What are the benefits of aluminum doors?
They Do Not Rot, Rust, or Warp Like Other Materials
When designing a home or an office, the assumed materials for a door are wood or maybe a bit of steel. We want to change the perception. Most people don't think about aluminum when considering a new door, but we want to change that. We think that of all the door materials, aluminum is one of the best. We think so highly of aluminum that we think every person should consider it for any sort of door. We have a lot of reasons to think this way about aluminum doors, and we have broken down a few of the best reasons to consider aluminum doors.
Other materials have so many flaws, and that is why we are so passionate about aluminum. Part of the reason we are so big on aluminum doors is the lack of flaws. There are doors that look amazing but don't age well. Wood doors are one of those doors. Wood doors will crack or swell and look awful after a few seasons of rain or spread of humidity. Aluminum is a better door material because it doesn't rust. Steel doors can and will rust. It is even more likely if you live near the ocean. The salty air can eat away at even the strongest doors.
An aluminum door has many advantages over a wooden door. It is naturally resistant to corrosion because it has a protective layer around it that does not allow it to rust. This means that a wooden door will swell and stick to the frame. There will be no rust streaks or stains over ruined door. It matters even more when you live in an area with high humidity or saltier air. An aluminum door not only won't rot but also can withstand breakage that other doors will not.
Let's be clear a wooden door can swell to the extent that it is nearly impossible to close. This is beyond frustrating. Thankfully, aluminum doors have no potential to do that. They retain their complete structural integrity, regardless of the weather or the passage of more years.
Appearance Meets High Function
The most easily recognizable and aesthetic quality of aluminum is its measurably superior strength compared to other materials that are best in the industry. Because of that, aluminum doors are able to be made wider and taller than average doors. They do not need ugly, bulky framing systems to hold the larger sliding or entry doors. They are both functional and of an unparalleled first quality appearance.
When you envision lovely contemporary houses in periodicals, consider the exterior and interior walls that are entirely glass and can open to the yard. Most of the time these are framed with aluminum. The slim profile that aluminum frames offer allows for larger glass panels, and for more light to stream into your house. You can achieve the all the rage clean, modern look, without compromising on strength or stability. Some aluminum framed glass doors can hold panels of glass that are hundreds of pounds while still looking modern and elegant.
Here is something interesting. An aluminum door with double sash construction can hold over a thousand kilos. Yes, that is a small car. So for the lightweight feel, don't think this door won't hold a serious weight.
Modern Designs That Actually Look Good
It's a simple fact that people generally dislike unattractive doors. Gone are the days of boring, industrial looking aluminum. Today's aluminum doors can be finished in all sorts of colors, including a sleek black modern farmhouse look, or a fake oak wood grain finish, or a bright red, or whatever you can imagine.
Some of the surface finishes are anodizing, powder coating, and wood grain transfer printing. Anodizing improves the already naturally occurring oxide layer on aluminum, forming a tougher and more corrosion resistant aluminum finish that looks metallic. Powder coating is a process that involves applying a layer of color that is subsequently baked to the surface, and is resistant to peeling and fading. Wood grain transfer printing applies a wood pattern onto the aluminum through the use of heat so that one can enjoy the looks of wood without the warping and rotting of natural wood.
Finishes and materials for aluminum are highly customizable so that aluminum doors can suit every type of home design. Whether the design is ultra modern, rustic farmhouse, or traditional, you won't be limited to just one standard design.
They're Energy Efficient and Reduce Your Bills
An apparent downside of aluminum doors is the cost attributed to energy conduction. Metal doors are poor insulators and for a long time, that was true. But with the use of technology, this is no longer the case.
Thermal break technology is one of the numerous technological developments that have led to energy efficient metal doors. Instead of a continuous, solid piece of aluminum, a special insulating material (usually polyamide) is placed in the aluminum frame. Because of this, a barrier is constructed that prevents heat transfer through the aluminum thus allowing thermal separation of sides with differing temperatures.
The heat transfer coefficient for thermal break aluminum doors is 1.8 to 3.5 W/m²K. In comparison, regular aluminum doors without thermal breaks have values between 140 and 170 W/m²K. This is considerable. Simply put, these doors insulate your home and reduce the load on your heating and air conditioning systems. This leads to a decrease in energy consumption and increase in comfort all while being better for the environment.
The energy efficiency improves even more after combining thermal break aluminum frames with double or triple glazed windows with argon gas filling. Some aluminum door systems reduce heat transfer by 30% or more compared to older models.
Improved Safety for Your Home and Family
Now let's talk about safety because it's important, and it's something you want to have. You want doors to be imposing and secure, and stay closed to the unwelcome. Simply put, aluminum is strong and discrete to keep the people you want out, out.
Aluminum doors are also secure because they have multi point locking systems. Instead of one single lock at the handle, there are locks positioned at the top, bottom, and along the side of the door making the door more secure and stronger.
Some manufacturers reinforce fragile pieces with steel, and think about the combination of heavy duty door hinges and shatter resistant glass with an aluminum frame. You get an extremely high level security door. Aluminum doors have good fire resistance. Aluminum will not burn and will not release any toxic fumes, unlike most materials. It absorbs heat and slows the speed of fire. Such resistance brings great peace of mind.
The Maintenance and Longevity Your Home Deserves
Aluminum doors require almost no maintenance. No ceremonial wood refinishing in a couple of years, and no worrying about sanding and painting. When it comes time to clean, it just needs a little scrubbing. Your aluminum door needs little maintenance and little cleaning. And the powder coated finish is resistant to fading, chipping, and peeling. Forget about termite and rot infestation. Mold will not be an issue and cleaning will be an occasional chore.
How long do aluminum doors last? With good maintenance, aluminum doors can last anywhere between 30 to 60 years. Yes, that isn't a typo. There have been some cases of aluminum doors lasting longer, while some wood doors break in almost 15 to 20 years. There are also cheaper doors made with steel. Those can rust in under 10 years, so long term value is a no brainer.
Aluminum doors may seem like a bigger investment in the beginning, but the long term value is unsurpassed. You will have use of the door for unresolved decades. There are energy savings as well as maintenance savings that also contribute to value. The savings in maintenance is due to near zero maintenance cost.
They Are Good for the Planet Too
Aluminum also has benefits to the planet. It is one of the few, most recyclable materials on the planet. Even better it can be recycled infinitely without losing integrity. Recycling aluminum also uses only 5% of the energy needed to produce it out of ore for the first time.
With all that being said, by choosing aluminum doors, you are indirectly choosing a material that won't sit in a landfill for eternity. Many manufacturers produce aluminum doors with recycled materials, so the footprint is even lower.
The Bottom Line
Every door material has advantages and disadvantages. Wood looks great but is very high maintenance. Steel is strong but is heavy and rusts easily. Fiberglass is just decent and not very stylish. But there is one door material that offers the combination of strength and good looks coupled with low maintenance and energy efficiency and high security. Aluminum is hard to beat. It is an excellent insulator, weatherproofs your home, and looks great. If you are installing a new front door, upgrading to sliding patio doors, or adding a sunroom, consider aluminum. You may be surprised at how much you like it.
