Should You Choose Aluminium Doors Instead of Wooden Ones?

Choosing the Right Door Starts with the Right Material

Choosing the right exterior door for your home (or your client’s next project) isn’t just about picking something that looks good. The material you choose affects everything from the door’s durability and maintenance needs to its energy efficiency and long-term value. Among the most popular choices are wooden and aluminium doors. Both are solid contenders, each with its own character and advantages.

Wood has long been a favourite for its warmth, natural grain, and timeless appeal. Aluminium, on the other hand, has become the go-to for those who prefer a modern, low-maintenance option that stands up well to the elements. But which is the better choice for you?

Why the Material You Choose Makes All the Difference

When it comes to exterior doors, the material is the backbone of your home’s comfort, security, and longevity. The right door material will stand up to daily use, unpredictable weather, and shifting design trends, all while complementing your home’s architecture.

In South Africa, where conditions range from coastal humidity and salt air to dry inland heat, your choice of door material can dramatically impact how long it lasts and how much effort it takes to maintain. Wooden doors can swell, warp, or fade under prolonged exposure, while aluminium doors offer impressive resistance to moisture, UV rays, and temperature swings.

The material also affects energy efficiency, maintenance costs, and even curb appeal. These factors contribute to the long-term value of your home or project. That’s why understanding how aluminium and wooden doors perform in these areas is key to making a decision that balances practicality with design vision.

The Pros of Aluminium Exterior Doors

Aluminium doors have earned their popularity for good reason. They combine sleek, modern design with performance features that make them ideal for both residential and professional spaces. If you’re weighing up your options, here’s what makes aluminium exterior doors stand out:

1. Long-Lasting Durability

Aluminium is naturally strong and corrosion-resistant, which makes it a great fit for South Africa’s varied climates. This is especially true for coastal areas, where moisture and salt air can wear down other materials. With proper installation, an aluminium door can easily last decades without warping or rotting.

2. Minimal Maintenance

Unlike wooden doors, which need periodic sanding, varnishing, or repainting, aluminium doors only need a quick clean now and then to stay in top shape. No flaking paint, no termites, no swelling in humid weather. A quick wipe-down and you’re good to go.

3. Modern Aesthetic Appeal

With their clean lines and slim frames, aluminium doors perfectly suit contemporary homes and offices. They can also be powder-coated in a range of finishes and colours, so you can match your door to your design style.

4. Weather and UV Resistance

Aluminium is resistant to warping, cracking, or fading when exposed to sun, wind, or rain. That makes it a reliable option for exterior use and a smart long-term investment in areas with harsh or unpredictable weather.

5. Energy Efficiency & Sustainability

Modern aluminium doors are often available with thermal breaks, which are built-in insulation layers that significantly reduce heat transfer. Many models from Doors Direct include this feature, which boosts energy efficiency and makes aluminium a strong choice for South Africa’s climate. Aluminium is also 100% recyclable. Unlike wood (which is, of course, recyclable too), it can be reprocessed repeatedly without losing strength or quality, making it one of the most sustainable modern materials available.

6. Security and Structural Integrity

Because aluminium is lightweight but strong, it supports high-quality locking systems and large glass panels without compromising safety. That combination of strength and design flexibility is one of the reasons aluminium doors are popular in both residential and commercial builds.

The Cons of Aluminium Exterior Doors

While aluminium doors shine in performance and style, no material is flawless. They still come with a few things to weigh up before you decide. The upside is that most of these are easy to manage once you understand them.

1. Upfront Cost Can Vary

There’s a common misconception that aluminium doors are always more expensive than wooden ones, but that’s not necessarily true. In South Africa, prices depend heavily on design, finish, and size. Standard aluminium doors are often comparable in price to solid timber doors, and are sometimes even more affordable. Premium aluminium designs (custom powder coating, large glass inserts, advanced locks) can cost more upfront. The key difference is longevity and maintenance: aluminium generally offers better long-term value because it doesn’t require regular varnishing, sanding, or weatherproofing like wood does.

2. Heat Conductivity

Because aluminium is a metal, it naturally conducts heat more efficiently than wood. In older door systems, this could make the inside surface warmer in summer or cooler in winter. As mentioned earlier, however, modern aluminium doors often use thermal breaks, which dramatically reduce heat transfer and improve energy efficiency.

3. Limited Customisation Options

If you’re after intricate carvings or natural grain patterns, aluminium can’t quite match the artistic flexibility of timber. Its appeal lies more in sleek, minimalistic design. This is perfect for modern architecture, but less so for heritage or traditional aesthetics.

4. Prone to Light Surface Marks

While aluminium is very strong, its surface can show scratches or scuffs if knocked by heavy objects. The fix is simple: choose a durable powder-coated finish designed for high-traffic use, which hides minor imperfections and maintains a clean look.

5. Professional Installation Recommended

Aluminium doors are precision-engineered, which means proper installation is key. Unlike some wooden doors that can be trimmed or adjusted on-site, aluminium frames generally require exact alignment to ensure smooth operation and full insulation performance. It’s worth bringing in a pro for this part. Even with these small considerations, aluminium doors remain a top choice for homeowners and designers looking for strength, minimal maintenance, and long-lasting style in South Africa’s varied climate.

