While the design of the typical house has remained relatively unchanged over the years, with occasional updates such as new windows and cabinetry, times have evolved, and it’s safe to say that the traditional front door is no longer sufficient. Instead of frequently investing in a new front door every couple of years, opting for the installation of superior doors can be a more cost-effective choice.
By choosing the finest doors, you’re not only enhancing your home’s aesthetics and setting the stage for a successful remodeling project, but you’re also transforming your front entrance. Should you decide to proceed with replacing your front door, please keep the following steps in mind:
- Step 1:
Choose Your Home’s Main Door Style:
When considering the type of front door to purchase, your choice is subjective and should align with your preferences. When you visit a reputable window and door replacement service provider, you’ll discover a wide range of external door options. These options span from intricate architectural designs to more conventional doors primarily serving as entryways to your home. Surprisingly, entry doors can be categorized into several style categories, including single panel, flush, arched, and double entryways. Each design category offers numerous decorative residential choices, such as etched or glass panels and doors with sidelight panels. Often, your intuition alone can guide you toward the ideal design that suits your home.
- Step 2:
Selecting the Best Front Door Materials:
Selecting the material for your door is undeniably one of the most pivotal decisions to make. While many doors at doors incorporate multiple materials, such as wooden frames on steel and fiberglass doors, the surface material significantly impacts factors like appearance, durability, security, and cost.
- Composite Fiberglass Doors:
Fiberglass composite doors prove to be a prudent option for regions with harsh or humid climates due to their durability and low maintenance requirements. These doors boast a wood-grain texture, resembling real wood, and can be customized to mimic oak, cherry, walnut, and various other wood types. Beneath their molded exterior lies a wooden framework featuring rails, stiles, and wooden edges for the lockset. Any gaps in the structure are filled with insulating polyurethane foam. Additionally, fiberglass-composite doors are backed by extensive warranties.
- Doors Made of Wood:
Wood remains the preferred material for doors, with a variety of options to choose from. You can find doors crafted from oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple, fir, and pine in both standard and custom finishes. Additionally, there are paint-grade doors available in various softwood species, including pine and western hemlock.
- Doors made of aluminum:
Aluminum doors utilize an insulating core encased within a metal exterior, similar to steel doors. Unlike other door systems, the sale of aluminum variants is exclusive to dealers, and each one is custom-made to fit your specific opening. Manufacturers offer a range of options. Thanks to their baked-on enamel coating, aluminum doors require no painting and are resistant to corrosion, often coming with 20-year warranties.
- Step 3:
Get Help From A Professional:
To streamline the process, it’s essential to find a qualified contractor, whether you’re looking to install new doors or create custom ones. In many regions, building codes require external doors to have doubleheaders, meaning there are two studs on each side of the door—one for the hinges and one for the bolt.
This level of installation isn’t necessary for interior upgrades like new windows. In such cases, you can simply replace your old windows with high-quality used or new ones without the need for a professional contractor. At Columbus Exterior, we specialize in the window and door industry, boasting years of expertise in the field to help you meet all your window and door requirements.
