A Comparison Between PVC Doors and Wood Fibre Doors
Are you planning to install new doors in your home? Read on and learn some of the key differences between moulded PVC doors and wood fibre doors. Use this information to select the best type of doors for your home:
Environmental Friendliness
PVC doors are made from manufactured materials (plastics) that can be recycled many times. They, therefore, have a lower impact on the environment when you compare them with wood fibre doors. This is because the wood fibre doors are made using rejected or low-quality lumber as filler material. The use of such lumber accelerates the rate of deforestation because no type of wood is spared when materials for making these doors are being harvested.
Screw Holding Strength
Both PVC and wood fibre doors are heavy. However, wood fibre doors expose their screws to greater stress because the filling inside the door isn't strong enough to anchor the screws securely. The screws are, therefore, likely to become loose as the weight of the door keeps exerting stress upon the hinges of that door. This is unlike PVC doors whose core is solid. Such a core can hold the door screws securely for a long time.
Susceptibility to Damage
PVC moulded doors don't warp due to the elements. This is because the door has a solid core, as has already been stated. Additionally, PVC isn't affected by water exposure. This is unlike wood fibre doors that will quickly warp when they absorb moisture. The veneer of wood fibre doors can also fall off when the door is exposed to moisture for extended durations. This is because the filling will absorb the water and expand until the veneer can no longer stay in place.
Impact of Fire
PVC doors are fire retardant. Additionally, the material will extinguish itself in case it catches fire. This is in sharp contrast to what can happen in case wood fibre doors are exposed to fire. The filling in the door can quickly ignite and burst into flames once it is exposed to fire. The trapped air within the filling helps to fuel any fire that breaks out.
As you can see, PVC moulded doors have numerous advantages over wood fibre doors. However, you should also take into account the shortcomings of each material. For instance, it may be harder to repair a moulded PVC door when you compare it with repairing a wood fibre door. It is also hard to alter the colour or appearance of a PVC door once it has been made and installed. Think about all the strengths and weaknesses of each material so that your selection will be based on a detailed analysis of all aspects of the materials under consideration.