I've been looking at fiberglass doors and received a quote for around $1500 for a Therma-Tru door. I found a similar door at Lowe's priced at just $449. The only noticeable distinction I see is that the more expensive door has a composite frame, while the Lowe's option has a wood frame. I'm curious about what other factors might justify this huge $1051 price gap. By the way, the $1500 door is also unfinished—it's neither primed nor painted, unlike the Lowe's model.
2 Answers
You should also consider the jamb thickness of the door frame. Sometimes, thicker jambs can lead to higher prices. The thickness could also affect durability. I've heard that products at big box stores can be made from cheaper materials compared to specialized retailers, even if they're the same brand and model. Might be worth looking into the specifics!
The Lowe's door you're looking at is indeed unfinished, meaning you'll need to paint it before installation. If you check out the finished versions at Lowe's, like the black one, they run around $1600, which is closer to your quote. So, just keep in mind the finishing aspect increases the price significantly.