Exterior doors have an important function in your home. In aesthetic terms, they add luxury and elegance to your home. In functional terms, they keep your home protected from external agents. Certainly, external doors are essential to guarantee the comfort of any property.
However, in places with extreme climates, it’s also necessary a good insulation. So, not all exterior doors that you find on the current market are appropriate for this purpose.
In this article you’ll learn how to choose the best exterior door for direct sunlight. You’ll also find a list with the 10 best exterior doors that everybody is taking home in 2022.
Benefits of Best Exterior Door for Direct Sunlight
Certainly, having the best exterior door for direct sunlight will keep your home protected. Also, it will help to increase the aesthetic value of your property. However, there are many more benefits that you can get. Here’s a list with some of them.
Durable
Above all, exterior doors for direct sunlight are durable, because:
- Made with resistant materials.
- Long-lasting warranties.
- Resistant to external agents.
- Can withstand high impacts without breaking or deforming.
- Resistant to scratches.
Easy to Install
Also, exterior doors for direct sunlight are easy to install, because:
- You don’t need fancy tools to do it.
- Easy to understand instructions.
- You don’t need to assemble too many parts.
- You don’t require previous experience.
- A single person is enough to install one.
Versatile
In addition, exterior doors for direct sunlight are versatile, because:
- They prevent thermal interaction.
- They keep pests away.
- Protect your home from external agents.
- They let the passage of natural light.
- They increase the aesthetic value of your property.
Top 10 Best Exterior Door for Direct Sunlight
Certainly, not all doors are good to withstand direct sunlight. So, you must choose carefully if you don’t want to end up disappointed after purchasing. Bellow, you’ll find a top 10 list with the best exterior doors for direct sunlight. Certainly, any of these options will give you excellent results.
1. National Door Company ZZ364605L Exterior Door – Our Top Pick
Certainly, the most interesting feature of this door is its elegant design. You can also have a clear view of the outside through its glass panels. In addition, it’s highly resistant, made with 24-gauge galvanized steel. It’s also insulated to prevent radiant heat transfer.
Pros
- Insulated.
- Durable and resistant.
- Elegant design.
Cons
- It may rust with high humidity.
- Very heavy.
Certainly, this is the best door for direct sunlight. In addition, it adds a touch of luxury and elegance to your property. Also, it’s very resistant to deformation and high impacts. However, it’ isn’t very resistant to rust and not the most appropriate for too humid environments.
2. National Door Company ZZ364629L Exterior Door
If you need more natural light in your home, this is certainly the door you need. It also uses 24-gauge galvanized steel for maximum resistance to rust and high impacts. In addition, it’s insulated to withstand high heat.
Pros
- Insulated.
- Durable and resistant.
- Improves the natural lighting of your home.
Cons
- The glass panel may break with high impacts.
- It may rust in too humid environments.
Certainly, this door makes your home look brighter. In addition, it gives you a clear vision of the exterior spaces of your home. Also, it prevents radiant heat from entering your home during summer.
3. National Door Company ZZ00367L Exterior Door
This door is made of fiberglass. So, it’s lighter than other models made of hardwood or steel. Also, it’s insulated, so your property will be protected from intense cold and heat. In addition, it’s very durable and resistant.
Pros
- Lighter than most doors.
- Insulated.
- Durable and resistant.
Cons
- Not as resistant as steel doors.
- Its surface may scratch so easily.
Certainly, this is one of the lightest and easiest doors to install on the market. In addition, it keeps your home protected from sudden changes in temperature. Unfortunately, it isn’t as strong as steel doors, so it may break with high impacts.
4. National Door Company Z000725L Exterior Door
This exterior door has external grills to protect its glass panel. So, you can be sure the glass won’t break with high impacts. Also, it’s insulated to prevent the passage of radiant heat. It’s also made of galvanized steel and resistant to rust.
Pros
- Resistant to rust.
- Durable and resistant.
- Its external grilles protect its glass panel.
Cons
- It may rust in too humid environments.
- Very heavy.
