When shopping for a new exterior door, you’ll often run into technical terms like pultrusion and extrusion. These terms describe how the materials in your door frame are manufactured—and understanding them can help you feel more confident in your decision.
At Window Works Co., we believe that informed homeowners make the best choices, so here’s a quick guide to what these terms mean and how they relate to the durability and performance of your new door.
What Is Extrusion?
Extrusion is a process in which a molten material, like Aluminum, is pushed through a mold to create a specific shape. Once formed, the material is cooled and cut to length. This method allows for great design flexibility and efficient production.
Extruded materials are commonly used in door and window frames and can offer excellent performance, especially when properly installed and maintained.
What Is Pultrusion?
Pultrusion is a manufacturing process where continuous strands of a fibrous material, like fiberglass are pulled through a resin bath. They are then heated to form a rigid, reinforced shape. The result is a dense, highly durable material often used for structural parts of doors and windows.
Pultrusion is known for producing components with high strength, excellent thermal performance, and resistance to warping or moisture damage.
Materials Used in Pultrusion and Extrusion
Both extrusion and pultrusion methods can be used to manufacture parts made from:
- Fiberglass
- Aluminum
- Vinyl
- Composite materials
The choice of material, along with the manufacturing process, contributes to the overall performance of the door or window component.
So, Which Is Better?
The truth is—there’s no “better” option. Both pultruded and extruded components can be used to build strong, energy-efficient, and long-lasting doors. Both processes aim to create profiles that are often used to construct doors with clean lines and smooth finishes. Manufacturers will prime and paint these doors, further obscuring any subtle differences in the raw material’s surface texture or grain. The best choice often comes down to:
- Your design preferences
- Where the door will be installed
- The material used in the frame
- Your budget and project goals
Expert Help for Homeowners
Whether you’re replacing a front entry door or upgrading a patio door, the Window Works Co. team is here to walk you through your options—without the jargon. Our trained, experienced technicians provide expert advice, professional installation, and a smooth experience from start to finish.
If you’re ready to explore your door replacement options, contact us at (919) 854-6121 or schedule a consultation today. We proudly serve Cary, NC and the surrounding counties with high quality service and products you can trust.
