When it comes to curb appeal, few things make a bigger statement than your front door. Add in today’s amazing technology and innovative new materials and you owe it to yourself to explore the new world of entry door systems hitting the market.
Research shows that replacing your door is also one of the smartest investments you can make in your home. According to Remodeling Magazine’s annual Cost vs. Value Report for 2017, a stylish and beautiful door can add an average of 90.7 percent of your cost to the value to your home.
What’s In a Door?
Entry doors are generally made of wood, steel or fiberglass. The popularity of wood doors has dropped dramatically because they are expensive and require a lot of maintenance. Plus, there are man-made alternatives that can mimic the look of wood closely enough to satisfy most home owners. At Home Town Restyling, our biggest sellers are steel and fiberglass.
Steel Doors
Steel doors generally come in 22 or 24 gauge steel for high security and durability. There are many paint colors available from steel door manufacturers and creating custom paint colors is also possible.
Steel doors are considered low maintenance but they do need to be painted periodically, particularly if they get scratched. They are quite energy efficient and are generally the least expensive compared to wood or fiberglass.
Fiberglass Door Features
Fiberglass doors are the most flexible and durable on the market. For instance, they can be painted like a steel door or, if you prefer the look of wood, it can be stained with a wood grain to look very similar wood.
Since fiberglass won’t transfer heat and cold and has it has a low U-value, it is an excellent insulating material, keeping your home energy efficient. The maintenance free surface will not fade, rust, or warp and the material is impact resistant. Due to the nature of the material, most fiberglass doors come with a lifetime warranty.
Hardware and Security
Security and locks have come a long way in the last couple of decades. To protect against forced entry, look for steel security plates where the hardware meets the door with a PVC block backer. Other options include locks with keyless entry, whether by keypad combination or Bluetooth connectivity controlled by a smartphone or key fob.
The door peephole, hardware, knobs, deadbolts and door bells are all extras when it comes to installing a new door system. A full service home improvement contractor like Home Town Restyling will have access to all the latest products on the market to make sure you get exactly the look and functionality you want.
Entry Door System Configuration
Unlike most interior doors in your home, your front door isn’t just a door, it’s an entire system. Do you want a single front door or a double front door? Decorative side lights or an overhead transom? What kind of trim would you like? Window glass opaque or tinted for privacy or clear for better visibility? The number of decorative touches for doors and door glass is quite large. Most home improvement showrooms will have a large sample of door systems on display and relationships with multiple vendors with thousands of colors and configurations from which to choose.
Home Town Restyling carries a complete line of exterior doors along with licensed and insured crews for professional installation. Stop by or contact us today for a free estimate. You can also download our FREE Home Owner’s Guide to Entry Door Replacement for help planning this home improvement project.
