Best Exterior Doors For Cold Weather

As a Canadian homeowner, you know that our winters are no joke. If you live in Northern BC, Alberta, or the Prairies, you’re likely accustomed to knee-deep snow, sub-zero temperatures, bone-chilling winds, and snow coverage for upwards of half the year. While we take pride in our resilience to cold weather, we don’t have to settle for being chilly inside our homes, too!

Your home needs to be properly insulated to keep you and your family warm efficiently. You may already know that windows are a key component of insulation, but did you know that your front door is just as important in keeping your house’s climate consistent? While they’re often overlooked when it comes to winter-proofing the house, exterior doors make a big difference in comfort levels, energy efficiency, and ultimately, your utility bills.

If you’ve ever stood near your front door in January and felt a cold pocket or a draft, chances are your front door isn’t doing its job. Poor insulation and warped materials, especially on older doors, can make your house colder than it needs to be. The good news is that exterior door technology has come a long way over the past several years.

At Jesko Windows and Doors, we provide Canadian homeowners with high-quality, European-made home finishes that use advanced engineering and construction to perform at a top level. If it’s time to upgrade your home and you're wondering which are the best exterior doors for cold weather, read on. This guide will walk you through what to look for and how to make the right choice for your home.

A home’s ultra-modern, minimalist entryway, shot facing directly towards the black uPVC front door. The walls and ceiling are a bright white, and the floor is made of white marble. To the right, a minimalist wooden bannister stands. Behind it, a small, green, simple velvet seat built into the wall complements the potted green monstera plant to the left.

Factors to Consider When Choosing Exterior Doors for Cold Climates

1. Material

Each type of exterior door material has its benefits and drawbacks, and no single door will meet every home’s needs. Here’s an overview of the most common types of door materials and how they handle cold weather:

Aluminum Doors

Aluminum exterior doors are often underestimated when it comes to cold weather, but with thermal breaks and an insulated core, they become an excellent choice for withstanding the elements.

Pros: Lightweight, strong, corrosion-resistant, and secure.
Cons: Models without insulation can feel cold to the touch.

If you’re looking for a modern look, security, and long-term durability, aluminum doors are a great choice.

uPVC Doors

uPVC exterior doors offer excellent insulation and are very budget-friendly while being long-lasting.

Pros: Excellent weather resistance, high energy efficiency, no warping, and very low maintenance.
Cons: Not as impact-resistant as aluminum or wood.

uPVC doors are well suited to anyone looking for reliable performance at a reasonable price.

Wood Doors

Wooden exterior doors offer a great deal of visual appeal, but in Canadian winters, they require commitment.

Pros: Timelessly beautiful while offering great insulation.
Cons: High maintenance, susceptible to warping, and not ideal for areas with heavy snow or moisture.

Wood doors can be a solid choice if you’re willing to put in the time to regularly maintain your wood doors in exchange for aesthetic quality.

Composite Doors

Composite exterior doors combine multiple materials, including wood, uPVC, and glass-reinforced plastic (GRP) within a single door.

Pros: Great insulation, moisture resistance, and a premium feel.
Cons: More expensive than alternatives.

Composite doors are another great, low-maintenance, high-performance choice, but they come at a steeper price tag than aluminum or uPVC.

A vertical photo of a black, aluminum exterior door. The door’s right-hand-oriented aluminum handle is a minimalist silver metal bar extending from the top of the door to the bottom. A highly reflective vertical window is in the wall directly to the left of the door frame.

2. Energy Efficiency

When considering winter weather resistance, energy efficiency is critical. The best front doors for cold weather keep your house warm for longer and reduce your monthly energy bill, saving money in the long term. Here’s what to look for:

R-value

R-value tells you how well a material resists heat from passing through it. The higher the R-value, the better a material is at retaining heat during winter and blocking it during summer; in other words, it provides better insulation and reduces heat loss. Doors with higher R-values are essential in cold climates, as they help keep your home warm and reduce your heating costs.

U-factor

U-factor, meanwhile, measures the opposite: how easily heat can pass through a given material. The lower the U-factor, the less heat escapes. In freezing Canadian winters, a door with a low U-factor can make a noticeable difference in your comfort.

As U-factor and R-value measure the inverse of each other, you’ll want to find an exterior door with either a high R-value (indicating strong insulation) or a low U-value (indicating minimal heat loss).

