Exterior doors give the initial impression of your house. Besides, these doors should be strong enough to withstand harsh climatic conditions like strong winds, sun and humidity. Most entries do not meet those needs.
The old doors are engineered of wood which easily takes water in and swells. They also need constant care. Others are made of steel that peel when exposed to the sun. Steel also warps within a short time. If you want to upgrade your exterior doors, you should look for a material with superb curb appeal, provides security and can withstand these elements.
- How to Do Front Door Replacement
You can replace your exterior doors by entirely removing the existing ones, together with the frame. This happens if the frame is damaged or broken. If your frame is still intact, you do not have to incur a new frame’s expenses. Buy a new door and install it in the old frame.
Sometimes you will notice that your frame is okay, but the wall studs it is fixed to can bow and get out of their place. This will make your new door hard to open. To ensure you don’t get difficulties with your entry, trim one of the edges to ensure your door sits correctly. However, this can only be done on a wooden door because metal and fiberglass doors cannot be cut.
- Prehung Exterior Doors
You can buy prehung exterior doors if your old frame is damaged and needs replacing. These doors come when hinged on a new frame. Before buying one, decide the side you would need the door to open so that you can get the locksets rightly fixed. Always ensure you take measurements of the old door to get the right size of the new one.
- Door Replacement Kits
If you are doing a DIY, get a door replacement kit. An installer will come with their tools. When you use a kit, you will have an easy time during installation, and your frame will be safe. However, these kits have a disadvantage of reducing the original opening, and you can only get them in small sizes.
- Entry Doors Materials
For your front door to withstand severe climatic conditions like strong winds, rain and high salt concentration on the coast, it all depends on which material it is made of. As the door provides security, it should also curb your home’s appeal.
- Wood
Wood is the most common material used on doors. Its natural beauty and authenticity are incomparable. You can find entry doors made of hardwood like oak, mahogany or maple. Softwood is also used to make doors. If you want your wooden door not to warp or contract easily, get one made of wood-veneer mixed with an engineered-wood core. These cost less than the solid wood doors.
Solid wood is also costly. The average size of its door would cost about $600. However, you will pay the most for a hardwood door. For a complete system, set aside about $2000-$4000. This includes the prehung door with its frame, lock and sidelights.
If you are buying a prefinished wood door, ensure it has tough stains and clear finishes. You can apply the finish to the bottom and top of the door. By doing so, you are protecting your wood from absorbing water.
- Fiberglass Doors
If you live in a humid climate, this is the best choice of door. Fiberglass is rigid and does not need a lot of maintenance. They have a wood grain finishing, and they resemble wood. If you admire oak, cherry or walnut, you can get a fiberglass door stained to match these materials.
These doors have an extended warranty that comes only after installing a complete entry system, including the frame. They are a bit affordable. A complete fiberglass door with the locking system will cost about $4000.
- Aluminum
If you plan to install an aluminum door, get it through a dealer. A metal skin covers their insulation core, and the doors are custom made according to your opening. You can get the entries in different styles, and color and others even have a wood grain finishing.
These doors have an extended warranty because they do not need repainting and are resistant to rust. You also have the option of matching your colors. You w
