Hello!

This is my first time buying a door, new homeowner, and we are looking at replacing our external sliding door. I’ve heard that timber external doors can require a lot of upkeep, does anyone have one and is that true? Does anyone have an opinion on which would be better to get?


Want more real mum questions sent to you?

You'll need to check this email to complete your signup.
  • Outdoor timber doors tend to swell when they get wet or in hot weather.


  • If it’s a sliding door I’d choose metal. If it’s a bi-fold door, I’d choose wood.


  • I think metal is easier to maintain and not as sensitive for impact of weather, wear & tear


  • yeah depends. take care of it and it will last a lot longer. it is the weather and lack of wood treatment, that wrecks it


  • I have a metal one – I’d suggest contacting a door supplier and enquiring. May also depend where you live ie door may need revarnishing more frequently if you’re in a humid area


  • Only have wood front door and glass slidling doors so i couldnt really compare them to a product i have never had.. we have the wooden door and have found them to be great .


  • Is the door exposed to the weather or well protected??. The paint or stain on a wooden door needs maintenance about every 5 years. Most houses now have a strong security door even if you have a wooden one. If you shop around there is various patterns and colours in security doors. You can have sliding security doors as far as I know. Make sure the wire it in is strong even if they cost you a bit more. The wire in some is very flimsy. I have seen one on a sliding door with a small hole at the bottom where a bird kept trying to get to its reflection in the glass.


  • Wood does look good and metal is easier to maintain and requires less maintenance, but it depends on the style of your home and the look you want for the door. We have metal doors and they just keep going and going and still look good after years and years of wear and tear.


  • I must admit love wooden doors, depending on your house style, stain and varnish not paint looks best. Metal are easier up keep so choice must be yours


  • I just love the look of wood but there is a lot of up keep with it and they also swell with the different seasons and sometimes get hard to move … be nice if they made a metal door that looked like wood hey.


  • I think a glass door would be the one that would last the longest with very little up keep:).


  • I have found over the years that metal/aluminium is best as wood tends to swell over time and then it’s impossible to slide open your door.


Post your reply
Add a photo
Your MoM account


Lost your password?

Enter your email and a password below to post your answer and join MoM:

↥ Back to top

Thanks For Your Star Rating!

Would you like to add a written rating or just a star rating?

Write A Rating Just A Star Rating
Join