Guide
Door replacement in 2026
Last reviewed 2026-05-01 · ~6 min read
A door replacement isn’t primarily an energy upgrade — it’s a comfort, security, and curb-appeal project. This guide explains what each material actually costs, why fiberglass dominates modern installs, and the differences between slab-only and pre-hung replacement.
Front entry doors — the three materials
Steel ($500–$1,450 installed): cheapest mainstream choice. Insulated foam core, U-factor ~0.30. Best security (steel face, steel-clad frame). Drawbacks: dents from impacts, rust if scratched, can feel "tinny." Best for utility doors and budget-driven front replacements.
Fiberglass ($800–$3,600 installed): the modern default. Therma-Tru, Pella, JELD-WEN, Plastpro. Wood-grain texture (some look genuinely wood-like), insulated foam core, U-factor ~0.20–0.25. No rust, no rot, no painting (factory finishes last 10+ years). Available in basic to premium tiers — the mid tier ($1,100–$2,300) is the right choice for most homeowners.
Solid wood ($2,000–$5,300 installed): premium look. Mahogany, oak, alder. Heavy and substantial. Requires periodic refinishing (5–7 years for stained, longer for painted). Lower R-value than insulated fiberglass (U ~0.40). Best for historically appropriate homes and high-end remodels.
Slab vs pre-hung
A slab replacement reuses your existing frame and threshold — installer pops out the old door and hangs the new one on existing hinges. Cheaper and faster but only works if the existing frame is square and undamaged. A pre-hung replacement includes a new frame, jamb, threshold, and weatherstrip — adds $300–$800 to the project but is the right call for older homes where the frame has settled or rotted.
Sliding patio doors
Vinyl 6ft 2-panel basic ($1,200–$2,900): JELD-WEN ProLine, ReliaBilt, Pella ProLine. Adequate quality at entry-level price.
Fiberglass premium ($2,600–$6,600): Pella Lifestyle, Andersen 200 Series. Better operation, low-e glass standard, much longer lifespan.
Wood premium ($4,300–$10,700): Andersen 400, Marvin Elevate. Real wood interior with aluminum-clad exterior. Custom sizes and finishes available.
French double doors ($2,500–$6,700): smaller opening width than slider but more architectural. Inswing or outswing options.
Garage doors
Steel single 8×7 ($800–$2,200 installed): insulated steel with vinyl back. Adequate for most 1-car garages.
Steel double 16×7 ($1,300–$3,600): the standard 2-car garage door. Clopay, Wayne Dalton, Amarr.
Premium double ($3,000–$10,300): carriage-style, wood, or full-view glass. Often integrated with a smart opener that connects to home automation.
Energy efficiency — modest
U-factor 0.30 or lower is the ENERGY STAR target. SHGC matters in cooling-dominant climates (Florida, Texas) — pick 0.30 or lower to limit solar heat gain. R-value of insulated fiberglass is about R-6 versus R-2 for a solid wood door, but doors are a small fraction of envelope area. Real savings are 1–3% of HVAC at most.
Federal credit
The 25C credit for ENERGY STAR exterior doors (30% up to $250 per door, $500/year total) expired Dec 31 2025 (OBBBA). Door-only retrofits no longer have federal subsidies. Some state programs (Mass Save, Energy Trust of Oregon) still offer modest rebates on Class A doors.