The Pros of Wooden Exterior Doors

There’s a reason wood has been used for doors for centuries. It brings a warmth and character that few materials can match. Wooden exterior doors remain a favourite among homeowners, architects, and designers who value craftsmanship, tradition, and natural beauty.

1. Timeless, Natural Aesthetic

Wood’s unique grain patterns, textures, and tones make every door one of a kind. Whether you prefer a rich mahogany finish, a pale oak wash, or something custom-stained to match your palette, wooden doors add instant warmth and charm to any façade. They also pair beautifully with a wide range of architectural styles, from classic Cape Dutch to modern farmhouse.

2. Highly Customisable

If you have a specific vision in mind, wood is one of the easiest materials to shape and personalise. It can be carved, panelled, painted, or stained to suit your home’s style. You can even update its look later without replacing the entire door.

3. Naturally Insulating

Wood is an excellent natural insulator, meaning it helps keep indoor temperatures comfortable year-round. It doesn’t transfer heat or cold easily, which can make a subtle but welcome difference to your home’s energy efficiency.

4. Repairable and Refinishable

Small dents, scratches, or weathering marks? No problem. Wooden doors can be sanded and refinished multiple times, giving it a longer aesthetic life and the ability to be restored to “like-new” condition with a little effort.

5. Adds Perceived Value and Curb Appeal

A high-quality wooden front door can enhance a home’s overall appeal and even its market value. Many homeowners still associate solid timber with luxury and quality craftsmanship, making it a strong visual statement as well as a functional one.

The Cons of Wooden Exterior Doors

Wooden doors may be timeless, but they’re not without their challenges. Before deciding, it’s worth knowing what kind of upkeep and environmental factors come with the territory, especially in South Africa’s often unpredictable climate.

1. Regular Maintenance Required

Unlike aluminium, wood needs periodic attention to keep it looking good and performing well. Exposure to the elements means you’ll likely need to sand, seal, or varnish your door every few years to prevent fading, cracking, or peeling. Skipping maintenance can considerably shorten its lifespan.

2. Vulnerability to Weather and Moisture

In humid or coastal regions, wood can absorb moisture and expand or contract as temperatures change. Over time, that can lead to warping or swelling, making the door difficult to close properly. Timber also tends to fade faster in direct sunlight unless treated with a UV-protective finish.

3. Pest and Rot Concerns

Termites, wood-boring insects, and fungi all see untreated timber as an invitation. While most modern wooden doors are pre-treated, ongoing protection (like periodic re-sealing) is still necessary, particularly in older homes or damp environments.

4. Weight and Structural Shifts

Solid timber doors can be heavy. Over time, that weight may put strain on hinges or frames, leading to sagging if the hardware isn’t properly installed or maintained. Regular checks help, but it’s an extra layer of care that aluminium doors typically don’t require.

5. Cost Variability

Wooden doors range widely in price. Softwoods are relatively affordable, while premium hardwoods can be quite expensive. When you factor in finishing products and maintenance supplies, the overall cost can creep higher than expected over the door’s lifetime. Despite these challenges, many homeowners still choose wood for its warmth, customisability, and classic appeal, accepting the upkeep as part of the charm.

Aluminium vs Wooden Doors: Which Should You Choose?

At this point, it’s clear there’s no one-size-fits-all answer. Both aluminium and wooden doors have their strengths. The best choice really depends on your lifestyle, your local climate, and how much time you’re willing to dedicate to upkeep.

If you love an elegant, natural aesthetic (that you can customise) and don’t mind a little maintenance now and then, wooden doors still have a timeless charm that’s hard to beat. They’re perfect for traditional homes, heritage restorations, or any project where character and craftsmanship take centre stage.

But if you’d prefer a sleek, modern, low-maintenance solution that’s designed to handle South Africa’s diverse conditions, then aluminium doors are the smarter long-term option. 

To make the decision easier, here’s a quick side-by-side summary:

In short, choose aluminium if you want a durable, contemporary door that requires little effort to maintain and stands up to South African weather. Choose wood if you prioritise natural beauty, texture, and tradition and don’t mind putting in a bit of care to preserve it.

The Verdict: Aluminium or Wood?

Both aluminium and wooden doors have their place. It really comes down to what suits your home, your budget, and your maintenance comfort level. Wood brings undeniable warmth and personality, while aluminium delivers strength, simplicity, and long-term ease.

For many South African homes, aluminium doors strike the best balance between style, performance, and practicality. They’re built to handle the climate, resist wear and tear, and look effortlessly modern while doing it. That combination makes them a smart, future-proof investment whether you’re renovating, building, or specifying materials for a client.

That said, there’s something timeless about wooden doors. Their natural warmth, rich grain, and customisable finishes make them an enduring favourite for classic and contemporary homes alike. With proper care, a solid timber door adds lasting beauty and value to any entrance.

Whether you prefer modern aluminium or traditional wood, our team is here to help you find the perfect fit and deliver it nationwide. Explore our Door Collection today.