Best Exterior & Entry Doors for DIYers
An entry door sets curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency. The main choice is the material, fiberglass (durable, low-maintenance, wood-look), steel (secure, affordable), or wood (classic, premium), plus prehung versus slab.
What to look for
- ·Fiberglass resists dents, rot, and weather and mimics wood with low maintenance; steel is secure and affordable but can dent; wood is beautiful but needs upkeep.
- ·Prehung doors (in a frame) are easier to install plumb and seal well; slabs replace a door in a sound existing frame.
- ·Look at the energy rating, glass options, and a quality weatherstrip and threshold for a tight, efficient seal.
Quick comparison
| Product | Tier | Price | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| Therma-Tru Fiberglass Entry Door | Editor's pick | $400 to $1,500+ | Premium fiberglass entry |
| Pella Entry Door | Editor's pick | $500 to $2,000+ | Style and brand quality |
| Masonite Fiberglass Door | Editor's pick | $350 to $1,200 | Quality and availability |
| JELD-WEN Steel Entry Door | Best value | $200 to $500 | Value steel security |
| Steves & Sons Fiberglass | Best value | $250 to $700 | Value fiberglass options |
| Masonite Steel Prehung | Best value | $200 to $450 | Value steel prehung |
| Builder Steel Prehung Door | Budget pick | $150 to $300 | Budget secure entry |
| Store-Brand Fiberglass Door | Budget pick | $200 to $400 | Budget fiberglass |
| Basic Steel Entry Door | Budget pick | $120 to $250 | Lowest-cost entry |
Editor's pick
Therma-Tru Fiberglass Entry Door
$400 to $1,500+
A leading fiberglass entry-door brand with realistic woodgrain, durable insulated construction, and strong energy performance. The pick for a premium, low-maintenance entry.
Best for: Premium fiberglass entry
Typically available at Door dealers, Home Depot.
Pella Entry Door
$500 to $2,000+
Quality fiberglass and wood entry doors with good design and energy options from a trusted brand. The pick for style and brand backing.
Best for: Style and brand quality
Typically available at Lowe's, Door dealers.
Masonite Fiberglass Door
$350 to $1,200
Durable fiberglass entry doors from the biggest door maker, with realistic looks and insulated cores. The pick for quality and wide availability.
Best for: Quality and availability
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Best value
JELD-WEN Steel Entry Door
$200 to $500
A secure, insulated steel entry door at a value price, prehung and ready to install. A strong value for an affordable, efficient entry.
Best for: Value steel security
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Steves & Sons Fiberglass
$250 to $700
Quality fiberglass entry doors in many styles at competitive prices. A dependable mid-value pick with good availability.
Best for: Value fiberglass options
Typically available at Home Depot, Amazon.
Masonite Steel Prehung
$200 to $450
An affordable insulated steel prehung door for a secure, weathertight entry on a budget. A solid value for a basic, efficient entry door.
Best for: Value steel prehung
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Budget pick
Builder Steel Prehung Door
$150 to $300
A basic insulated steel prehung entry door for rentals and budget replacements. Secure and weathertight at a low cost, if plain in style.
Best for: Budget secure entry
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Store-Brand Fiberglass Door
$200 to $400
A budget fiberglass entry door for an affordable, low-maintenance upgrade. Basic styles, but the durability of fiberglass for less.
Best for: Budget fiberglass
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Basic Steel Entry Door
$120 to $250
The cheapest insulated steel entry door for sheds, side entries, and tight budgets. Plain and serviceable, the lowest cost for a secure exterior door.
Best for: Lowest-cost entry
Typically available at Home Depot, Lowe's.
Frequently asked
Fiberglass, steel, or wood entry door?+
Fiberglass is the popular pick: durable, low-maintenance, energy-efficient, and convincingly wood-look. Steel is secure and the most affordable but can dent and show wear. Wood is the most beautiful and customizable but costs more and needs regular maintenance against the weather. For most homes, fiberglass balances looks, durability, and cost best.
Prehung or slab exterior door?+
A prehung exterior door comes in a weatherstripped frame with the threshold and hinges, making it far easier to install plumb and seal against the weather, the usual choice for exterior replacements. A slab fits an existing frame in good shape but is harder to seal correctly. For exterior doors, prehung is generally recommended.
How much do exterior doors cost?+
Roughly: steel doors run a few hundred dollars, fiberglass mid-hundreds to over a thousand, and wood doors the most, before installation. Glass inserts, sidelights, and decorative options add cost. A quality installed entry door is a strong return for curb appeal and efficiency.
Are exterior doors energy efficient?+
Quality insulated fiberglass and steel doors have foam cores and good weatherstripping that seal far better than old wood doors, cutting drafts and energy loss. Look for an ENERGY STAR rating and proper installation with a tight threshold and weatherstrip for the best efficiency.
Can I install an exterior door myself?+
A prehung exterior door is a doable DIY but exacting: the frame must be plumb, level, and square, properly flashed and sealed against water, and shimmed and fastened correctly, or it leaks air and water. It is more demanding than an interior door; many homeowners hire it out for a weathertight result.