By George House/02,July,2025
Almost every homeowner has once faced the tough challenge of choosing the best exterior door material. This is not by lack of sheer knowledge from their side. Instead, the choice is tricky because of the need for best exterior door that can withstand harsh weather.
Durability is a core factor when selecting the best exterior door material for your project. The reason for that is more than just the longevity of the doors; it also gives homeowners an idea of the quality of material used in making them.
Aluminium and fiberglass doors are two of the most common choices. When selecting doors because of their similar benefits but differing durability and strength. This article sheds light on these two door options by helping you choose the right one that will be durable enough to withstand harsh weather.
What Makes a Door Durable?
Before we even go into details about which doors between aluminium and fiberglass you should choose, we must give you a core understanding of what durability entails. Durability in the context of doors has much to do with door structural integrity and how a door maintains its appearance over time. Many core factors contributed to door durability over time:
● Material Strength
Material strength ensures that any door you choose between aluminium and fiberglass will not crack under intense weather conditions.
● Thermal Insulation
Another core factor that makes a door durable is the thermal insulation. This ensures that a door can retain heat during the summer and keep it in during the winter.
● Corrosion and Rot Resistance
Corrosion and rot resistance are other testaments to durable doors. It is normal for your doors to be exposed to moisture and various pollutants.
● Protective Covering
A durable door should be manufactured with fine-finished and protective covers to withstand moisture and any degradation that might arise from it.
The Good news is that all George Group doors come with these factors. So you have nothing to worry about when choosing a Richthofen and durable door for your home.
Fiberglass Doors: Strong and Sturdy
Fiberglass doors rank high in terms of strength, stability, durability, and low maintenance. As a composite material that has been around since the 1930s, fiberglass doors offer homeowners many benefits, including being energy efficient and resistant to corrosion and warping.
● Composition & Build Quality
Fiberglass doors are the product of advanced manufacturing processes and designs. The core material in making fiberglass doors is fiberglass skin that is molded into various door designs under high pressure.
In between the door frame is polyurethane foam, which is popular for its insulation. In some cases, fiberglass doors also consist of reinforced stiles and rails that form the internal frame structure, holding the door in place and enhancing its stability.
● Durability in Extreme Weather
One distinctive feature of fiberglass doors is their excellent durability compared to other doors in extreme weather conditions. While it’s typical for wooden and metal doors to be afflicted with rot and swelling, fiberglass doors maintain their structural integrity against any temperature changes and weather conditions that might cause warping and cracking.
● Maintenance Requirements
Another core attraction of fiberglass doors is their low maintenance requirement. The ease of maintenance attributed to Fiberglass is possible because the materials used in its manufacturing do not retain water.
Another thing worth knowing about fiberglass is how impossible it is for pests and termites to penetrate. These measures are in place to ensure that homeowners do not need to spray the door with chemicals or perform any protective maintenance.
Aluminium Doors: Known for their Lightweight and Very Strong Frame
Aluminium doors are a staple in homes and commercial spaces because of their sleek, structural integrity and modern designs. With a mixture of strength and lightweight, aluminium doors have become a fan farvourite, especially for homeowners who want a door that’s durable, requires minimal maintenance, and can withstand any weather condition.
● Material Structure & Construction
Aluminium doors are known for their large glass panels and extruded aluminium frames that are filled with honeycombs or insulating foams in between. This material structure and design concept ensures its lightweight but rigid appearance.
Another notable design feature of aluminium doors is the anodized or powder-coated look. This ensures that the door has fine protective finishes that prevent it from any damage and also ensure its structural stability in the face of harsh weather conditions.
● Durability in harsh Weather conditions
Aluminium doors are strong and durable in every weather condition, whether hot, cold, or rainy. Their rust-resistant property is second to none, as aluminium doors form a thin oxide layer whenever they are touched by water.
Another thing about aluminium doors’ strength in harsh weather conditions is how their internal frame counteracts the full force of wind and maintains the door’s stability.
● Maintenance Needs
Aluminium doors are in a league of their own regarding maintenance needs because they require little to no maintenance. This is one of the reasons many homeowners choose aluminium doors: All they need to keep them going is a simple water and soap wash to clear away dirt and grime.
Fiberglass and Aluminum Door Durability Comparison
| Durability Factor | Fiberglass Doors | Aluminum Doors |
| Material Behavior | Composite material with molded skins and insulated core | Lightweight metal with rigid framing and optional insulation |
| Moisture Resistance | Does not absorb moisture; resists rot and swelling | Naturally moisture-resistant; corrosion possible if finish is compromised |
| Impact Resistance | Resistant to dents and surface damage | May dent under impact but retains structural rigidity |
| Thermal Performance | Excellent insulation due to foam core | Requires thermal breaks for improved insulation |
| UV and Weather Resistance | UV-stable finishes help resist fading and surface damage | Protective coatings shield against fading and oxidation |
| Maintenance Needs | Low—occasional cleaning and minimal upkeep | Moderate—periodic cleaning, seal checks, and finish maintenance |
| Longevity in Harsh Weather | Performs well in extreme humidity, temperature shifts, and coastal environments | Performs well in moderate climates; additional care needed in coastal regions |
| Design Flexibility | Available in wood-look textures and a variety of finishes | Offers sleek, modern profiles with slim frames and color options |
| Weight and Ease of Use | Heavier construction but stable and solid feel | Lightweight, easy to handle and install |
George Group Expert Recommendations
You won’t go wrong choosing most suitable and best exterior door material for your project. However, some factors are worth considering when selecting either door. This is where our expert guidance is most important to help you choose the best exterior doors material that last longer in harsh weather conditions.
At George Group, we offer durable aluminium doors built to last regardless of weather conditions. Our experienced team of experts is here to collaborate with you to develop doors that best suit your design preference.
Conclusion
Finally, when considering durable doors between fiberglass and aluminium doors in poor weather conditions, always consider the design options, material behaviour, moisture resistance, and maintenance needs.
Aluminium doors are lightweight but very strong, durable, and energy efficient when combined with thermal break. On the other hand, fiberglass features exceptional insulation and lasts long in extreme weather conditions with little maintenance.
