7 Myths About Metal Front Doors (and the Truths Behind Them)
Metal doors often get a bad rap for being cold, uninviting, prone to rust, and poor at insulation. But what if those concerns aren't true? Many myths surround the benefits of metal doors, which can be confusing for potential buyers. Here are some of the most common myths you may have heard:
7 Metal Front Door Myths
- Myth: Metal Doors Rust Easily
- Myth: Metal Doors Are Too Heavy for Residential Use
- Myth: Metal Doors Are Cold and Uninviting
- Myth: Metal Doors Lack Design Options
- Myth: Metal Doors Are Bad for Insulation
- Myth: Metal Doors Are Prone to Dents and Scratches
- Myth: Metal Doors are Only for Industrial or Commercial Buildings.
We’re here to clear up the misconceptions about metal front doors. As we debunk each myth, you'll gain the confidence to purchase a custom metal door for your home. We'll also guide you on how to choose the right metal door for your space, so when you're ready to buy, you can make an informed decision.
7 Myths About Metal Front Doors
Let’s take a closer look at these myths and separate fact from fiction.
1. Myth: Metal Doors Rust Easily
Truth: Modern metal doors are coated with rust-resistant finishes and weatherproofing treatments to seal and protect the metal surface. With a properly sealed and maintained steel entry door, moisture can’t reach the metal, making rust a non-issue.
When investing in a high-quality entry door, you want the door to last for years—even decades. Given this, it’s reasonable to be concerned about metal doors rusting.
However, when you purchase a metal front door through a reputable seller like Rustica, there’s no need to worry about your door rusting. For added protection, choose a rust-resistant metal like aluminum or stainless steel.
The key is to regularly maintain your metal door to ensure it stays in great condition. Whether you have steel exterior doors or interior metal doors, it’s important to clean them to prevent damage or debris accumulation.
Because steel doors are powder coated, they need specific powder coating maintenance to ensure the metal surfaces stay clean and protected. This means using a clean cloth and mild soap to clean the metal, avoiding abrasive cleaners or harsh scrubbers.
Even if you live in a tropical, humid climate or your door is exposed to salty sea air, properly sealed and maintained metal doors will not rust.
2. Myth: Metal Doors Are Too Heavy for Residential Use
Truth: With modern technology, metal doors are designed to be solid without being overly heavy. This means anyone can easily open and close the door without much effort.
The last thing homeowners want are steel front doors that take muscle to open and close. It’s just not practical. While it’s true that some metal commercial doors are heavy and thick, not all metal doors are designed that way.
It all comes down to how the door is designed and the type of metal used. At Rustica, we make sturdy, solid metal doors that maintain a reasonable door weight, even with heavier metals like steel. So, there’s no need to worry about your metal front door being too heavy.
3. Myth: Metal doors are Cold and Uninviting
Truth: In reality, metal doors come in many styles and designs, many of which don't have an industrial look.
For example, metal doors can be customized with warm finishes and wood-like textures. Many metal door styles have glass features—like French doors—which have a soft and welcoming look. It’s completely possible to design a metal front door with the warm and inviting aesthetic you’re after.
Furthermore, several door styles mix metal, glass, and wood. These doors combine the rustic feeling of wood with the elegance of metal in a harmonious design. Another design option to consider is combining wood and metal by having a traditional wooden entry door paired with a high-quality French storm door. With this combination, you get the best of both worlds.
Still not convinced metal doors can be as cozy and welcoming as a wood door? Take a look at some of our metal front entry doors. You'll be pleasantly surprised by the variety of warm and inviting styles available.
4. Myth: Metal Doors Lack Design Options
Truth: Today’s metal doors offer just as many design options as
wood doors. Modern metal doors come in various styles, colors, and finishes—whether sleek and modern or rustic and classic.
Any door type can be metal—such as a double door, patio door, or storm door. Interior metal barn doors are a great option for modern homes looking to add a touch of rustic nostalgia to their space while still maintaining that contemporary feel.
