Is your front door starting to creak and stick? Have you noticed an odd spike in your electric bill? Well, it may be time for a new front door.
Overtime front doors can wear down. Not only does this hurt the curb appeal of your home, but if it’s not insulating properly you can be left with a drafty house in the winter and a sweltering house in the summer.
But finding a new front door isn’t as simple as it seems. Who knew there could be so many front door options to choose from?!
Do you need help finding the perfect front door for your home? Keep reading to learn 8 handy pieces of advice to help you decide.
“Set a budget? But it’s just a door?”
Although replacing your front door isn’t as intricate as renovating your kitchen, it’s still a home improvement project which means hidden costs can creep up on you.
In fact, the average cost to replace a front door is almost $1,000! In addition to the door itself, you’ll also need to hire a professional installer and buy paint or any other element to complete the look of your new entryway.
The first step is the decide how much you can afford. Research door installation companies in your area to get an idea of how much it’ll cost. Subtract that from your budget, and what you’re left with is the maximum you can spend on the door, assuming you don’t want to paint it right away.
When shopping for a new front door, you may be surprised to learn that wood isn’t your only option. While it’s the most popular material, it does have some drawbacks.
Wood can swell in the heat. This means that during those hot summer days, a wooden door may stick to the frame. They are also an expensive option and they need regular maintenance to prevent warping and rotting.
Because of all these caveats, alternative materials are becoming more popular. Fiberglass, in particular, is a great choice. It looks like wood, so you get that same aesthetic appeal, but it’s more durable and cheaper. They don’t warp, shrink, or rot, and they don’t need regular maintenance.
Your front door is a big part of your home, so it’s important not to skimp on quality. Not only is it the first people see as they approach your house, but it also helps to weatherize your home and secure it from criminals.
When looking at house doors, find one with quality weather stripping and low-E glass (if you choose a door with windows). You’ll want to find a door that will last you for years to come, so don’t be afraid to shop around a bit until you find one that’s durable and stylish.
Alright, so this one may seem obvious, but it’s commonly overlooked. Make sure you know how big your frame is before buying a new front door. The last thing you want to deal with is getting the wrong size and having to start from square one.
Most homes have a standard frame to fit standard doors. But some houses are made with larger entryways that require a bigger front door. So take those few minutes to measure before you hit the store.
While the technicalities of the door (i.e. the material, size, and quality) are important, you’ll also want a door that looks great too. A good front door can increase your curb appeal and set the tone for the rest of your home.
Most front doors aren’t completely flat. Rather, they include bevels to add interest. Think about how you want your entryway to look and find a door that compliments that image.
If you want to keep a peaceful or natural feel to your front porch, you may want to choose a door that showcases the natural wood. Just be sure you like the grain pattern and type of wood before purchasing it.
Do you want a sophisticated and regal looking entryway? Utilizing windows is one of the best ways to do this.
When looking for your new front door, consider how large you want the windows to be and what shape windows you like. Some doors have square windows, while others have a half circle or full circle.
Whatever you decide, make sure the windows are high quality. They should be clear and even, ideally with low E-glass. A well-sealed door won’t help as much if the windows on the door aren’t well-sealed too.
It’s no secret that house doors come in all types of colors. Some choose to keep the natural wood exposed and others choose to paint over it. Before you begin shopping, you should decide which of these methods you’ll follow.
If you know you want to paint over it, you don’t need to worry about finding a door with a nice grain pattern or paying extra for a favorable wood color. You can save yourself a lot of time and money by deciding this before you spend hours at the store.
So, you finally found the perfect door – congratulations! Now it’s time to install it. Hiring a professional door installation company is the best way to ensure it gets installed properly with no damages.
House doors are surprisingly heavy. If you try to DIY, you may accidentally drop it or bang it against the exterior of your home, resulting in chips or cracks.
You’re also risking that it won’t be installed properly, meaning it won’t insulate your home as well and it’ll be more susceptible to break-ins. In the end, it’s worth the extra cost to go with a professional and save yourself the trouble.
If you are in need of a new front door, you may feel overwhelmed when looking at how many options you’ll have. But finding a front door doesn’t have to be difficult. Just follow our quick and handy guide to picking your new front door.
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