Doors are the underrated elements of homes. They are sentinels that never tire. In all seasons, they are restorers of health and vitality. They are curators of beauty inside and outside of our homes. At their best and fittest, doors are conservators of time and money. They help us every single day.
A blank wall gets much attention. We agonize over a paint scheme or wallpaper and regularly shop for wall decorations. But what do we do with a front door or a set of patio doors? After choosing the color, we pretty much leave the doors alone. We don’t notice them until they’re no longer acting as guardians and helpers.
Visibly damaged or worn doors let warm air out and frigid air in. Broken locks and hinges won’t keep anyone safe. Doors that stick aren’t useful. Cracked panes, peeling paint, and cracked facades are unsightly to visitors and potential buyers. It’s time to consider replacement doors.
A replacement door is a present-day necessity and a worthy investment. Consulting with a knowledgeable door replacement company can help you evaluate your current and future needs. Ask questions about:
♦ Security
♦ Energy Efficiency
♦ Design
♦ Ease of Use
Security and Safety
A haven is a place where you feel comfortable and safe. That’s what your home should feel like at the end of a busy day. However, if you have an aged front or back door, it may not be as secure as it used to be when it was new. The lock is likely easier to unlock. The door frame and threshold may be loose or sagging, making the door prone to being easily kicked in without much force.
Like most things, new doors have many advantages over older models. Modern materials are more durable. New designs may incorporate features not previously available. When planning for security, think about:
♦ Materials
♦ Knobs, keys, and locks
♦ Hinges
♦ Door lighting
Fiberglass doors have evolved since their initial introduction years ago. They remain low maintenance with increased durability, resisting rot, warping, and rust. They are harder to kick and batter down. Their overall cost of maintenance is low.
Modern doors can incorporate electronic safety accessories like keyless entry, cameras, and lighting. You can equip them with numeric keypads and card scanners or the most sophisticated keyless locks that use fingerprint scanning. Finally, you can pair installed cameras with mobile apps for home security and monitoring.
Exterior doors should have features that can deter intrusion and manipulation. Concealed hinges are set within the door, making it tamper-proof. Pinless hinges prevent intruders from removing pins and hinges before entry.
Ambient lighting in entryways can increase safety and security.
Strategic outdoor lights can include:
♦ Mounted lanterns on either side of the door
♦ Outdoor wall lights at set distances
♦ Compact solar lamps that illuminate steps and walkways
♦ Lights equipped with motion detectors to dissuade trespassers
♦ Artfully placed landscape lights
Energy Efficiency
You can judge a door’s general appeal in one glance. Touching a door can communicate its strength. The functionality is evident when opening, closing, or turning the lock. However, measuring how well a door or set of patio doors helps keep a home warmer or colder isn’t that obvious. There’s no visual or tactile reference.
The energy efficiency of doors mostly depends on their condition and age. The door may hang loose within its frame or threshold. Air entering through the top or bottom of the door may be detected. Incoming cold drafts will make you set the thermostat higher. Air-conditioned air escaping without hindrance increases your utility bill. By design, older doors don’t have the insulating layers of newer doors. Less physical insulation lets heat and cold pass through easily. Doors may incur damage from severe weather exposure – this could mean mold and cracks in the door itself or within the threshold.
Energy efficiency is one characteristic to keep in mind when shopping for replacement doors. Reputable window manufacturers have Energy Star ratings on their products. These ratings are an unbiased grade received after extensive testing. All distributors and contractors must make this information available to all customers.
Created in 1992, Energy Star is an international standard for rating energy efficiency. Thousands of commercial products use this rating to help consumers save money and do their part to reduce the environmental impact. When a product has an Energy Star rating, it has met and often exceeded federal guidelines. These products have features that have achieved the efficiency standard and have been verified. Consumers may be confident in buying and using an Energy Star rated product.
Energy Star ratings are categorized by climate zones. Every state in the country belongs to a zone, and each zone has specific climate types and temperature ranges. The regions are Northern, North Central, South-Central, and Southern. For example, San Diego is in the South-Central zone. A homeowner in Southern California should consider Energy Star rated products for the South-Central zone. Doing so will ensure that the product can perform as designed and expected in that zone’s climate year-round. The Energy Star rating ensures you’re getting what you paid for.
The level of insulation varies depending on the material composition of the door.
♦ Vinyl doors require less annual care and are efficient energy savers. They can stop hot or cold air from entering a home. They can help maintain in-house temperatures.
♦ Fiberglass doors do not conduct electricity and heat, resulting in higher insulating effectiveness. Fiberglass doors can be up to four times better than wood or steel doors. Being weather-resistant, fiberglass doors have less heat loss.
♦ Steel doors are durable, but they conduct heat and energy. They are not rated as high as fiberglass or vinyl for thermal insulation.
♦ Wood doors offer the least insulation among common door materials. In hot weather, they can add to heat flowing in a home’s interior.
Design
San Diego homes are subject to unique climate patterns. Any replacement door must meet and exceed expectations all year round while enhancing a home’s architectural style. Manufacturers such as Masonite and Milgard offer doors in a variety of materials and designs.
