Choose the material for your exposure
Steel doors are strong, secure, and the most affordable of the three common materials. They can dent, and scratches need prompt attention to prevent rust. Fibreglass resists dents, will not rust, and convincingly mimics wood grain — a strong all-rounder for Ontario weather. Wood offers unmatched character but needs regular finishing and suits sheltered entries best.
Match the material to the door’s exposure. A south-facing door with no porch overhang takes a beating from sun and weather; fibreglass or steel handles it better than wood.
Glass, sidelites and light
Decorative glass transforms an entry, but every lite is a trade-off between light, privacy, and cost. Consider the view from inside as well as curb appeal: a full-lite door floods a dark hallway with daylight. For privacy, textured or frosted glass keeps the light while obscuring the view.
Sidelites and transoms add light and presence but enlarge the opening and the price. Decide on the whole entry composition, not just the door slab.
Security is mostly installation
A quality deadbolt in a poorly installed frame is theatre. Ask how the frame is anchored, whether a reinforced strike plate is included, and how the threshold is sealed. These unglamorous details determine both security and how the door feels when it closes — solid, or hollow and rattling.
Do not forget the finishing
Confirm what is included: painting or staining, interior trim, exterior brickmould or capping, and disposal of the old door. An entry door project that leaves you hiring a painter and a trim carpenter afterwards was not the bargain it appeared to be.