ENTRY DOORS The Learning Center The lower the gauge number, the thicker the steel. 24-gauge steel doors are commonly found when you're shopping for an inexpensive door, such as those found at big box stores. This is a good temporary solution, but don't count on it to last. Rusting and paint chipping is quite common. 24-gauge steel is practically paper thin, and it bends and flexes very easily with nothing but insulation behind it. This flexing causes the paint to chip off, which in turn leaves the steel unprotected and free to rust. 22-gauge steel doors are primarily for the home market. It's a thicker steel that doesn't bend or flex as easy as a 24-gauge, holds paint extremely well, and can have a simulated wood grain cut into it that provides for a wood appearance when finished with a gel-based stain. It costs a little more than the 24-gauge doors, but the difference in quality is huge. There are also higher quality doors available in thicker gauges of steel, but these are usually used in industrial applications.     7. What is the difference between 22-gauge and 24-gauge steel doors? < back to list of questions about entry doors 3245 Miracle Drive Murrysville, PA 15668 724-387-2991 PA Contractor ID PA001856