More than a simple entry point, your front door is one of the most important features of your home. It’s what shapes a first impression of your property, welcomes friends and family in, makes up a key element of security, and contributes to the home’s energy efficiency. 

What’s the Best Front Door for My House?

Whether you’re building or renovating, choosing the right exterior door requires a few considerations, but it doesn’t have to be complicated. Ideally, your front door should look great, keep your home safe, last for decades, and come with a lifetime warranty. 

Ultimately, the right front door depends on your style preferences, location, and security needs.

What type of exterior doors are the best?

It’s a common question. While personal preferences on security, durability, style, and performance, the best front door for you also depends on some key factors:

  • Local climate
  • Architectural style 
  • Energy efficiency needs
  • Security 
  • Long-term maintenance preferences
  • Ease of operation

For most homes, steel and fibreglass doors are the two best choices and the most reliable options. Both materials are durable, energy-efficient, and don’t require a lot of upkeep. They’re also better suited to withstanding the freezing temperatures, humidity, and strong winds of Canadian winters. And when you invest in a high-quality door, you’ll save money on maintenance, heating, and cooling costs in the long run. 

Strong & Secure Steel Doors

  • Steel is one of the most weather-resistant materials on the market, which is why steel entrance systems make a great fit for your home. Our steel doors are extremely low maintenance, resistant to warping, bowing, and rotting, and offer:
    • A smooth, aesthetically pleasing finish, with clean lines and a composite frame
    • Panels that can be either smooth or embossed to add character 
    • Security: a properly installed steel front door is extremely difficult to force open, making it one of the safest options available. 

 

Durable & Stylish Fibreglass Doors

Designed to withstand the harsh elements of Canadian winters, fibreglass makes for an excellent long-term investment. 

Fibreglass provides structural strength, won’t rust or rot, and is highly resistant to dents. With a natural woodgrain look, fibreglass doors also offer beauty and style, plus energy efficiency and strength, all in one. These entry doors most closely resemble the defined texture, look, and feel of authentic wood, but are much more durable and secure. Our fibreglass doors offer:

  • Personalization – We can colour coat your fibreglass door or stain it instead to bring out the natural wood grain finish. 
  • Insulation – As a composite material, fibreglass does not conduct heat as easily as some other materials, making it more energy efficient.
  • Longevity – Unlike wood, fibreglass does not rot. Boats and backyard decking are made from fibreglass for this reason. 
  • Durability – Low-maintenance fibreglass is resistant to scratches and dents
  • Customization –There are many different options and styles to choose from to get the exact look you want.
  • Structural Strength – The stiles and rails of our fibreglass doors are made with engineered Laminated Veneer Lumber (LVL), created by bonding layers of wood under heat and pressure. This results in a stronger, more stable structure than traditional solid wood components, helping resist warping, twisting, and shrinking over time. 

How it’s Made

When you know how a door is built, it can help you better evaluate quality and performance. Every entry system is made up of key components. These include the door panel (or slab), the frame, and the hardware that allows everything to function smoothly and securely. 

Door Panels or “Slab”

A slab is the industry term for the plain, solid rectangular panel that forms the body of the door before coating, framing, hinges or hardware are added. The slab includes a skin, core, stiles, rails and lock block. 

  • Door Skin
    The skin is the outermost layer of the slab. Exterior steel doors have a galvanized steel skin with a smooth finish, and fibreglass doors have a fibreglass skin with a woodgrain finish.
  • Core Panels
    The core of our panels is filled with polyurethane foam to provide insulation, strength, and sound deadening, improving the energy efficiency and comfort of your home.
  • Stiles & Rails
    Stiles and rails form the internal frame of the panel. The stiles (vertical components) and rails (horizontal components) are crucial for structural support. They house the hardware, hinges, and locks, and provide strength and security. The stiles also prevent the door from warping, allowing it to operate smoothly and lock properly.  
  • Lock Block
    A lock block is on the inside of the door panel between the two skins and is used when installing door hardware. It provides support for the handle and deadbolt, and resistance to attempted forced entry. This is an essential part of the door’s security. 

Door Frames

The frame of the door is what the slab connects to, and is also attached to the house. A well-constructed frame allows the door to operate and lock properly, helping to seal out the weather. The frame includes a jamb, threshold, brick mould, and casing trim.   

  • Jamb
    The jamb connects the door to the house by attaching to both the slab of the door system and the studs in the wall. It’s the main support for an entry system. Traditionally, jambs are made of wood, but ours are made from a strong, durable carbon fibre composite material that will not rust or rot. Its strength ensures the opening stays square, level and plumb, preventing the door from sagging so it operates smoothly and locks properly. Because composite is very strong, it makes an excellent deterrent against forced entry for added security.  During installation, cedar shims are used to ensure the door is perfectly square, level, and plumb. This prevents sagging, improves operation, and helps the door seal tightly against the elements. Our premium cedar shims contain natural oils and are sealed with silicone to repel moisture, reducing the risk of water absorption that can lead to rot or mould inside the wall cavity. 
  • Threshold
    The threshold of the door is the part you step on and is a critical component of the system. It not only has to be durable to support the weight and volume of traffic it receives, but it also needs to seal properly to keep insects, drafts, and water from entering the house. Improper seals can cause rot and mould issues. Our threshold is made from a durable composite-based material that won’t rot. It’s designed for superior protection against air and moisture, and is guaranteed to withstand the wear-and-tear effects of high-traffic areas. 
  • Brick mould
    The brick mould is an exterior piece that seals the gap between the door frame and the house to provide airtightness and a finished look. Because ours is made of a composite material that won’t rot, it doesn’t require aluminum to be added around it like traditional wood jambs. It can also be painted or stained to match the colour of your door slab and frame for a more polished look.
  • Casing

Casing is the wood trim that bridges the gap between the door frame and the drywall inside the house. It provides a decorative finished look and seals out air drafts. The industry standard is to provide unpainted wood, leaving an unfinished look and unprotected wood. After installation, the homeowner must sand, prime, and paint the wood. This is a tedious and time-consuming task. We sand, prime, and paint our trim prior to installation, so our customers are never inconvenienced with any DIY tasks once we’re gone.   

