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Door research and data

The three numbers homeowners look for are installed cost, expected lifespan and resale return. As of 2026, Homewyse puts exterior door installation at $957–$1,458 per door nationally; industry lifespan estimates run roughly 30–50 years for fiberglass, 30+ for steel and 20–40 for wood; and published entry-door ROI figures disagree sharply, from about 82% to 188% depending on which report year is quoted.

Cost. Homewyse's May 2026 national estimate is $957–$1,458 per door for a basic exterior door install. Project-level guides put full entry-door replacement wider, around $1,200–$6,000+ installed, split into tiers of roughly $1,200–$2,200, $2,200–$3,800 and $3,800–$8,000+. The gap between the two is options: glass, sidelights, hardware, and opening changes.

Lifespan. Published estimates by material are wide and exposure-dependent: fiberglass roughly 30–50 years, steel 30 years and up, wood roughly 20–40 with regular refinishing. Treat the upper bounds as best case under an overhang with maintenance.

Return on investment. This is where you should be most careful. One 2026 summary of the Cost vs. Value data gives steel entry door replacement about $2,214 in cost against $1,811 in resale value — roughly 82% recouped. Other widely-circulated articles cite 188% for the same project, drawing on the 2024 report. A figure that swings by more than 100 percentage points between sources is not a fact you should plan around.

Tax. The Section 25C credit for ENERGY STAR exterior doors was $250 per door and $500 total, and applied to qualifying property placed in service before December 31, 2025. That is a documented change, not a rumor — verify current status on the IRS page before relying on any incentive.

How to choose

Prefer ranges over averages
A national average for 'a door' spans a steel back door and a glass-and-sidelight entry. The tiered ranges describe real projects better.
Check which report year an ROI figure comes from
The 188% figure traces to the 2024 Cost vs. Value data. A 2026 summary shows about 82%. Always ask which year.
Treat lifespan claims as exposure-dependent
The same door under a deep porch and in full weather will not land in the same part of its published range.
Verify tax incentives at the source
Go to the IRS page and your state energy office. Do not accept a contractor's summary of a credit as current.
Get local quotes before trusting any national number
Labor rates and permit costs vary widely by market. Three local itemized quotes beat any published average.
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FAQ

Doors research — common questions

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There isn't a single one. Homewyse's $957–$1,458 per door (May 2026) is a reasonable baseline for a basic exterior install; entry-door projects with glass and sidelights realistically run $1,200 to $6,000+ installed. Use three local itemized quotes as your real number.
Different report years and different regional samples. A 2026 summary shows about 82% of cost recouped; widely-shared articles cite 188% from the 2024 data. Always check the vintage of the figure before using it.
Published estimates run roughly 30–50 years for fiberglass, 30+ for steel and 20–40 for wood. Exposure and maintenance decide where a given door falls within that.
The 25C credit — $250 per door, $500 total for ENERGY STAR doors — applied to property placed in service before December 31, 2025. Check the IRS page for current status before budgeting any credit.
Sources

Where these figures come from

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