There’s no denying the specific charm and elegance metal doors have. While considered a modern style, metal doors also have a traditional aesthetic, as many metal glass doors honor historic French doors. Given this, metal doors can fit a wide range of interior design styles.
Rustica offers a stunning assortment of metal door styles to choose from, making it easy to find the perfect door design for every aesthetic. Plus, with our impressive customization options, you can make your steel front door uniquely yours.
Whether you want a minimalistic door to match your industrial decor or a sophisticated French door for your balcony, metal doors have the aesthetic and artistic flexibility you need.
5. Myth: Metal Doors are Bad for Insulation
Truth: Most metal doors are designed to be insulated and reduce heat transfer. Residential metal doors are filled with insulating materials, such as foam cores. These insulating cores make the door highly energy efficient and help maintain indoor temperatures.
Whether you’re investing in high-quality doors or custom windows, one of the main priorities for every homeowner is energy efficiency. You want to be confident that your doors and windows won’t let cold drafts in or transfer hot outdoor air into your space.
Given this, it’s reasonable for you to be concerned about the insulating capabilities of metal, which is a known thermal conductor. That’s why expert door manufacturers have designed metal doors with insulating cores.
These insulating cores create a temperature barrier so that the heat on the metal won’t transfer to the other side of the door. Whether you want to keep your home cool in the summer or warm in the winter, you won’t have to worry about your metal door affecting your internal temperature.
Even doors with metal windows are designed for optimal thermal performance. Exterior doors with windows have low e glass for the glass panel. Low e glass, short for low emissivity glass, is a type of window glazing created to enhance a window’s insulating performance. This means that whether you choose a glass French door or a solid metal door, it will be a great investment for your home and won't increase your energy bills.
6. Myth: Metal Doors Are Prone to Dents and Scratches
Truth: High-quality metal doors are built to resist dents and scratches. If the metal door does get minor damage, it can easily be repaired with a touch-up.
Metal doors are built to last, both in structure and appearance. Modern door designers prioritize homeowners' needs, including creating metal doors that can withstand regular use.
How well metal resists dents or scratches also has to do with the type of metal, where the metal door is located, and how often it’s used. Stainless steel is the most scratch and dent-resistant type of metal available, making it the best option for exterior doors. Aluminum is softer, so it is better for interior doors that don’t receive as much traffic.
7. Myth: Metal Doors Are Only for Industrial or Commercial Buildings
Truth: Metal front doors are popular in residential homes due to their durability and security. With their wide range of design options, you can find a metal exterior door that fits both traditional and modern homes.
This may be the silliest myth about metal doors. To start, iron doors and metal French doors have been used for centuries in homes. An iron door was especially popular during the Middle Ages among the upper class. Today, steel entry doors are favored for their sleek and modern feel, as well as their historic origins. It all comes down to widening our perspectives of what metal doors look like.
If you only imagine large steel doors that lead into a factory, it might be hard to picture them in a residential setting. But imagine a beautiful glass exterior door with a metal window grille pattern and a thin metal frame. That type of door is perfectly suitable for a home, and not at all practical for a commercial building.
In this way, there are metal doors specifically designed for residential use. Not only do these metal doors have benefits such as increased strength, longevity, and security, but they also come in a variety of elegant and modern designs.
How to Choose the Right Metal Door for Your Home
Choosing the right metal door for your home involves picking the best metal for your climate and the door’s purpose. Rustica offers three metal types: steel, aluminum, and stainless steel.
Steel is strong, durable,
800-891-8312
FREE SHIPPING*Most orders over $500 qualify. Free shipping applies to Barn Door Hardware, Barn Doors, and Pocket Doors over $500. Front doors, interior doors, shower doors, any oversized door (wider than 3ft and taller than 7ft) and any special order doors have shipping costs which are calculated at checkout. Some barn door hardware track lengths do not qualify for free shipping.
