How Heavy Is A Fiberglass Door?

One thing to consider when buying your doors is the weight. The weight affects how you control the door. Heavy doors may not be able to hold on to the door hinges, which can cause problems. Not all doors have the same weight due to the differences in composition. For fiberglass doors, the weight is a big advantage for the security of your house. Keep reading to learn about what we have found out from the experts.

Fiberglass doors weigh around 77 to 85 pounds. Compared to steel and wood doors, fiberglass doors are much lighter. Fiberglass doors are not that heavy due to the polyurethane core. Although the core is light, fiberglass doors are still tough. Also, the weight of the fiberglass door reduces the stress of the door hinges. In effect, this allows you to control your door efficiently. You don't have to worry if your door is tightly bound to the door frame.

Although fiberglass doors are lighter, reliable protection and long-term benefits remain. If you are installing a fiberglass door on your own, there are types of door hinges that can carry the weight of your door. Read further to find out more about your fiberglass door weight and other related topics.

A black front door of a tan beige new construction house with siding, How Heavy Is A Fiberglass Door?

Factors That Influence Fiberglass Door Weight

Fiberglass doors are lighter than steel and wood doors. A number of factors affect the weight of fiberglass doors. Here are what make fiberglass doors light:

Door Composition

The first factor that affects a fiberglass door's weight is its composition. Fiberglass doors have a polyurethane core enveloped in a fiber-reinforced polymer. Polyurethane is in the form of foam, and polymers are very light. Although light, these materials make strong and durable doors.

Door Size And Thickness

Door size and thickness affect the fiberglass door's weight. There is a door weight table that takes into account the door height and width. Also, consider the kind of material of the door. In calculating the weight, multiply the corresponding door weight factor based on the door thickness. You can refer to the manufacturers about the weight of your fiberglass doors.

Door Window Glass

If you bought fiberglass doors with window glass, it also adds to the door's weight. Your glass might take some or almost all of the door's surface. Door window glasses can weigh around 33 to 66 pounds.

How Can You Tell If a Door Is Fiberglass?

When distinguishing fiberglass doors from other types, you can examine the door's surface. Most fiberglass doors mimic wood doors, which can trick one's eye. The stain of your fiberglass can give a wood look, but it is not as natural as wood. For painted doors, check the door more carefully by doing the following:

Feeling The Surface

A good way to differentiate fiberglass doors is by feeling the surface. For wood doors, the surface will remain smooth even after sanding. Fiberglass doors are also smooth, but you will feel like an imprint when you touch the surface.

Checking The Seams

Also, you can check the bottom and sides of the door. Fiberglass doors will not have seams on these areas, unlike other types of doors. Fiberglass doors are from a single panel instead of separate panels bound together.

Knocking The Door

Lastly, you will know if it is a fiberglass door by knocking on it. When you knock on a fiberglass door, the sound is a dull thud instead of a solid knocking sound.

How Much Weight Can Door Hinges Hold?

A hinge in the white door

Door hinges are critical in holding the weight of your door. Your door hinge depends on the weight of the door you plan to install. You will need heavy-duty hinges for hardwood and non-hollow doors. There is a hinge weight rating imprinted to guide you when looking for a suitable door hinge. Door hinge ratings apply for most 3/4 to 1-inch doors. You can also weigh the hinge to get the weight it can hold.

The right door hinge depends on the weight of the door and other considerations below. All of which are important to find out the door hinge type. Also, you have to consider other door hardware, like the screws, to know how much it can support the door's weight.

Door Use Frequency

Door use frequency is the door traffic whenever you open and close the door. If you frequently use the door, it is better to use geared hinges. On the other hand, you can use standard hinges for less frequent door traffic. You can estimate the frequency by the following:

  • High frequency - used more than 25 times a day
  • Medium frequency - used around 10 to 24 times a day
  • Low frequency - used less than 10 times a day

Door Hinge Categories

Bronze hinges on a white background

After considering the weight of your door and the frequency of use, you can now select the hinges. Here are the categories for door hinges:

  • Standard Duty: Best for low- to medium-frequency doors without a frame or reinforcement. This category of hinges can carry up to 200 pounds.
  • Heavy Duty: This is for high-frequency doors weighing up to 200 pounds without a door. You can also use this for low-frequency doors that weigh around 200 to 600 pounds.
  • Heavy Duty (LL): Use this for low-frequency doors that weigh 600 to 1000 pounds. This category is for doors that are very tall, heavy, or wide.

Door Hinges For Fiberglass Doors

A type of hinge used for fiberglass doors is the butt hinge. Butt hinges are common in exterior doors because they can carry heavily weighted doors. The butt hinge has two identical leaves; one side recesses to a mortice and the other to the door jamb. A butt hinge attaches to a knuckle or a curled barrel that allows the door to open.

Get this Onward full-mortise butt hinge on Amazon.

Do Fiberglass Doors Have a Wood Core?

Fiberglass doors do not have a wooden core. Polyurethane foam is the core of a fiberglass door, which is great for insulation. This core is between two fiberglass sheets that prevent damage like warping, rotting, and dents. With this composition, fiberglass doors do not absorb moisture that causes the deterioration of doors. You will not need to have frequent and regular maintenance compared to doors with wood core.

Can You Kick In a Fiberglass Door?

The quick answer is no. There is no luck with kicking in a fiberglass door. The fiberglass door will have no dents when you kick it. Due to the strong structure of fiberglass doors, you will have some serious injuries. As mentioned above, fiberglass doors resist common damages like dents and scratches. Fiberglass doors are so thick that manufacturers include a 12-inch lock block which adds another level of security.

Professional burglars are aware that fiberglass is really tough to break in. There are other ways that you can add additional security measures to your door. Listed below are the things you can do:

  • If you like glass installed in your doors, you can add a double- or triple-paned glass, which also resists breakage.
  • Buy fiberglass doors without windows. If you still want a window, make sure it is not near the door latch. Breaking the glass near the latch mechanism defeats its security purpose.
  • Replace loose or defective door locks. Burglars can still break in if the locks are not in good working condition.
  • Aside from changing the locks, you can add another deadbolt. You can either place it on the top or bottom.
  • Add a strong front porch gate to add another layer of security.

In Closing

Fiberglass might look tough, but in fact, it is lighter than other types of doors. The polyurethane core is the reason behind its lighter weight. Even if light, there are suitable door hinges to carry the weight of fiberglass doors. Also, the weight of the fiberglass door is not directly related to its toughness. If you want to get a light but durable door, choose fiberglass doors now!

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