Insulated Cores

Many modern exterior doors feature cores filled with insulating foam, typically polyurethane or polystyrene. These cores enhance a door’s thermal performance by minimizing heat transfer at a far superior level than the door’s material would be able to achieve on its own.

Thermal Breaks

Thermal breaks are key features in aluminum doors. They’re barriers made of low-thermally conductive materials, such as polyurethane, that interrupt the flow of thermal energy from the exterior metal surface to the interior, reducing heat loss. This allows metal doors to be far more energy-efficient in winter.

3. Durability and Weather Resistance

A good cold-weather door should resist snow, rain, sleet, and ice. The last thing any homeowner wants is for their new door to fail after its first winter! Here are the key durability indicators to look for:

Quality Construction

Solid construction is a must for withstanding harsh weather. Doors with reinforced edges, sturdy cores, and quality hinges will not only last longer but also provide better insulation and security.

Weather-Resistant Finishes

A durable finish helps a door stay looking and functioning at its best. Powder coatings and UV-resistant paints protect against moisture and sun damage, keeping your door from peeling, fading, or cracking.

Moisture Resistance

Doors that resist moisture are less likely to swell or rot over time. This is especially important in areas with high exposure to snow or rain. Materials like uPVC and composite excel in this department.

A medium shot of a modern, slate-grey house. The house consumes the entire frame, with a garage to the left, set forward slightly, and the front door entrance to the right, set back. The garage door and front door are vivid red, adding stark contrast to the image. A short, manicured, pompom pine topiary tree stands alone in a square patch of white rock gravel. At the very top edge of the frame, on the garage side wall, sits the address number "17" in aluminum silver. The image evokes a striking, surreal feeling.

4. Seals and Weatherstripping

Even the best front door for Canadian weather can be compromised by poor sealing, especially in cold climates. Good weatherstripping makes a considerable difference in preventing drafts and heat loss around the edges of your door, while also keeping pests and moisture out. These are some of the most common types of weatherstripping:

Tension Seal Weatherstripping

Tension seal weatherstripping, also known as V-strip weatherstripping, is made from a strip of vinyl or metal folded into a V-shape that presses against the frame and the door when it’s closed, creating a weather-resistant seal. It’s a highly durable option that becomes nearly invisible when the door is closed.

Compression Seal Weatherstripping

Compression seals are typically a tube made from rubber, vinyl, or another flexible material that is compressed between the door and the door frame. Unlike tension seals, which push against the door and the door frame, compression seals rely on the door being tightly shut.

Felt Weatherstripping

Felt has been traditionally used to seal doors and is one of the least expensive weatherstripping options. However, it isn’t durable and doesn’t provide adequate insulation.

A highly durable weatherstripping option, such as tension seal, will be best in colder climates at maximizing insulation and resisting moisture.

5. Professional Installation

Ultimately, professional installation is a necessity when considering a new exterior door. You can purchase the most energy-efficient, top-of-the-line door on the market, but if it’s installed poorly, it won’t perform. Gaps, misalignment, and weak seals can all ruin your investment.

We always recommend professional installation performed by experienced technicians. Professional installation takes the guesswork out of the process, so you can feel confident and start enjoying the benefits of improved installation right away. When choosing your door, be sure to select a company that offers installation services.

A modern home entryway, viewed from the exterior. The visible exterior wall is white, and a rectangular alcove is cut out of its face. Flat stone steps stretch along the house’s side leading up to the alcove, which contains a small porch area, a vertical glass window equipped with exterior blinds, and an aluminum front door. On the porch stand two children’s bikes, one turquoise and one magenta. An unusual Christmas tree decoration stands on the right of the porch, conical and made of some textured natural material. A string of unlit lights wraps around its form.

Exterior Door Materials and Their Suitability for Canadian Winters

Now that you understand what goes into a great cold-weather, winter-resistance door, how does each material stack up?

Aluminum

Aluminum may not seem like the most obvious choice for resisting cold temperatures, but modern aluminum doors are remarkably energy-efficient, thanks to advanced insulation technology. When filled with an insulated foam core, aluminum doors retain heat well. They’re also incredibly durable and resistant to warping, cracking, corrosion, and weathering, and metal provides an added layer of security. Combined with a sleek, minimalist look that homeowners love, aluminum doors are a quality choice for cold-weather climates.

