as a wood door the same size.

Iron Door Efficiency

If an iron door contains no other material or properties, it can also be a poor insulator. Iron acts as a conductor for heat, helping to transfer it from hotter spaces to cooler ones. However, the iron doors from Iron Doors Arizona are constructed with foam insulation. This means that our iron doors will act as superior insulators, keeping hot air outside during the summer and inside during the colder months.

Style and Appeal of Door Materials

While wooden doors can add curb appeal to your home, nothing says luxury like a wrought iron door. The hand-forged scrollwork and intricacies of their design have made them a symbol of wealth and status since their first use in ancient times. Even today, wrought iron doors give a home a status unmatched by its neighbors.

Wood Door Styles

They say that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so it’s hard to say objectively whether wood doors or iron doors offer more style. Wood doors are more typical, though. This makes it harder to stand out or add curb appeal when your front door looks like your neighbor’s, and their door looks like your other neighbor’s door. To be fair, some wood doors come with intricate artistry. They may have delicate carvings or unique panels or windows. However, even then, a wood door remains a wood door.

Iron Door Styles

However, there’s something about an iron door that speaks to the elegance and class of those living behind it. With additional design touches like glass paneling or custom finishes, you can turn the dial up to 11 when it comes to curbside appeal.

- Because of the customizability of iron doors, they can fit in with any style. If you want something hip and industrial-chic, you can find or design an iron door that fits your need. If you want something with more classical design notes, you can do that, too.

Iron vs Wood Doors for Security and Strength

Iron doors don’t just look pretty. Again, in ancient times, these doors were used to prevent intruders in the home and protect the occupants as well as the home’s contents. Today, iron doors are still the gold standard when it comes to security. They work with virtually any locking mechanism, and they make it very difficult for would-be thieves to enter your home. Have you tried to kick in a solid metal door?

Are Wood Doors Secure?

With a strong enough lock system, a wood door can act as a decent security measure. However, a wood door is more easily broken than an iron door, even if the door is made from solid construction. An ax or other tools could potentially damage the door or provide an entryway to ne’er-do-wells.

Even a strong storm can cause damage to a wood door. Debris carried by a strong wind could disfigure the door, letting in rain, sand, and other detritus.

Furthermore, wood is susceptible to fire. Even when treated with a retardant, these doors may make it easier for a fire to gain entry from outside your home. As fire spreads aren’t atypical in the Arizona area, this could mean your home’s interior is more severely damaged during a disaster.

Security Features of Iron Doors

Iron doors are incredibly difficult to damage or break down. An ax or ramming tool will have a tough time taking down this type of door. Think about it this way: There’s a reason that vaults and lockboxes are made from metal and not wood.

Fire, wind, and intense storms will be held at bay by an iron door. This means you’re less likely to experience additional damage inside your home during extreme weather or a natural disaster.

Get Your New Doors from Iron Doors Arizona

At Iron Doors Arizona, we care about your Phoenix- or Tucson-area home. That’s why our iron doors come in a variety of sizes, styles, and finishes. We use high-quality hardware so that your door does more than protect your home. It also adds style, class, and elegance.