The front door of your home needs to be tough against the elements and easy on the eyes; it also needs to offer security and limit energy loss. New exterior doors can do all that and more.
Steel and fiberglass doors withstand harsh weather conditions better than wood and require far less maintenance. Plus, they include superior insulation and tight weather stripping that limit energy losses.
Curb Appeal
The curb appeal of your home tells potential buyers what they can expect inside. A house with clean, attractive exteriors and well-maintained landscaping can help increase your home’s value. It also helps deter crime.
Front doors are one of the most important elements that contribute to your home’s curb appeal. They must be tough against the elements, easy to operate and secure, and look good with your home’s architectural design.
For example, if you want your door to stand out, you can choose from many options, including colors and decorative glass. You can also add a door sweep and weather stripping for energy efficiency. There are even a few ways to add curb appeal without breaking the bank. For instance, you can paint your door or replace the doorknob and handle set with a more attractive finish, such as oil-bronze for traditional homes or brushed nickel for modern ones. You can also add a swag or wreath that reflects the style of your home and coordinates with your entryway light fixtures and urns.
Energy Efficiency
Investing in new doors for your home is not only an opportunity to enhance curb appeal, but it also offers energy efficiency. The right doors will help to limit air leaks and prevent escalating utility bills. They will also deflect solar heat, allowing cooling systems to work more efficiently.
The energy efficiency of a door depends on its material, design and construction, and the type of glass it features. For instance, fiberglass entry doors offer superior insulation and come with a variety of glass options. Some of them include Low-E glass that has a special coating to reduce energy loss.
Other energy-efficient options include storm doors, which provide an additional layer of protection. They also feature a tight weather stripping to prevent drafts. They are available in a wide variety of colors and finishes to match the look and style of your home. They are also lightweight, durable and require little maintenance. They’re a cost-effective alternative to traditional wood doors.
Accessibility
The door of your home is a major point of entry and exit for visitors. It must be able to accommodate wheelchairs and other mobility aids as well as baby strollers and walkers. Fortunately, installing a wider door and replacing steps with ramps is a relatively inexpensive way to make your entrance easier on everyone.
Many doors have round door knobs or handles that require tight grasping and twisting to operate. These types of hardware may be modified to a lever handle or replaced altogether with an accessible loop handle.
Doorglass and doorlights are a great way to create curb appeal while increasing natural light in the interior of your home. Many of these doors come with insulated glass that will help reduce your energy bill. They also offer a wide range of designs that will complement any architectural style or interior design scheme. Some of these doors feature additional energy saving features such as low-E glass and tightly sealed weather stripping to limit airflow.
Durability
Your home’s front doors need to be tough against the elements and withstand the wear and tear of everyday use. If your current door is dented, faded from sun exposure or cracked due to excessive moisture, then a new entry door replacement is necessary to improve the aesthetics of your home and protect it from intruders.
New steel or fiberglass doors are more difficult for intruders to kick in and tamper with. They also provide extra insulation to limit energy loss and lower your heating and cooling bills.
Steel and fiberglass are less susceptible to warping or rotting, as well as being less prone to needing repainting compared to wood doors. They’re also more resilient against the elements and can withstand harsh weather conditions like rain, wind, snow and cold temperatures. Adding door sweeps or weather stripping to your doors limits airflow and moisture penetration at the threshold where your sill meets your doorstep. This is a simple, inexpensive project that can dramatically improve your home’s efficiency and security.