Many homes have a crawl space underneath them. Without a door, these spaces are left open to the weather and pesky critters. If this space isn’t properly closed off, it might lead to significant changes in temperature. These changes can make your home uncomfortable or, worse, cause your plumbing pipes to burst.
Putting in a crawl space door is a big step in keeping your home safe. It can also reduce your energy bills by preventing drastic temperature changes. Yet, there are a lot of different materials you can use for crawl space doors, each with its own benefits and drawbacks.
Options Available for Crawl Space Doors
When choosing the best material for your crawl space door, you have several different choices. By learning about these materials, you can choose the best one for your home based on what you like and need.
Wood
Many crawl space doors are made from plywood. Plywood is a traditional material that offers many advantages. It’s simple to cut, so you can make a door that fits just right, keeping out unwanted stuff.
Adding a layer of paint to a wooden door keeps it safe from water damage and wear and tear. You can choose a paint or stain to match the color of your home, creating a cohesive look on your property.
Wooden doors need regular care, such as staining, painting, or sealing, to stop warping and rot. Crawl space doors are continually exposed to the elements, making them vulnerable to damage, including pest damage, if they are not properly maintained.
Vinyl
Vinyl doors are naturally moisture-resistant, making them a leading material for crawl space doors. Unlike other materials, vinyl doesn’t rot, warp, or decay when exposed to moisture. Vinyl doors are also highly durable and can withstand many weather conditions, including rain, snow, and UV radiation.
Compared to other materials, vinyl doors are lightweight and easy to install. Their weight also reduces the strain on hardware, extending the door's lifespan. Because of their durability and longevity, vinyl doors are also a more cost-effective option.
Vinyl crawl space doors only require a little maintenance to keep them working at their best. Other doors require routine painting, sealing, or staining to protect against moisture and UV damage. Occasionally, cleaning it with soap and water is sufficient to remove dirt and mildew buildup.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass crawl spaces have several advantages. They are stable and don’t rust, soak up water, rot, or let in insects. Fiberglass doors also keep their shape and strength, even when the weather gets rough.
Fiberglass is moisture resistant like vinyl, making it suitable for damp and humid places. Using fiberglass as your crawl space door means you’re less likely to have problems with mold, mildew, and other moisture-related issues developing in your crawlspace.
This material also means you can choose from various designs, styles, and finishes. Whether you want a classic style or something made just for you, fiberglass offers many options. It can be painted or stained to resemble wood and other materials.
Steel
Steel crawl space doors last long and withstand many weather conditions, such as extremely hot and cold temperatures, heavy rain, and heavy wind. This resistance means it won’t break down easily.
A steel crawl space door requires little maintenance. You won’t have to paint or seal it often to continue benefiting from its protection. Washing it with soap and water will keep it looking clean and functioning well.
While steel might not keep the cold or heat out as well as other materials, you can add special foam inserts to improve its ability to control the temperature. These additional inserts can help you save on energy bills and keep your home more comfortable.
Plastic: The Ultimate Choice
Plastic crawl space doors are the least expensive and work for families on a strict budget. Because they are light, they are easy to install.
These doors often use polyvinyl chloride (PVC) in their design. High-quality PVC can make plastic doors last longer in damp or stormy weather. But how long they last also depends on what kind of plastic they’re made of and how thick it is. Our quality doors will last a long time and use PVC.
Plastic is the best at keeping the heat in or out, which means it might not make your home more energy-friendly or keep you as comfortable. However, the insulating capabilities improve when combined with insulation inserts or foam cores.
While they will provide a barrier, plastic doors aren’t as strong as materials like steel, but that may be overkill for the average home.
Shop for Crawl Space Doors Today
Now that you’ve learned about the various crawl space door materials, you're ready to make the best choice for your needs. Here at Cathmer, we offer high-quality PVC crawl space doors delivered straight to your door shop today or contact us for more information.