Hardware

Hardware provides security, allows for easy operation of the door, and accents the aesthetics of the door by adding character. Hardware includes hinges, the handle and lock set, and the strike plate.    

  • Hinges
    Hinges attach the door panel to the jamb and allow the door to open and close. Our heavy-duty hinges support the weight of heavy entry systems and prevent the door from sagging, allowing it to operate effortlessly. Made of high-grade stainless steel to prevent rust and corrosion, our hinges contain ball bearings for smooth operation, unlike standard hinges that tend to stick and squeak.
  • Handle & Lock-set
    Handle and lock sets assist in opening, closing, and securing the door against forced entry. Ours are made from a heavy duty forged brass, making them stronger than aluminum or plated steel hardware for increased security and smooth operation. With a variety of styles, colours, and themes, they can also add character and charm to the entryway. 
  • Strike plates
    Metal plates with holes in them are attached to the jamb to receive the latch and deadbolt. This provides added security and helps keep the slab aligned with the frame, allowing for easy operation. They also help bring the door tight to the frame to seal out the weather.

Unlock a World of Style 

Your front door is an opportunity to showcase a little personality. It plays a big role in your home’s overall character and charm. Whether you’re looking for a bold statement piece or a classic entryway, it’s good to know you have choices! Popular exterior door styles include:

  • Modern entry doors – Think clean lines, minimal detailing, bold colours
  • Classic panel doors – Traditional raised panels that work with many homes
  • Glass panel designs – Glass inserts to brighten the entryway
  • Double entry doors – Also known as French Doors, these are perfect for larger homes or dramatic entrances

Use our interactive Door Design Centre to get an idea of what you want by customizing everything from:

  • Layout – Select a single or double door entry system.
  • Material – Choose steel for a smooth, modern look or fibreglass for a textured, woodgrain feel.
  • Colour – Decide from 39 standard interior and exterior colours for doors, jambs, and frames. Custom colours are also available. 
  • Coating – We use a durable, heat reflective coating to colour your doors. Fibreglass doors can be hand-stained in 9 wood-look finishes. Coatings are applied in our factory by expert technicians. 
  • Panel – Pick from 13 available styles, from flush to 6-panel, and more
  • Glass – Find the right glass for your door lite or sidelites with classic, contemporary, textured, or operating glass styles.
  • Hardware – Choose your gripsets, levers, and knobs from a variety of styles and colours. Multi-point hardware is also an option, which locks in tightly at three points of the door for additional security. 

It’s easy to experiment with different combinations to visualize how your new door could look on your home. If you’re not sure, just start over or go back to make new choices. If you like what you see, book an in-home consultation.

Let the Light in!

If you went through the Door Design Centre and wondered “Should a front door have glass?”, the answer is really a matter of taste.

Decorative glass adds an element of sophistication as well as natural light, and can improve your curb appeal. Doors with glass can also make your entryway feel more open and welcoming. Door lites are panes of glass framed within the door itself. Sidelites are panes of glass on either or both sides of the door. We offer a range of door lite and sidelite configurations to suit any size of exterior door. And if you’re looking for glass pattern and texture options that balance privacy and light, we offer that, too. 

Front Door Finishing Touches

The right hardware can turn your front door from solid to stunning. With an array of options of gripsets, handles and knobs in different materials (e.g. brass, bronze or stainless steel) and finishes (e.g. matte, brushed, polished, antique) to choose from, door hardware is both functional and aesthetic.  

Leaders in energy efficiency

Your front door plays a big role in the energy efficiency of your home. Poorly insulated doors can let cool air escape in the heat of summer and let cold air in when you’re trying to stay warm in winter. Helping reduce heating and cooling costs and keeping your home comfortable all year round, energy-efficient doors are comprised of:

  • Insulated cores
  • EPDM weather stripping 
  • High-performance sealants 
  • Energy-efficient glass

When you invest in a front door from Centennial Windows & Doors, you get expert craftsmanship from manufacturing to installation. Our team will install your door, taking extra care to ensure attention to every detail.

As the first window company in Canada to be ENERGY STAR® certified, we understand that installation is an integral part of the whole energy efficiency process. The ENERGY STAR Canada Awards recognize organizations that lead the market in energy-efficient innovation and accessibility. We’re proud of our ongoing commitment to manufacturing excellence:

2004 ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year Award
2005 ENERGY STAR Retailer of the Year Award
2008 ENERGY STAR Award for Sustained Excellence
2014 ENERGY STAR Manufacturer of the Year – Windows and Doors
2019 ENERGY STAR’s prestigious Manufacturer of the Year Award

Lifetime Warranty

We stand by our work. Centennial Windows & Doors consistently exceed customer expectations. We’re accountable for every step of our unique process, taking full responsibility to manufacture, install, and service your door. 

Our Lifetime Warranty is the most comprehensive in the industry. It covers our products and installation for as long as you own your home. No pro-rated terms. No small print. Just award-winning, energy-efficient windows and doors that are best known for quality, integrity, and innovation.

Choosing the right front door is about more than style. It’s about security, comfort, and long-term value. With Canadian-made products, expert installation, and over 45 years of experience, Centennial Windows & Doors is proud to help homeowners find the perfect entry system for their home. When you’re ready to upgrade or replace your front door, we’re here to help. Book an in-home consultation today.