Certainly, this product is much stronger than other doors on the market. In addition, its glass panel resists better high impacts thanks to its external grille. However, this door is very heavy, so it needs stiff hinges.
5. National Door Company ZZ364692L Exterior Door
This exterior door has a sliding glass panel to let fresh air to enter your home. It also has a protective mesh that prevents the passage of mosquitoes and other pests. In addition, it’s insulated to withstand direct sunlight exposure.
Pros
- Insulated.
- Prevents the passage of pests into your home.
- Durable and resistant.
Cons
- It may rust in too humid environments.
- The glass panel may break with high impacts.
Certainly, this is the best door to protect your home from pests. In addition, it allows the passage of fresh air to dissipate high temperatures. Also, its insulation material is very effective and improves the comfort level of your home.
6. National Door Company ZZ00717L Exterior Door – Cheap
Certainly, this door will catch the attention of all your visits. It has a classic design, which will increase the aesthetic appeal of your property. Also, it’s insulated and pre-primed. So, it doesn’t require additional anti-rust coatings.
Pros
- Resistant to rust.
- Classic design.
- Insulated.
Cons
- It may rust in too humid environments.
- Very heavy.
If design is important to you, this is certainly the door you need. All your visits will be impressed by the elegance of this product. Also, it’s insulated to prevent the passage of radiant heat. Unfortunately, it isn’t the best door for humid environments.
7. National Door Company ZZ00721L Exterior Door
If you have pets at home, this is certainly the door you need. It has a small entrance at the bottom, ideal for cats and small dogs. Also, it’s made with 24-gauge galvanized steel, to resist rust and high impacts. It’s also insulated to resist direct sun exposure.
Pros
- It comes with an entrance for pets.
- Durable and resistant.
- Insulated.
Cons
- Not so resistant to rust.
- Very heavy.
Certainly, this product is very convenient for pet owners. As other door from this same brand, this one is insulated to repel radiant heat. Unfortunately, it isn’t the best door for humid environments.
8. Craftsman Dark Mahogany Finish Left Hand in Swing Pre-Hung Fiberglass Prehung Front Door – Special
Certainly, this door is perfect for classic-style homes. It’s made of fiberglass, so it’s also lightweight and easy to install. Its exterior finish resembles genuine dark mahogany. In addition, it has three different glass panels to let the passage natural light.
Pros
- It lets natural light to pass through.
- Eye-catching external finish.
- Classic design.
Cons
- The glass panels may break so easily.
- Not as resistant as genuine hardwood doors.
Certainly, the most attractive feature of this door is its eye-catching design. With one of these, your house will look luxurious and elegant. Also, it isn’t as expensive and heavy as other doors made of genuine hardwood.
9. Aawaiz Imports Dark Bronze Exterior Door
If your property has a rustic style, this door is recommended for you. It’s also made with 12-gauge steel to resist high impacts and deformation. In addition, its exterior dark bronze finish and varnish coating protect it from rust and other external agents.
Pros
- Resistant to rust.
- Rustic design.
- Dark-bronze finish.
Cons
- Not easy to install.
- Very heavy.
Certainly, this bronze-finish door is the best choice for rustic homes. In addition, its thermal injected foam insulation prevents the passage of radiant heat. Unfortunately, it’s too heavy, so it needs sturdy hinges to properly work.
10. BGW Solid Wood Exterior Door
This door has an elegant design that blends well with classic-style homes. Also, it’s very durable and has 1 year of warranty. So, you can get a new one if you notice any defect in the product. It’s also made with genuine African mahogany.
Pros
- Made with genuine hardwood.
- Durable and resistant.
- 1-Year warranty.
Cons
- Its surface may scratch so easily.
- Very heavy.
If you want your home to attract the attention of your neighbors, you certainly need this door. It’s has an elegant design and it’s made of genuine hardwood. Also, it has glass panels to let natural light enter. Unfortunately, it may scratch so easily.
Buying Guide – Exterior Door for Direct Sunlight
The exterior door is certainly the first thing your visitors look at before entering your property. So, having an eye-catching door is what you need to make a good impression. However, doors are very common in the current market. So choosing just one can be a difficult decision.
