Front doors, also known as entry doors, are one of the features that can be seen whether you’re indoors or outdoors. They contribute to the home’s aesthetic appeal and security. They also protect the indoor space from inclement weather, debris, and extreme temperatures during the summer and winter.
With the many functions performed by exterior and entry doors, making a solid choice that ticks all the important boxes becomes essential. This article identifies the critical factors to help you make an excellent decision.
5 Things You Need to Know About Entry Doors
1. Entry Door Materials
One of the biggest considerations when choosing an entry door is the material. Entry doors are available in different materials, including wood, steel, or fiberglass. Each of these materials has its pros and cons, and knowing what stands them out can help shape your final decision.
- Wood Entry Doors
Wooden entry doors are rated highly among many homeowners because of their natural aesthetic appearance. As one of the commonest materials on the market, they provide a warm and welcoming feel. Wooden doors also add an extra layer of authenticity and originality to homes.
Homeowners can choose from a variety of wooden entry doors, depending on the type of wood used. Common wood materials include Mahogany, Cherry, Knotty Pine, Hickory, Pine, Maple, White Oak, and more.
While wooden doors are the top-range option for most homeowners, they require high maintenance. They are also more susceptible to weather elements and moisture.
If choosing a wooden entry door, we recommend going for one with an insulated core to avoid poor insulation properties.
- Steel Entry Doors
Steel entry doors are perhaps the most durable option on the market. They are versatile, great for security reasons, and low maintenance. They are also great for energy efficiency properties, especially because of their insulated core.
Steel doors can be expensive but generally affordable because of the various styles and design options. Homeowners can enjoy improved flexibility in choosing the desired steel door size to match all types of entrances.
Although they have great properties, steel doors can get dented or damaged upon heavy impact. They may also be prone to rust when exposed to moisture.
iii. Fiberglass Entry Doors
Homeowners looking for durability and low maintenance would love fiberglass entry doors. These doors are energy efficient, customizable, and have a low maintenance requirement. Fiberglass doors can also be customized to fit different styles, patterns, and colors.
2. Types of Entry Doors
There are several types, styles, and designs of entry doors. They can also be customized to meet your specific prehistoric or modern needs.
Homeowners stand a better chance of finding a balance between their preferences and style when they first decide on the material they want as well as what their home deserves. Being a customizable entity also means homeowners can customize the color, style, shape, and other properties to transform their property.
3. Should My Front Door Match My Garage Door?
Front doors and garage doors are similar in many ways. However, there are no set rules for matching the front and garage doors. It all boils down to personal preferences and what looks the most aesthetically pleasing.
Matching your front and garage doors may be a good idea if both doors are relatively new. With that, you can get some years from both matching installations. However, matching the front door with an older garage door may not exactly be the best idea.
4. How Do I Measure My Front Door Replacement?
Getting accurate measurements for your replacement front door is crucial. We recommend measuring the old first door. However, you may need to measure the insides of the door frame if the old front door has been damaged.
For an intact front door, measure the width and height of the door and round them up to the nearest full inch. If unsure, contact a professional for help.
5. How to Boost Front Door Security?
Preventing your front door from being kicked in is a great security tip. Doing this will protect you from a huge percentage of burglary attempts. To reinforce your front door, ensure that you’ve chosen a material or front door type with a reinforced core.
Reinforced cores give the front door extra strength, allowing it to better withstand impact up to a certain degree. In addition, we recommend replacing the strike place, reinforcing the hinges, improving the glass security by adding a security grill or glass laminate and reinforcing the door frame.
With the five tips above, you stand a better chance of choosing the best replacement front door that’ll serve your needs for years to come
