Therma-Tru Vs. Mastercraft Doors: In-depth Differences

When it comes to choosing new exterior doors for your home, two big names stand out: Therma-Tru and Mastercraft. But which brand offers the better quality and value for your home?

In this comprehensive guide, we’ll compare the pros, cons, features, and reviews of Therma-Tru and Mastercraft doors to help you decide which is the right choice for your exterior door replacement or new construction project.

A Brief Comparison Table

Feature	Therma-Tru	Mastercraft
Materials	Fiberglass, steel, wood	Steel, fiberglass, wood
Insulation	Highly energy efficient, R-value up to 12	Good, R-value 5-8
Durability	Very durable, rot/warp resistant	Decent durability
Warranties	Lifetime limited on fiberglass and frame	10-25 years
Price	$$$, premium brand	$, budget-friendly
Styles	50+ styles, contemporary to classic	Limited traditional styles
Customization	Wide range of upgrades available	Minimal custom options
Energy Efficiency	Meet ENERGY STAR standards	Varying degrees of efficiency
Security Features	Multi-point locks, sensors	Basic locks
Reputation	Industry leader, top brand	Lesser known brand

Overview of Therma-Tru Doors

Founded in 1962, Therma-Tru is one of the most popular and well-known brands for entry doors on the market today. They offer a wide selection of low-maintenance fiberglass and steel doors in styles ranging from classic to modern.

Pros of Therma-Tru Doors:

• Durability – Therma-Tru doors are constructed from long-lasting and dent-resistant fiberglass or galvanized steel. Most models feature a rot-resistant composite frame and the fiberglass skins help prevent warping and cracking.
• Energy efficiency – Their doors provide excellent thermal insulation with an R-value up to 12. This can help lower energy costs by reducing drafts. Most models meet ENERGY STAR certification standards.
• Appearance – From classic woodgrain textures to modern smooth finishes, Therma-Tru offers attractive doors in over 50 exterior design styles. The fiberglass is paintable if desired.
• Security features – Many Therma-Tru doors come with reinforced panels, multi-point locking systems, security sensors, and impact-resistant glass to improve security.
• Warranty – Therma-Tru provides a limited lifetime warranty on the door slab and composite frame, as well as a 10-year glass warranty.

Potential Cons of Therma-Tru Doors:

• Higher upfront cost – Being a premium brand, Therma-Tru doors are on the pricier side for exterior doors. But the quality and durability make up for it.
• Limited customization – There are set sizes and design choices. Fully custom doors are not an option.
• Occasional quality issues – Some consumers report getting doors with minor flaws or damage. But Therma-Tru generally has good customer service for returns/replacements.

Overview of Mastercraft Doors

Founded in 1998, Mastercraft doors are manufactured by Excel Windows and Doors which makes both entry doors and windows. They offer steel, fiberglass, and wood doors aimed at the mid-priced market segment.

Pros of Mastercraft Doors:

• Affordable prices – Mastercraft exterior doors are very competitively priced, making them budget-friendly options for remodeling projects. Even their higher-end models cost noticeably less than leading brands.
• Range of materials – Choose from basic steel, more attractive woodgrain textured steel, fiberglass, and even real FSC-certified oak. This allows flexibility to find the right material for your needs and budget.
• Quick delivery – The doors are mass-produced and ship via express freight from centrally located warehouses. This enables fast turnaround.
• Streamlined styles – The doors come in simple, clean lines and standard sizing that works well for many homes. No need to pay for custom frills.
• Good warranties – Mastercraft offers 10 years on steel doors, 25 years on wood doors, and lifetime limited on fiberglass.

Potential Cons of Mastercraft Doors:

• Less curb appeal – The basic rectangular door designs are not as aesthetically distinctive as other brands. If you want a statement door, these are not it.
• Not the highest quality – While durable enough for most climates and uses, Mastercraft doors may not hold up as well long term compared to premium brands.
• Limited weatherproofing – Energy efficiency, insulation, and weather seals are good but not as robust as Therma-Tru. These work best in milder climates.
• Spotty customer service – Some buyers report long delays and unresponsive communication when issues arise. Not as positive customer experiences.

Therma-Tru And Mastercraft: In-Depth Product Comparisons

Now that we’ve covered the general pros and cons of Therma-Tru and Mastercraft, let’s take a more detailed look at how specific door models from each brand stack up against each other.

We’ll compare entry doors in different material categories to help you determine the best choice.

Fiberglass Entry Doors

For fiberglass exterior doors, two great options to consider are:

Therma-Tru Pulse:

• Constructed with Fiber-Classic or Smooth-Star fiberglass skins with a polyurethane foam core
• Features durable EnduraFrame composite frame
• Energy efficient with a high R-value up to 12
• Available in Mahogany, Oak, and Smooth fiberglass finishes
• Prices range from $800 – $1,500

Mastercraft Ardmore:

• Made of durable fiberglass over an insulated core
• Polyurethane weatherstripping for moisture protection
• Primed and ready for paint or stain finish
• Available in a Craftsman style in sizes up to 36” x 96”
• Typically priced between $500 – $800

When it comes to fiberglass, Therma-Tru Pulse has the edge. The material and construction quality is noticeably better. It also comes pre-finished so you don’t have to paint or stain. Energy efficiency is far superior as well. The higher cost of Therma-Tru buys you a significantly better fiberglass door with great thermal performance.

