Replaced our front door last fall on our 1958 Toronto detached. The original steel door was 22 years old, drafty, and starting to rust at the bottom. Full breakdown of the decision and what we paid.
The Problem
Old door: standard 6-panel steel pre-hung, installed 2002. Rust visibly bubbling on bottom two panels (salt from the front walk). Deadbolt was stiff and had been re-keyed twice. Draft clearly felt at the weatherstripping on windy days.
The Choice: Steel vs Fiberglass
After getting quotes, we focused on fibreglass. Our reasoning:
- Salt exposure from the front walkway rusted the steel door in 22 years - fiberglass won’t rust
- We wanted a wood grain look - fibreglass can be stained to look like wood
- Better insulation value for the same price point
What We Ordered
Therma-Tru Smooth-Star fibreglass, 36x80", with:
- Two half-glass sidelights (replacing existing configuration)
- Retro/craftsman style profile
- Stained in walnut tone
- Schlage B60N deadbolt + Schlage Accent handleset (both Grade 2)
Installed Cost
Door unit (door + frame + sidelights): $3,200
Installation (including frame tear-out, new stone moulding, new threshold): $1,100
Hardware (deadbolt + handleset): $280
Total: $4,580
Result
The door transformed the front elevation. The faux-wood stained fibreglass looks genuinely like wood from normal viewing distance. Zero draft. Deadbolt is smooth.
Neighbour asked who our contractor was within a week - that’s the best endorsement.
On Security
We upgraded to a 3-inch strike plate screw reinforcement when the installer put in the new frame. Standard installation uses 3/4-inch screws into the jamb only - completely inadequate for security. The installer reinforced into the stud behind. Worth specifying explicitly.