What's the best exterior door material for a home in Saint John that faces the harbor and gets constant wind?

For a harbor-facing home in Saint John, fiberglass is your best choice — it handles the Bay of Fundy's salt air, extreme winds, and temperature swings better than any other material.

Saint John's harbor location puts your door through serious punishment. You're dealing with salt spray that corrodes metal components, winds that can exceed 80 km/h during storms, and those brutal freeze-thaw cycles that split wood and warp cheaper materials. The Bay of Fundy's unique conditions — including fog, high humidity, and storm surge — demand a door that won't deteriorate after a few seasons.

Fiberglass doors excel in marine environments because they don't absorb moisture, won't rot like wood, and resist salt corrosion better than steel. Look for doors with polyurethane foam cores for insulation (critical during those -25°C January nights) and reinforced frames. Quality fiberglass doors from manufacturers like Masonite or Therma-Tru run $800-$2,500 installed, depending on style and glass options.

Steel doors are your second choice if budget is tight ($400-$1,200 installed), but you'll need galvanized or stainless steel hardware — regular steel hardware will rust within two years in Saint John's salt air. Apply marine-grade primer and paint every 3-4 years to prevent corrosion. Avoid basic steel doors with magnetic weatherstripping; they'll fail quickly in high winds.

Skip wood entirely for harbor-facing exposure. Even cedar or mahogany with marine finishes require annual maintenance and will eventually succumb to the moisture. I've seen beautiful wooden doors on Water Street properties that looked great for five years, then needed complete replacement.

Installation is critical — your door needs proper flashing, marine-grade sealants, and a storm door rated for coastal winds. The installer should understand Saint John's building requirements and use stainless steel fasteners throughout. Poor installation will void warranties and create air leaks that cost hundreds in heating bills.

Contact the City of Saint John's building department at (506) 658-2835 if you're replacing the entire door assembly — some installations require permits, especially in heritage areas of Uptown Saint John.

Find experienced door installers familiar with coastal installations in our New Brunswick Construction Network directory — they'll know which products perform best in Saint John's challenging harbor environment.