Honestly, I feel the same way sometimes. My old place had these 1950s doors that barely budged, no matter how humid it got. The newer ones (including ReliaBilt) seem to swell or stick every year. I’m not sure if it’s just cheaper materials or what, but it does get old shaving down the edge every spring. Maybe we just don’t build ‘em like we used to...
Maybe we just don’t build ‘em like we used to...
That’s the truth. My house was built in ’62 and those original doors are still rock solid. The new ones I put in the basement—ReliaBilt included—started sticking after the first wet season. It’s like they’re made to be replaced every decade. Can’t say I miss hauling out the planer, but at this point it’s part of my spring routine. Maybe it’s just the price we pay for “modern” materials...
I get the nostalgia for old-school craftsmanship, but I’m not fully convinced modern doors are all bad. My place was built in ’79 and, honestly, the original solid wood doors look great but they’re heavy as heck and warped over time. When I swapped a couple out for newer composite ones (yeah, ReliaBilt too), I noticed they were way lighter to hang and didn’t suck up moisture like sponges. The trick for me was sealing every edge before installing—especially the bottoms. Missed that once, and it swelled up after a wet winter.
Not saying today’s stuff is perfect, but sometimes it’s just about picking the right material for the spot. I’ve had worse luck with some “premium” brands than with basic box store doors. Maybe it’s a coin toss either way, but I’ll take not having to sand or repaint every few years. Just my two cents...
You nailed it about sealing the edges—bottoms especially get overlooked, and that’s where most of the moisture creeps in. I’ve seen a lot of folks skip that step and end up with swollen or delaminated doors after just one wet season. Composite doors have come a long way, and honestly, for most homes they’re a practical choice. They’re lighter, don’t shift with humidity as much, and you don’t have to baby them like old solid wood.
That said, I still run into jobs where people want the “real wood” look and feel. It’s hard to beat the character, but you’re right—they’re heavy, can warp, and need more attention over the years. I’ve had clients with old hardwood doors that look amazing... until you try to close them in July and they stick like crazy.
I wouldn’t call ReliaBilt perfect, but I’ve seen more issues from installation shortcuts than from the doors themselves. Prepping and finishing properly seems to make all the difference, no matter what brand you go with. Funny enough, some of those “premium” doors are just as prone to trouble if you don’t seal them up right or if the house shifts a bit.
In the end, it’s all about matching the door to your climate and how much maintenance you’re willing to do. If repainting every couple years isn’t your thing, composites are hard to beat.
Prepping and finishing properly seems to make all the difference, no matter what brand you go with.
Honestly, this is spot on. I’ve seen a lot of door complaints over the years, but so many times it comes down to how they were installed and sealed. It’s easy to blame the door itself, but if moisture sneaks in at the bottom edge or around the frame, even the “premium” ones end up with issues.
From an energy efficiency angle, composite doors really do hold up better against drafts and temperature swings. My old house had a solid wood entry that looked great but was a nightmare for keeping out cold air in winter. Swapping to a composite made a noticeable difference on my heating bill—plus way less fiddling with weatherstripping every season.
Still, I get the appeal of real wood. There’s just something about the feel and look that’s hard to fake. But yeah, if you want low maintenance and consistent performance, composites are tough to beat. Maybe not perfect, but I wouldn’t regret choosing one unless you’re really set on that classic wood vibe.
I hear you on the composite doors being easier for energy savings, but I’ve actually seen a few of those start to warp or delaminate after a handful of rough Midwest winters. Not saying wood’s perfect—far from it—but if you’re in a spot with big temp swings or direct sun, sometimes even composites need more TLC than the brochures let on. Prep and install matter, but material choice isn’t always a slam dunk either... guess it’s always some kind of tradeoff.
That’s a fair point—composites aren’t invincible, especially in harsh climates. I’ve actually had better luck with fiberglass doors in those situations, though. They handle thermal expansion a bit differently and don’t absorb moisture like wood or some composites can. Proper sealing and a good storm door help too, but yeah, there’s always something to keep an eye on. It’s wild how much hinges on install quality and little details most folks never see.
It’s wild how much hinges on install quality and little details most folks never see.
No kidding... I learned that the hard way when my door started sticking after our first winter. I thought I’d done everything right, but turns out the threshold wasn’t sealed tight enough. Fiberglass does seem to hold up better than the composite one my neighbor has—his warped a bit after last year’s heat wave. It’s funny, you think doors are just “install and forget,” but there’s always some quirk to figure out.
Funny how it’s always the little stuff that gets you. I’ve swapped out a handful of ReliaBilt doors over the years, and honestly, the install makes or breaks ‘em. Even when you follow the instructions, you can get surprises—shifting frames, thresholds that let in drafts... One job, I thought I’d nailed it, but after a heavy rain, water pooled right at the jamb. Was it the door or the install? Hard to say sometimes. Fiberglass does seem to handle temp swings better, but I’ve seen even those warp if the opening’s not square. Makes you wonder if it’s worth paying extra for “premium” doors, or just spending more time on prep.
Makes you wonder if it’s worth paying extra for “premium” doors, or just spending more time on prep.
Honestly, I’ve found the prep work matters way more than the sticker price. Our last door wasn’t anything fancy, but I spent a couple afternoons fussing with shims and making sure everything was level. Still got a tiny draft the first winter—turns out the subfloor had a dip I missed. Sometimes you do everything right and stuff still pops up later. You’re not alone in second-guessing these things... home projects always find a way to keep us humble.