You know how we always say, “don’t judge a book by its cover?” Well, this doesn’t really apply to front doors.
People will judge your home after taking a single glance at your front doors. If they’re starting to look a bit shabby, then it’s time for you to get a set of new front doors.
Whether you’re artistically inclined or not, some basic elements can help you make the right choice. Don’t worry. We’ve got you covered.
Keep on reading for our full breakdown of the eight key factors you’ll want to consider before buying your new front doors.
1. Appearance
Do you want to make your house seem welcoming? Your front entrance should be warm and inviting, welcoming visitors into your house. This brings us to the different front door designs.
As visitors enter your house, an old and outdated door will not provide a favorable first impression. If you want to improve your home’s curb appeal, keep in mind that the front door is a wonderful place to start.
Honestly, this is the dreaming phase. You’ll want to keep your options open. But, write down your top three designs that you love before reaching out to your supplier.
2. Size and Measurements
The size of your front door is the second item you should consider. If you’re building a new home, deciding on the size is simple, since you can always select the width and height that you want.
On the other hand, a typical front door is 6 feet 8 inches tall and approximately 3 feet wide. If you’re remodeling your house, you can still make some changes, but changing the size of the original exterior door will most likely need more effort.
3. Choosing Materials
Generally speaking, the cost of a front door is determined by the materials used to construct it. You have a lot of options here, like steel, wood, or fiberglass. All of them come in a variety of shapes and sizes.
You should choose the most durable material because it will provide security. For the most part, homeowners choose hardwoods such as oak or mahogany for their exterior doors.
Yet, other materials have proven to be high in quality and appearance.
Steel Doors
Most steel doors have a wood or steel inner frame with a 24-gauge steel skin. But you can always find ones with thicker gauges. It’s quite common on premium doors. Also, the cavities are filled with high-density foam insulation.
The most common finish is a baked-on polyester finish that may require resealing regularly. Premium doors may have a vinyl coating for improved weather resistance or even a stain-resistant wood veneer.
Wood Doors
Wood doors are a classic and popular pick. After all, they come in various species and can be stained or painted in almost any color.
Some stock wood doors have veneer skins over an engineered wood core. This helps with resisting the swelling, warping, and shrinking that solid wood doors are prone to experience, especially once they’re exposed to high degrees of moisture.
Fiberglass Doors
Interestingly enough, you’ll find fiberglass and composite materials available on the market.
These doors may imitate the appearance and feel of solid wood doors while being tough and practically maintenance-free (unless placed directly in severe weather, in which case you may need periodic resealing).
These doors have polyurethane foam insulation and are often constructed of molded fiberglass skins on a structure of hardwood stiles and rails.
4. Hardware Selection
Another thing to keep an eye on is the hardware that came with your door. Naturally, you want the handles and hinges to match.
Use a three-point locking system if your door is higher than the normal height. It may be more expensive, but it is the finest choice for a large-size exterior door.
5. Privacy
Since your front door is your home’s biggest entryway, it’s important to choose the appropriate one to give it a sense of seclusion and intimacy.
By selecting a door with window panes made of safety glass or frosted for privacy, you may have both seclusion and extra light. Doors with windows above eye level, such as arching glass panels above the entrance, are an alternative.
A large glass front door enables a flood of sunshine to enter the house while providing a beautiful view of nature. While these doors are suitable for forested properties or houses with private access, they do not provide the degree of seclusion or security that most homeowners want.
There are many choices for doors that let in some light, maintaining a high degree of seclusion. You can check out this collection of high-quality doors at https://coloradoclassicexteriors.com/doors/.
6. Security
A homeowner’s security should always be a primary concern. It would help if you had a front door that will safeguard your house from intruders to guarantee the safety of your property, possessions, and family.
Consider the lock systems, door materials, glass, and door thickness choices when choosing your door.
7. Climate and Weather
When selecting entrance doors, it’s crucial to think about the climate in your region. The majority of homeowners fail to do so.
To put it another way, think about your usual weather conditions. You want to make sure that your front door keeps your house insulated in both the hot and cold months of the year, as well as keeping out undesirable drafts out.
8. Energy Efficiency
An energy-efficient door is a smart investment since it pays for itself over time.
Your electricity costs will be lower, since an energy-efficient door keeps your house cool in the summer and warm in the winter. Also, these kinds of doors will last you for a very long time.
Replacing Old Doors: In With the New
Getting new front doors is a simple and effective way to give your home’s interior and exterior a fresh new look.
But, if you’re not really into home decor or design, we hope that our explainer has given you some fresh ideas about what you want your new doors to look like.
Yet, if you’re hungry for more tips and design advice, you can check out our home improvement section for all the ideas you could need.
