First impressions matter–especially when it comes to your home. If you want to ensure your home makes the right first impression, one of the best projects you can invest in is replacing your entry and patio doors. After all, the entry door is the first thing visitors see when they come to your home. A high-quality, well designed entry door can add unique charm to your home, boosting your curb appeal. Like everything else in your home, you want a door you can be proud to call your own!
Finding the right door can be challenging since there are so many products to choose between. In today’s post, we provide a guide on door replacement to help you make more informed decisions for your home.
1. Is it the right time to tackle door replacement?
As a homeowner, you want to make sure that you’re using your resources in the best possible way. If your current entry door is still in good shape and you simply want to rejuvenate its appearance, then it’s better to make changes to the existing door than invest in replacement. On the other hand, if your door is old and worn down, replacement is the better investment than repair.
To determine whether repair or replacement is the best approach, start by checking for signs of damage. Do you see any cracks, rotting or warping, holes or superficial damage such as scratches? Closely inspect your door both inside and out for any physical damage, as this will help you determine whether or not a replacement is needed. Signs of rot or warping are clear indications that a replacement is in order.
Next, try the flame test: simply hold a lit candle, match or lighter close to suspected gaps in your windows or door. If the flame begins to flicker, this means there’s a draft that’s entering your home via the window or door. This is a sign that the energy efficiency of the unit has been compromised, which can cause your energy bills to spike. With new, energy-efficient replacement windows in Findlay, OH, or an energy-efficient exterior door, you can solve this problem and enjoy the best of both worlds with a more comfortable interior and lower energy bills to boot.
2. Basic Door Terminology
As you pursue this project, it will help you to know the basic terms relating to exterior doors. Here’s a quick review of key terms you should be familiar with:
- Lites: The door’s glass portions
- Caming: Metal strips used to join segmented glass
- Casing/trim: Your door frame’s molding
- Stop: Strip of wood inside of the door that prevent the door from swinging too far
- Panels: The door’s rectangular patterns
- Inswing: A door that opens inwards
- Outswing: A door that opens outwards
- Lefthanded: Hinged on the right side of the door
- Righthanded: Hinged on the left side of the door
3. A Welcoming Entry
What do guests first see when entering your home? None other than your entry door! That’s why it’s important to be very discerning when selecting an entry door. You want your new door to fit your home’s vibe and style, while also embodying your unique personality!
Selecting an appropriate door begins with choosing a material. Start by thinking about the qualities that matter most to you, such as aesthetics, strength and durability and energy efficiency. Sorting out your priorities will help you narrow down your options.
Wood Doors: Costly Elegance
Perhaps considered the most traditional of door materials, wood provides a sense of stately elegance to any home. Wood is heavy and sturdy, with gives homeowners the sense of being safe and secure.
Wood doors do, however, require commitment: not only do they cost more up front than other materials, but they also need regular maintenance, which can be costly and time consuming. For instance, regular staining is required to preserve the beauty and elegance of the wood. You also need to keep an eye out for issues such as rotting and warping.
Steel: Strength Beyond All Others
If you need superior security in your home, then steel is the answer. Consider 24-gauge steel, which is hard to kick in, resistant to fire, warping and cracking, and difficult to dent or bend. If you opt for foam-filled steel doors, you can also boost your home’s energy efficiency and cut down on your utility bills.
Fiberglass Doors: The Elegance of Wood at a Pocket-Friendly Price
Fiberglass entry doors are available in various faux wood grain options that are so realistic, you’d have a difficult time telling the difference. This means you can enjoy the elegant aesthetic of a wood door at a lower price and without the maintenance hassles involved with real wood. Fiberglass is very easy to maintain, which makes your life easier.
Moreover, fiberglass doors are highly energy-efficient. Insulated with foam, a fiberglass door will help reduce your heating and cooling bills while keeping indoor temperatures ideal, no matter the weather.
4. Your Patio Door
Your patio doors also play an important role in your home’s aesthetic appeal, security and energy efficiency. Most homes will typically have access to the backyard, patio or deck via patio door installation Findlay, OH– which will not only expand your living spaces, but make them much more “livable.”
If your living area is small or cramped, then gliding/sliding patio doors are your best option, as they don’t require any floor space to open. These doors simply glide open horizontally along a track. Featuring expansive glass panes, they admit abundant natural light, giving your home an airy, open vibe. Open them up when the weather is favorable and invite a refreshing breeze into your living space.
For a more traditional aesthetic, French patio doors are a good option. Unlike sliding doors that open horizontally on a track, French patio doors swing open on a hinge, which means they require floor space to operate. Featuring a lever handle, they’re easy to open and close.
If you like the look of French doors but want the space-saving convenience of sliding doors, good news: you can have the best of both worlds by opting for sliding French doors. In addition, you can customize your doors with any wood grain. French doors are an excellent source of light and can enhance air circulation as well.
5. Extra Protection From Storms
By creating a barrier between the elements and your exterior door, storm doors help provide greater insulation. They also protect your entry door from rain, snow, hail and wind by providing another layer of protection and making it more difficult for the air inside your home to escape.
6. Optional Hardware Can Enhance Your Exterior Door
The right door hardware can also bring a lot to the table, such as improved functionality and a boost in aesthetics. Here are door hardware recommendations you’ll want to check out.
Locks and Doorbells
Today, smart doorbells and locks are becoming more popular among homeowners for their convenience and added safety measures.
Decorative Glass, Sidelights and Transoms
Exterior doors can benefit from having decorative glass installed. Available in many patterns, you also have the option to add grids. If you’d rather not have glass installed in your door, another great option is installing sidelights to the sides of your exterior door.
You can also opt to have rectangular, square or semi-circular transoms installed above the door.
Handles, Knockers and Mail Slots
Other small choices you can consider to boost the performance and aesthetics of your exterior door include changing out your door handle or knob to a different style or material, such a brass or bronze. Consider adding a knocker or mail slot for a charming, vintage look.
Conclusion
Replacing your exterior doors requires serious thought. You need to ensure you choose a door that’s secure, durable, energy-efficient and truly reflects your style.