Steel Entry Doors

For steel entry doors, two models to look at include:

Therma-Tru Benchmark Steel:

• Hot-dipped galvanized steel with polyurethane foam core
• Glass is tempered with Warm Edge Super Spacer
• Adjustable sill provides excellent weathertight seal
• Integrated security sensors and multi-point lock
• Available with insulated glass; R-value up to 6
• Wide range of decorative doorlites and sidelites
• Prices from $700 – $1,200

Mastercraft Steel Stax:

• Steel skins over an insulated core
• Magnetic weatherstripping provides a good seal
• Wide selection of glass designs and sidelites
• Primed white ready for paint
• R-value of 5 to 8 depending on glass
• Typical cost of $400 – $900

For steel doors, the Therma-Tru Benchmark model is the winner again for its higher quality steel construction and integrated security features. Its adjustable sill and multi-point locking system create a super tight weatherproof seal.

Mastercraft Steel Stax doors are decent for the money but the lower price means compromising on energy efficiency, finishes, security, and longevity compared to premium Therma-Tru steel doors. Pay a little more upfront and you’ll be rewarded with better performance and less maintenance down the road.

Real Wood Entry Doors

Solid wood doors impart a classic elegance. Here are two top options for each brand:

Therma-Tru Classic-Craft Canvas Collection:

• Constructed of premium clear pine, oak, or mahogany
• Traditional mortise and tenon joinery with water-based finish
• Insulated glass with Warm Edge Super Spacer improves energy efficiency
• Brass multi-point locking hardware for security
• Custom staining, paints, glass, and hardware available
• Typical cost between $1,500 – $4,000

Mastercraft Oak Park:

• Kiln-dried North American red oak veneer over insulated core
• Available pre-finished or ready for paint/stain
• Tempered Low-E glass for efficiency; sidelites available
• Composite sill resists swelling and warping
• Traditional styles ideal for Craftsman homes
• Range from $1,000 – $2,500

With real wood doors, Mastercraft makes a good case for itself. The Oak Park doors provide charming woodgrain texture at a more affordable price point compared to premium Therma-Tru wood models.

Although Therma-Tru still edges out with better weatherproofing and construction quality, Mastercraft wood doors are more competitively priced while still providing pleasing aesthetics and decent durability. For budget-friendly real wood doors, Mastercraft Oak Park is worth considering.

Additional Comparisons Between Brands

Beyond simply products, there are a few other factors that may sway your choice between Therma-Tru and Mastercraft:

• Warranties – Therma-Tru generally provides slightly longer and better warranties, like their lifetime limited warranty on fiberglass and composite frame materials. But Mastercraft still delivers satisfactory coverage such as their 25-year wood door warranty.
• Styles and designs – Therma-Tru wins out here with over 50 door styles that include modern, contemporary, traditional, and rustic designs. They have far more aesthetic variety than Mastercraft’s more cookie-cutter traditional profiles.
• Energy efficiency – Therma-Tru invests heavily in thermal insulation technology and their doors achieve Energy Star certification more consistently than Mastercraft. Go with Therma-Tru if maximizing energy performance is important.
• Smart features – Therma-Tru doors can integrate helpful tech features like security sensors, electronic locks, and lighting. Mastercraft options are pretty basic without electronics.
• Customization – Mastercraft doors only come in standard sizing and few style choices. For more personalized doors, Therma-Tru lets you upgrade glass, hardware, sidelites and finishes.
• Reputation – Both brands have been around for decades, but Therma-Tru is generally seen as the leading and most prestigious exterior door brand. Their reputation gives people added confidence.

Which Should You Choose?

Based on this in-depth brand comparison, here are some quick recommendations on when to select Therma-Tru or Mastercraft for your next exterior door purchase:

• For fiberglass doors, go with Therma-Tru. Their material quality and construction is far better.
• For basic, affordable steel doors, Mastercraft is the budget-wise option.
• For higher-end steel with more features, Therma-Tru is worth the extra cost.
• For cheaper real wood doors, Mastercraft makes sense. But for premium wood, invest in Therma-Tru.
• If you want unique styles and customization, Therma-Tru is the clear choice.
• For technology-enhanced smart doors, Therma-Tru is the leader.
• If maximizing energy efficiency is important, lean toward Therma-Tru.
• For reputable warranties and customer service, Therma-Tru edges out Mastercraft.

While Mastercraft doors can make sense cost-wise for some needs, Therma-Tru is generally the winner when you compare factors like quality, performance, durability, style, and prestige. The adage “you get what you pay for” is very true when comparing these exterior door brands.

Investing in Therma-Tru will pay off with doors that maintain their beauty while withstanding the elements.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

Still trying to decide between Therma-Tru vs. Mastercraft? Here are answers to some common questions homeowners have:

The Bottom Line

When comparing Therma-Tru vs. Mastercraft doors, Therma-Tru consistently comes out on top for fiberglass and steel construction. Mastercraft makes a decent budget-friendly alternative for basic real wood doors.

Focus on Therma-Tru if you want the best fiberglass insulation, high-end finishes, customized designs, and durability to last decades. While pricier upfront, investing in a quality Therma-Tru door for your home is worthwhile.