At Jesko Windows and Doors, we offer aluminum doors in a range of colours and window designs to help you find the perfect look for your home.

uPVC

uPVC doors are an excellent choice for cold weather, offering a balance of durability, energy efficiency, and value. Since they’re moisture-resistant, don't warp or swell, and require minimal maintenance to keep them looking their best, they’re highly resistant against even the most unforgiving outdoor conditions. Their thermal performance is exceptional, and they effectively handle Canada’s seasonal cycles. If you're looking for a cost-effective and low-maintenance option, uPVC delivers.

Our uPVC doors are highly customizable and available in a wide range of natural-coloured finishes and window design options.

Wood

Wood exterior doors offer natural beauty and a traditional look that suits many homes. However, the classic appearance of wooden doors doesn’t mean they lack modern insulation technology. Modern wood doors are constructed using high-quality wood panels that are engineered for both durability and insulation, coupled with an insulating core filling. While they’re more prone to warping and cracking in cold and damp climates than aluminum and uPVC, they can still provide years of service with regular maintenance.

Composite

Composite doors combine multiple materials, such as wood, uPVC, glass-reinforced plastic, and foam to deliver strength and insulation. They’re built to resist moisture and temperature swings while mimicking the look of a wood door. Composite doors offer excellent thermal insulation, but may still warp or crack, and are more expensive than alternatives.

A close-in shot of a home’s front entrance. Warm, somewhat rustic-looking wood planks cover the space to the left of the frame and surround a plain, white exterior door. Its handle and locking hardware are white, and a minuscule peephole sits in the upper middle of its face. To the left of the door is a vertical glass panel.

Addressing Your Questions About Exterior Doors and Cold Weather

Q: What is the best material for exterior doors in cold weather?

uPVC and aluminum (with insulated cores) are excellent materials for cold weather. They resist warping, insulate well, require little maintenance, and are highly durable.

Q: What are the best exterior doors for cold weather in Canada?

While there isn’t a single answer to this question, look for doors rated for energy efficiency. Ideally, they should have:

A low U-factor
A high R-value
Durable, weatherproof construction
Reliable sealing

Q: What type of exterior door is the most insulated?

The most insulated doors are usually those filled with a solid polystyrene or polyurethane foam core. They’re engineered to minimize heat loss while still offering security and protection from outside temperatures.

Q: What is the best door to keep cold out?

Every home has a unique set of needs, and there is no universal answer. The most important factors to consider when selecting an exterior door are material, tight seals, an insulating core, and professional installation.

A white, modern interior. Warm wooden stairs climb to the right, and a blue door stands in the left third of frame. A dark green, velvet seat is built into the wall to the left of the door. In the immediate foreground are the unfocused leaves of a monstera plant.

Choosing the Right Exterior Door with Jesko

“People don’t realize that choosing the right door is more about comfort, safety, and long-term savings during the coldest months of the year than it is about style. Your door should look good, but most importantly, it should protect you and your family.”

- Jason, Co-Founder of Jesko Windows and Doors

We don’t believe in a one-size-fits-all approach to home finishes. That’s why we work closely with each customer to understand their needs, their budget, and the unique challenges of their home. We’ll help you find a high-performance door that ticks all the boxes, looks excellent, and completely protects you from the elements. No matter how winter shows up at your doorstep, our team is here to make sure your door is ready for it.

Upgrade to a Warmer, More Efficient Home Today

Don’t let a drafty, older front door compromise your comfort or cost you money. Browse our extensive selection of precision-built exterior doors engineered for Canadian winters.

Need help choosing the right door? Contact us for a free consultation. A member of our team will walk you through your options, explain the pros and cons, and answer any questions you may have.

"We’re here to help Canadians find doors that stand up to the cold and stay beautiful for years to come. Everyone deserves to feel as comfortable as possible in their home, even in the toughest weather conditions.”

- Jason, Co-Founder of Jesko Windows and Doors

Choose Jesko Windows & Doors for your next exterior door replacement project. Helping our clients discover their ideal home finishes is our specialty, and our high-quality windows and doors are up to any weatherproofing challenge. Our team of experts is here to answer all your questions, share friendly recommendations, and provide a seamless and professional installation experience. Contact us for a free quote on your project.