Choosing a new patio door is a big decision. There are so many different materials, styles, and options to choose from. It’s also essential that your new doors have the durability, energy efficiency, and personalization that you’re looking for.
All of these factors depend on what material you choose for your door. Two material choices that have been rising in popularity are vinyl and fiberglass. But which is better?
Let’s discuss the benefits of each, their differences, and which material is ultimately better for top-tier patio doors.
Table of Contents
Fiberglass Patio Door Material
Fiberglass is plastic that utilizes glass fiber to reinforce it and increase its strength. It is lightweight and extremely sturdy. It is also known for their longevity and durability, making them an excellent choice in areas that are prone to severe weather conditions.
With this added strength and durability, the cost is higher due to the elevated overall performance of the fiberglass material. Infinity from Marvin has a proprietary product called Ultrex Fiberglass built to out perform other fiberglass windows and doors.
Vinyl Patio Door Material
Vinyl doors are made of resin polyvinyl chloride. It makes them high quality, but also cheaper than fiberglass doors. With this lower price tag, there is not as much strength and durability as fiberglass doors, but they are stronger than wooden doors. They are low maintenance but can be incredibly difficult to repair when they get damaged.
These doors are best for areas with cold weather, as they may fade when exposed to too much sunlight.
Benefits of Vinyl & Fiberglass Patio Doors
Efficiency
Both vinyl and fiberglass patio doors offer an airtight seal against heat transfer and thermal intrusion. However, the airtight seal may vary by manufacturer.
Aesthetic
Both fiberglass and vinyl patio doors are highly customizable and can be created in a number of colors and unique styles.
Durability
Vinyl and fiberglass patio doors won’t rot or support the growth of mold like wooden doors do. They are also very difficult to dent.
Easy Maintenance
The only maintenance that fiberglass and vinyl patio doors require is an occasional dusting and wipe-down.
What Are the Differences Between Vinyl and Fiberglass Doors?
Appearance
While both doors have an impressive level of customization, fiberglass patio doors offer more personalization. Vinyl frames are thick and come in a more limited number of colors, which reduces your design options for them.
Fiberglass doors come in a wider variety of styles and colors, and can even imitate the aesthetic of wooden doors without having to deal with all of the issues that wooden doors come with.
Energy Efficiency
Because fiberglass is stronger than other materials, it also provides better insulation. However, vinyl also offers protection against thermal intrusion and heat transfer to a lesser extent, as well.
Durability
Fiberglass patio doors are stronger than vinyl. In fact, Infinity from Marvin’s Ultrex fiberglass patio doors are 8X stronger than vinyl, with 87% less expansion than vinyl. This makes them easier to operate and gives them a longer life span of over 15-20 years. Vinyl doors have a substantially lower lifespan, so though they are cheaper, they may not be the better investment if you need to replace them more often.
Cost
Fiberglass is more expensive than vinyl and most other types of exterior doors, but they outlast vinyl, wooden, and steel doors.
Installation
Fiberglass patio doors may be tougher to install, depending on their size. Because of the strength of the material, it can be tough to trim unless they are non-standard door sizes and shapes.That is why you want a certified installer who has years of professional experience installing your fiberglass doors. All NEXT Door & Window installers are certified, ensuring a smooth installation experience.
Which is Better Between Vinyl and Fiberglass Patio Doors?
The best option for you will depend on your specific situation. However, in general, fiberglass patio doors are the better choice. They are stronger, more durable, have a longer life span, and offer better insulation than vinyl doors do.
While vinyl doors are an good, cost-effective option, they don’t compare in quality to fiberglass doors. The initial investment for a vinyl door is lower, but in the long term, fiberglass doors offer such a significantly longer lifespan that it makes the higher upfront cost worth it.
Fiberglass doors also offer higher levels of customization. They’re loved for the way that they can be personalized to your house and mimic the appearance of other materials without any of the problems that other materials present.
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Enhance Your Home With NEXT Door & Window
If you’re in Illinois or Wisconsin and looking to upgrade your patio doors, you’re in good hands with NEXT Door & Window. We pride ourselves on our high-quality products, as well as our five-star service. We offer each and every one of our customers a red-carpet experience that assigns you your own project manager. It’s a guarantee that you will be in the loop on the progress of your replacement or installation. We are also home to premier brands like Marvin and Infinity from Marvin.
At NEXT Door & Window, we are well-known for:
- Exceptional Service
- Top-Quality Products
- Experienced Technicians
- Custom Favory Paint And Stain Before Installation
- An A+ BBB Rating
Add style, comfort, and practicality to your patio. Upgrade your patio doors today.
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