Do’s and Don’ts of Fiberglass Door Maintenance from a Manufacturer's Perspective
Plastpro Inc. is a leading manufacturer of fiberglass entry doors and has been in business since 1994. We’ve introduced the first fiberglass door with composite stiles and rails, HydroShield technology, and composite Polyfiber Frames to the industry.
Manufacturers, distributers and customers all appreciate a quality product performing well enough that it can be nearly forgotten. We would all prefer not to have dissatisfied customers, especially if it escalates into warranty coverage arguments. Proper maintenance will go a long way towards preventing these conversations by maximizing entry door performance over time. Check out this list of do’s and don’ts that distributors, installers and customers should be aware of to maximize efficiency for everyone involved.
Do:
Use a hard topcoat.
Fiberglass doors require a hard, polyurethane or acrylic topcoat finish. Otherwise in hot environments the weatherstripping may stick to softened paint and damage the door. The door’s topcoat should be reapplied often — every two years if not exposed to direct sunlight and up to every six months if there is no overhang and a lot of direct sunlight.
Protect the lock bore during installation.
Before the lock and hardware are installed, protect the open lock bore to prevent water damage inside the door.
Take extra care to protect outswing doors.
Beware of the additional exposure to the elements that outswing doors without an overhang face — these doors require extra protection during installation and more frequent weatherproofing.
Equip home owners.
Ultimately, the home owner is financially responsible for what happens to the product once it reaches them. But if manufacturers and distributors avoid educating them, arguments and expensive settlements can ensue even if the customer is at fault. The customer should seek maintenance instructions, and we should make them easily accessible — online and attached to the product when possible.
Keep open lines of communication.
After the sale, the best thing manufacturers can do to save everyone time, money and hassle is to keep open lines of communication. If manufacturers, distributors, and installers are accessible, owners are more likely to troubleshoot and take preventative steps before any big issue arises.
Don’t:
Bend to impractical trends.
For example, black doors are currently popular, but more prone to heat damage and less likely to age well. Be mindful of paint and stain colors generally. Particularly in hot climates or in entrances without an overhang, light colors perform better, as they are less likely to absorb damaging UV rays.
Power wash doors.
This is a popular chore, but doors with glass inserts should be hand washed; power washing can cause damage to the seal, leaks, and foggy glass. Encourage customers to engage with maintenance information from Day 1. Set them up well with the correct topcoat and point them to the manufacturer’s care and maintenance instructions.
At Plastpro, we know people will be drawn to DIY projects, so we provide easily accessible maintenance instructions, approachable how-to guides and blog posts for guidance. If manufacturers aim to be go-to sources for this information, and distributers and installers point customers to our websites, these practices should go a long way to making everyone’s job easier.
Latest from NAHBNow
May 01, 2025
Podcast: As GDP Contracts, NAHB Fights NIMBYs and an Exec OrderOn the latest episode of NAHB’s podcast, Housing Developments, CEO Jim Tobin and COO Paul Lopez discuss economic policies and performance, NAHB advocacy and how an upcoming Supreme Court case may affect NAHB’s legal advocacy efforts.
May 01, 2025
Remodeling Market Poised for Growth as the Age of Owner-Occupied Homes IncreasesTo kick off National Home Remodeling Month in May, which promotes the benefits of hiring a professional remodeler and is sponsored by Westlake Royal Building Products, NAHB has highlighted recent data from the American Community Survey that shows almost half of the owner-occupied homes in the U.S. were built before 1980 and have a median age of 41 years. The aging housing stock, combined with insufficient new home inventory, indicates the remodeling market is poised for future growth.
Latest Economic News
May 01, 2025
Housing’s Share of the Economy Grows Higher to Start the YearHousing’s share of the economy grew to 16.4% in the first quarter of 2025, according to the advance estimate of GDP produced by the Bureau of Economic Analysis. This is the highest reading since the third quarter of 2022 and is up 0.2 percentage points from the fourth quarter of 2024.
Apr 30, 2025
U.S. Economy Contracted in First Quarter of 2025The U.S. economy contracted in the first quarter of 2025 for the first time in three years, driven by a sharp surge in pre-tariff imports, softening consumer spending, and a decline in government spending.
Apr 30, 2025
House Sharing is Not Just for Young AdultsA record-high 6.8 million households shared their housing with unrelated housemates, roommates or boarders in 2023. While college-age and young adults make up the largest subset of house sharers (close to 41%), this type of living arrangement is gaining popularity among older householders fastest, with the 55+ segment accounting for 30% of all house-sharing households in 2023.