You can change the entire look of your home by replacing the exterior doors. A well built entry door also adds a higher level of security and can improve the energy efficiency of your home as well. Not just for looks, choosing and installing a replacement exterior door is an important project that requires planning.
On the flip side, choosing the wrong door for your front entrance will decrease the curb appeal of your home, could cause a break in and diminish your sense of security. Improperly installed, exterior doors can also be a major point of heat loss in your home.
It's important to think about and plan for these three factors of an exterior door project.
Design Comes First
There is a vast selection of different designs for exterior doors today. Not just a slab with a handle on it, your exterior door can be arched, wide, doubled or have added height. With all of the designs out there it's worth a look at some manufacturer catalogues to decide which style is right for your home's architecture.
Don't let your choice be limited by what is currently there. By hiring a window and door contractor you can be assured of a professional installation, even if your new door is vastly different in design than the existing one.
Double doors are popular, as are singles with sidelights for natural light in the foyer. Transom windows on top of solid doors give the entrance an appearance of height without adding that height to the door itself. An arched top or uniquely shaped door will give your home a distinct appearance that sets it apart from the rest of suburbia.
What Material Is Best?
Exterior doors come in three material choices. Solid wood is still a popular choice and comes in a variety of charming designs that give character to your front entrance. Heavy and a good choice for energy efficiency, wood doors are often expensive. But each one is completely unique and the grain patterns and staining make a wood exterior door more of a work of art than a fixture on your home.
Steel or fiberglass exterior doors are also common. These products can be painted any color and often come with vinyl framed windows installed directly into the door. Durable and secure, steel or fiberglass doors are economical. They do come in a variety of designs, but most are simple and standard.
Composite exterior doors are making their way onto the market in a big way. These doors can be made to resemble wood with an attractive grain and color, but are actually a durable, no maintenance product that's also lightweight and reasonably priced. Check out the designs available and see how you can pair windows and other added elements with composite exterior doors for an impressive combination.
Use of the Door
The amount of time you actually use the door makes a big difference in the design and construction. If your front door is strictly for guests you may be more inclined to choose something elaborate and less manageable, like solid wood or heavy steel. For doors that will be handled daily, with small children and pets moving in and out, a lighter weight product may be a better idea.
If your door is the only opening in the foyer it's a good idea to include windows in some way adding natural light and heat. Make sure the glass is double glazed and rated for energy efficiency and security.
Always outfit your door with a heavy duty lock and handle system, no matter whether it is the primary entrance or not. Any entrance into your home should be kept secure with a well built and well installed exterior door supported by a quality lock set.
By considering these three factors your exterior door replacement project will have a better outcome. You're more likely to be happy with the final product when you take design, materials and the use of the door into account. Transform the front of your home for the better by replacing the entry door with something new and fresh.
Posted by: TrustedProsSuggested Reading For You
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