Choosing The Right Door

With So Many Choices, There Is No One Perfect Door For Everyone. Take The Time To Find The Ideal Door For You.

Looking for a new door? With the internet as well as local sources, there’s no end of options available. But a door can be a big investment, and you want to make sure that you’re making the right choice. For the money you’re putting out, you’re probably looking for a door that’s both beautiful and durable so that it can last for years without needing to be replaced again. This can be trickier to find, especially when you have to sift through all the options.

However, if you do your research and preparation and you have the right priorities, you can easily find the door for you. Here are our tips on finding a proper door for your home:

Know When You Need a New Door

When you first move into your new home, you’re probably not thinking about replacing the door (unless it’s visibly damaged or worn down). But you may experience some discomfort in your home if your door is old, drafty, or in need of replacement. To get started in your search for a proper door, you first need to know whether or not your current door is a proper door, and what problems it might have. Some reasons for a new door include:

• Visible wear and tear
• Drafts or a tall gap between the door and the floor
• Difficulty opening and closing the door
• Difficulty locking the door or broken locks
• High heating and cooling bills

In some cases, you might not be sure based on your knowledge alone. If any of the above seem to be the case of your entry door, contact an entry door professional who can tell you whether it would be better to repair your door or replace it.

Measure Exactly

It can’t be emphasized enough how important it is to measure your door dimensions exactly. If your door doesn’t fit perfectly into the door frame, it could damage the door frame, which could lead to further costs. If the door is too small, it will let in too many drafts, making your home uncomfortable and your heating and cooling bills unsustainable. The last thing you want to do is order the wrong size door and have to order another door again, so make sure you measure exactly what you need to begin with.

Know Your Materials

One of the biggest components when it comes to choosing a door for a home is to know what materials are available, and how they stand up next to one another. Wood has a beautiful look, but will it withstand all the weather of your climate? Steel is tough, but does it have the look you’re going for? Here are a few of the different materials that you need to know when trying to find a door for your home.

• Fiberglass. Fiberglass is reinforced plastic woven with glass fibers to create something stronger than plastic, glass, and even wood. Fiberglass has a strength comparable to steel; but unlike steel, it resists dents and dings as well as peeling paint. It can be made to take on the look and feel of wood, but it’s not porous like wood, so it resists water damage as well as wind and impact damage.
• Steel. Steel is often lauded as the strongest door material, though as we’ve established, it’s essentially on par with fiberglass on that point. It can be painted a variety of colors, but that paint can peel or bubble in time, as steel is a difficult material to adhere to. It does hold up against water damage and impact, but it can become dented and possibly rusted.
• Wood. Wood doors are classic. They have a natural elegance that homeowners love…but they’re expensive upfront, and they require a lot of maintenance beyond that. They have to be regularly stained or painted in order not to take in too much water. If they do, they can swell, rot, or warp, a sure way to need a new door.

Look at Different Styles

Beyond knowing what kind of material you want, you should also know what kind of style you’re looking for. Doors come in all shapes, sizes, and styles from modern to classic to everything in between. You’ll be sure to find the perfect door for your home, but first you need to find the style that speaks to you. Some of those styles include:

• Classic. These doors are often wood or made to look like wood, though there are some classic doors in colors like deep blue or red. Classic doors have intricate designs and elaborate panels, often with decorative glass for extra style.
• Contemporary. Contemporary doors have a sleek, minimalist design and often bold, striking colors. These are typically unpaneled for a truly modern look.
• Craftsman. Craftsman has a simple but quirky style, often enhanced by bold colors. This is perfect for an unpretentious craftsman home, a modern style, or even some classic styles of home.
• Dutch. These are characterized by a horizontal split so that the two halves (or leaves) of the door can open individually, sometimes hinged in opposite directions. This is perfect if you’re looking for something quirky, or if you want to let in a little fresh air without leaving the door fully open.
• Fiberglass Wrought Iron Doors. Do you love a touch of gothic? Fiberglass wrought iron doors include large windows with intricate wrought iron patterns throughout. These are not only beautiful, but sturdy and secure.
• Rustic. These doors go for the raw, natural look, even when they’re fiberglass. They often have the look of real wood, with classic, homey designs to ground your home in something warm and earthy.

You can also enhance the style by adding sidelights — long, narrow windows installed at the side of the doors. This will also help to lighten up your entryway.

A Local Door Company

Finally, when searching for a proper door for your home, you should take care in considering your door company. A local company is always best, as they’ll likely be able to not just sell you the door but install it themselves. They’ll also be familiar with your climate and therefore able to help you determine what kind of door you want for your home.

Today’s Entry Doors has been in business in Orange County, California, for over 30 years. We offer the best doors, fiberglass but often with the look of real wood, in all shapes and styles. Want to learn more about our doors? Contact us today for more information or to get started with a free consultation.