A number of homeowners are choosing to upgrade their front entrances by replacing their old doors. This not only improves the look of the home, inside and outside, it also makes it more energy efficient.
An entry door does not have to be the front door, however; it could also be a side door, a patio door or a garage door.
You have to be careful what you buy, especially with respect to security, door quality and energy efficiency. There are many choices available, but seek out the best value within your budget -- good, better, best. Here are some guidelines to follow.
Wood doors come in a variety of styles, such as solid wood, plywood faced and hollow doors. They look great, but require the most maintenance. Make sure the wood door is professionally finished to maximize its lifespan. Keep in mind you may have to strip, sand and restain the door every few years depending on how the elements affect it.
Metal insulated doors are another common choice. There are many grades available, but they look similar, so telling them apart can be confusing. I recommend you pick the door up so you will feel the weight difference between the different qualities of metal doors.
Fibreglass insulated doors are popular and I think they give you the best bang for your buck. They are durable, can be stained or painted, and are insulated. These doors are available in a wood grain finish that offers the appearance of real wood, but they will never rot, making them maintenance friendly.
The best door frames are composite frames with a composite sill, aluminum clad, with a built-in drainage system in place.
If you're putting glass in the door, make sure it's safety glass. In some cases, you will be advised to use high-quality laminated glass in sidelights (windows beside the entrance) for security reasons.
You have two choices with how your door opens: in-swing and out-swing. Most doors are in-swing, meaning they swing into your home. If you have an out-swing entrance door, make sure you have security pins in the door hinges to stop an intruder from removing the hinge pins and the door. (Note that out-swinging doors can add security because breaking the door inward is difficult.)
There are many options of hardware you can choose to go along with your new door, in such finishes as brass, brushed nickel and antique.
Do not forget to address the security performance of new hardware: Consider a three-point locking system with locking bolts at the bottom, middle and top of the door.
When considering a replacement entrance door system, be sure to keep these features in mind: security, maintenance and energy efficiency.
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