So, before making any choice, there are many factors to consider, such as material, size and design. Each kind of door is more appropriate for a certain style. So, you need to know before the style of your home in order to make the best decision.
In this buying guide, you’ll find all the factors you should consider to choose the best door for you. So, if you follow each of these tips, there will be less risk of making mistakes.
Material
Best exterior doors for direct sunlight are available in a wide variety of materials. The most popular ones are: hardwood, steel, fiberglass and vinyl. Below, you’ll find a detailed explanation of the most desired features that you need to look for on each material.
Hardwood
Certainly, hardwood is the preferred choice of buyers. This material is strong and elegant. In addition, some hardwood species have pleasant fragrances that permeate every corner of your home. Also, some aromatic species are good to repel pests.
Currently, the most popular hardwood species for external doors are:
- Maple
- Oak
- Spruce
- Mahogany
- Pine
Among all, oak and mahogany are the strongest and the most expensive woods. So, if you’re looking for maximum durability and scratch resistance, these are your best choices. However, you should also consider your available budget.
Steel
If safety is your highest priority, exterior steel doors are certainly the best choice for you. These doors are usually made of 24-gauge steel. For this reason, they tend to be heavier than normal. Therefore, you may need a couple of extra hands to install them.
Usually, steel doors tend to overheat with direct sunlight. So, make sure the steel door you’re going to buy is also insulated. Thermal injected foam is the best insulation in these cases.
Fiberglass
Certainly, these doors are very easy to install due to their low weight. Also, fiberglass is cheaper than steel and hardwood. In terms of strength, this material is superior to hardwood, but inferior to steel.
In addition, fiberglass doors don’t require too much maintenance and are very resistant to external agents.
Vinyl
Vinyl doors are also very light and moisture resistant. In addition, their smooth surfaces prevent the proliferation of pathogens. So, they’re very easy to clean. However, these doors aren’t as resistant to high impacts. So, it isn’t convenient to leave them open in places with too much wind.
Size
Before buying, make sure the size of the door fits the size of the wall opening. Exterior doors usually come in standard sizes of 30X80 inches (single doors) or 60X80 inches (double doors).
However, in some cases, the size of the wall opening doesn’t match with any standard size. If that’s your case, you’ll have to hire a professional to manufacture a door with the required dimensions.
Insulation
Whatever the material you choose for your exterior door, always make sure it’s properly insulated. Usually, steel and fiberglass doors have a wider variety of insulation materials than the rest. So, these options are more convenient to dissipate high or low temperatures.
Foam insulation is by far the best option for exterior doors. Foam is lightweight, so it doesn’t add too much weight to the door. In addition, it lets air flow through the door, to prevent thermal interaction.
Price
Once you find the right exterior door for you, it’s time to compare prices. You can visit different hardware stores and shopping websites to do this. Make sure of not choosing the cheapest option. Cheap doors are usually very fragile because they’re made of low-quality materials.
In these cases, choose the door that best suits your budget. However, it’s always a good idea to invest some extra money to buy the best exterior door of all.
Best Exterior Door for Direct Sunlight FAQs
Certainly, there are still many more things to learn about exterior doors. So, maybe you still have some serious questions that need answers. But don’t worry. This FAQs section may help you clarify some doubts.
Q1. Which door materials have more insulation options?
Answer: Among all, steel and fiberglass doors have the widest variety of insulation materials.
Q2. What is the best insulation material for exterior doors?
Answer: By far, thermal injected foam is the best insulation material for exterior doors.
Q3. Do all exterior doors include the frame?
Answer: No. Check this on the product features before buying.
Q4. Which are the best door materials for humid environments?
Answer: Certainly, vinyl and fiberglass are the best materials for too humid environments.
Q5. Which are the best wood species for exterior doors?
Answer: Certainly, oak and mahogany are the best wood species for this purpose.
Final Verdict
Certainly, choosing the best door for direct sunlight isn’t an easy task. You need to consider some important factors before making a decision. If this is your first time buying a door, make sure to follow each one of our tips so you don’t make mistakes.