They know that aesthetics and function go hand in hand. When choosing replacement doors, style factors to think about include:
♦ Customization
♦ Aesthetic options
♦ Color and finish
A home that doesn’t have standard-sized doors will need custom doors, frames, and thresholds. You will need to determine if the frame remains adequate or if it needs replacement. If you desire to widen the doorway, then a custom frame will be required. A prehung door with a new frame may be optimal. Be sure that any San Diego door replacement contractor you decide to work with has experience in custom door and frame design, fitting, and installation.
Exterior doors don’t have to be plain. Decide what style suits your taste and house composition. A new door can incorporate glass panels and inserts. Some examples are classic doors, panel doors, craftsman doors, and French doors. Details like carvings, engravings, and moldings can make a door stand out. Selecting a contractor who can offer a wide variety of styles can make your project progress faster. Door products can range from elegant, charming, sophisticated, to artistic. Browsing through a contractor’s gallery of past projects may provide some inspirational ideas.
Fiberglass replacement doors can be ordered with prefinished stains or paint. These doors get high marks for durability but are not as easy to customize as wood versions. Colors are integrated into vinyl doors at the factory. This process ensures that colors do not fade through time and from exposure to the elements. Vinyl doors have high insulation benefits – they resist decay, insects, and weather-related damage. However, they cannot be personalized with custom designs.
Design can have tangible benefits when selling a property. A colorful front door catches the eye. A solid back door adds to the impression of safety. New patio doors make rooms brighter and airier. Home improvements like door replacements also make a good investment since they can significantly raise your property’s market value.
Ease of Use
Besides weather, exterior entry doors and patio doors may need to be replaced for structural and lifestyle reasons. Expert contractors will analyze your home project for:
♦ Existing damage to door and affected area
♦ Effects of house settling
♦ Needs dictated by lifestyle changes
Normal wear and tear does affect doors. If a door is in a high-traffic area, it will show more deterioration. Surrounding frames may have small cracks and defects. Inspect and fix these issues before they turn into bigger problems.
All houses settle. The severity of settling depends on the quality of construction and how well the home has been maintained. Typically, settling causes only minor issues. Wood beams will sag, floors will begin to creak, and doors may no longer fit correctly within their frames, causing them to feel sticky. Doors may swing open freely instead of remaining stationary.
Life changes can determine the need for a doorway adjustment or replacement. Older doorways tend to be narrower than modern doorways. Senior citizens may find enlarged doors easier to navigate when using wheelchairs or wheeled walkers.
Existing hinges can be replaced with offset hinges, allowing doors to swing open wider. You can install new doors to open outward instead of inward. An outside opening door is more manageable for disabled people as well as for parents in pushing strollers and toys.
Door color and finish depend on the material. Wood doors have rich natural textures and variations. You can paint and stain them to complement any decorative choices, with easily modified colors to reflect changing tastes. A wooden door can accommodate the most artistic designs on its surface. However, wood doors do require consistent annual maintenance. They have less weather resistance than either fiberglass or vinyl doors. Modern fiberglass doors are made to look like wood doors with all the professional details to give it that pop.
Open the Door to a Better Home
A reasonable investment can lead to an eye-opening transformation. A well-designed replacement door can improve your lifestyle, lower annual utility costs, and enhance curb appeal. To reap all possible benefits, it’s best to work with experts in your local area.
US Window & Door has been San Diego’s door replacement experts for over 30 years.
We fully understand the needs of Southern California homeowners. We’ve tailored our services to exceed our customers’ expectations. We offer:
♦ Creative collaboration with homeowners and property managers
♦ Complete end-to-end attention for custom projects
♦ A thorough inspection of the areas affected by a replacement door
♦ Professional installation with the highest level of respect for your property
♦ Comprehensive warranty support and post-purchase coverage
♦ Quality products that fit average and high-end budgets
US Window & Door distribute products from Milgard and Masonite. We chose these two manufacturers because their products are Energy Star rated, superbly built, and can meet the full range of customer requirements. Their products add beauty and seamless functionality to all residences and buildings. Best of all, they stand by their products with industry-leading warranty protection.
Warranties are vital for protecting any investment but primarily for home improvements. Windows and doors are integral parts of any home. Once installed, they need to last for a lifetime. US Window & Door and Milgard provide customers with a full lifetime warranty. Coverage includes parts and labor for as long as the customer is the homeowner. A quick call to Milgard for service is all it takes. US Window & Door technicians will execute all warranty work to the highest standards.
This warranty is transferable to new owners for up to 10 years. For example, a home changes ownership four years after a patio door replacement was installed. The new owners will receive six years of full warranty protection. For complete warranty coverage, you must register the products with Milgard.
Door replacements need to be professionally installed by a reputable door replacement company. A proper installation will achieve all the benefits of security, energy efficiency, design, and functionality. Your neighbors will certainly appreciate the work because it enhances everyone’s home value. A well-maintained home will influence the impression of potential buyers in a positive way.We love happy, satisfied customers. Call us today and let’s work together to raise your home’s value and support decades of enjoyment and safety.
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