Choosing a door is one of those decisions you only want to make once.
If you are renovating a home or managing a building, you know that our climate is demanding. We deal with damp autumns, freezing winters, and salty coastal air. A door that looks great in a catalog might swell, warp, or rust within two years if it isn’t built for these conditions.
At SIA Kurz, we work with metal every day. However, we know that steel isn’t the only option on the market. To help you make the best decision for your specific situation, we have broken down exactly why and in which cases you should opt for steel, and when you might want to look elsewhere.
The 3 Main Reasons to Choose Steel
Unlike wood (which is alive and moves with humidity) or PVC (which is essentially plastic), steel is rigid and static. Here is why that matters:
1. You Need “Set It and Forget It” Durability
The biggest enemy of doors in Latvia is moisture. Wood absorbs water, causing it to swell in November and shrink in July. This leads to doors that stick, rub against the frame, or let in drafts.
The Steel Advantage: Steel does not change shape. A steel door installed today will fit the frame exactly the same way in 10 years, regardless of rain or snow. If you want low maintenance, steel is the practical winner.
2. Security is a Priority
This is the most obvious differentiator. PVC doors can often be forced open by targeting the hinges or locking points. Wooden doors can be kicked in or drilled.
The Steel Advantage: A proper steel door (look for steel sheet thickness of at least 1.0mm – 1.5mm) is effectively a shield. It is the standard choice for remote country houses, ground floor apartments, or businesses storing valuable equipment.
3. You Require Fire Safety (The Legal Requirement)
In many cases, your choice of door isn’t about preference, it’s about the law.
The Case for Steel: If you are installing a door for a boiler room, a garage connected to a living space, or a public building exit, you likely need a door with an EI30 or EI60 fire rating. This rating means the door can contain fire and smoke for 30 to 60 minutes. Wood and plastic generally cannot meet these strict standards.
Scenarios: When Should You Choose Steel?
If you find yourself in one of these situations, steel is almost certainly your best option:
The Exposed Entrance. Does your door face the open wind and rain without a porch roof? Wood varnish will peel quickly in these conditions. A powder-coated steel door is sealed against corrosion and UV rays.
The Non-Standard Opening. Many older masonry buildings have door frames that are not standard sizes. While you can order custom wood doors, they often come with a massive price tag and long lead times. Local steel manufacturers (like us) can weld a frame to exact millimeter measurements much faster.
The Rental Property. If you are renting out an apartment or commercial space, tenants can be rough on doors. Steel withstands impact, scratches, and heavy daily use much better than softer materials.
When Should You NOT Choose Steel?
To be completely transparent, steel isn’t always the right aesthetic or functional choice. You might prefer Wood or PVC if:
-
You want a complex, carved aesthetic: If you are restoring a historic wooden manor and need intricate 19th-century wood carvings, steel cannot replicate that look authentically.
-
It is an interior door: For a bedroom or bathroom, steel is usually overkill. It is heavier and more expensive than a simple hollow-core wooden door.
-
Budget is the only factor: If you need the cheapest possible temporary door for a shed or garden hut, a basic PVC or thin laminate door will be cheaper upfront (though it likely won’t last as long).
A Note on Insulation (The Cold Myth)
A common misconception is that “metal is cold, so the door will be cold.” This is false for modern doors. High-quality steel doors are built like a sandwich. The outer metal skins protect a thick core of rock wool or insulating foam. This creates a thermal break that keeps the warmth inside your home just as effectively as a solid wood door, which has natural micro-cracks.
Summary
-
Choose Wood: For historic restoration and interior aesthetics.
-
Choose PVC: For low-security garden exits or tight budgets.
-
Choose Steel: For main entrances, security, fire safety, and harsh weather resistance.
Do you have a non-standard doorway or specific security needs? We are happy to answer your questions. We manufacture right here in Aizpute, so we understand the local buildings and the local weather.
