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Wood is by no means the only type of front door material on the market. You can also choose from several other options, including:

• Aluminum: Low-maintenance and affordable, but lacks insulation 

• Fiberglass: Offers excellent insulation and durability for a decent price 

• Glass: Offers beauty but less security or insulation, and a higher price tag 

• Steel: One of the most economical options if you’re looking for affordability, low maintenance, high security levels, and a door that will last

• Wrought iron: Attractive and secure, but costly and heavy 

You can’t gauge the lifetime of a fire door like you could, say, an engine. Fire doors should be checked at least once every six months to ensure there are no signs of degradation like leaks, holes, water damage, termite damage, or anything else that might compromise the functionality of the door’s fire resistance. Check your smoke detectors while you’re at it.

Fire doors are more expensive than your run-of-the-mill residential composite door because of additional materials and expanding sealants that help the door slow down or even prevent the spread of temperatures over 1,000 degrees. If you have homeowners insurance, talk to your company and see if installing fire doors can lower your premiums, especially if you can install steel doors.

You can use any wood to make an interior door, provided it’s the right thickness. Common options for painted doors include pine or poplar for the stiles, rails, and mullions, and paint-grade plywood for the panels. You can also opt to make your own panels out of pine or poplar if you intend on staining the door instead. Opting for oak, maple, or another hardwood is another great option for a high-end door that will last for decades, but the wood will cost significantly more.