3 Ways to Add Additional Privacy to a Glass Door

October 28, 20210

The Entryway: 3 Easy Methods To Add Privacy To A Glass Door

So you’re gearing up to transform your home’s entryway, but you want to learn more about how to add privacy to a glass entry door.

We can help!

We’re Today’s Entry Doors, and we’ve been working with Orange County, CA homeowners for decades now, custom designing and installing gorgeous premium entry doors.

Note: For reference, you can learn more about where we do and don’t go on our Service Area page.

These are premium replacement entryway doors that we install (we aren’t a retailer), manufactured for a precision fit and transformative impacts.

One of the most significant features we help homeowners in your position learn about is, of course, glass.

As you consider all the different parts of a new high-quality entry door system, privacy is a huge element.

How well do you want people to be able to see inside your particular doorway? For some home layouts, the door faces living and social rooms, while for others, they don’t show much more than a hallway.
There are many different levels of privacy glass, from basically zero privacy or just a regular door window to total privacy where it’s impossible to see what’s behind the door.
Aesthetics plays a significant role, not only with what’s directly inside the doorway but also what’s around! It doesn’t make much sense to have high-privacy glass in your door if nearby windows and sidelites have none.

The truth is, all exterior door manufacturers add privacy options. Some are more basic, while others emphasize privacy and different artistic textured glass options.

We work with three Premium Entry Door Brands: Therma-true, Masonite, and Jeld-Wen.

If you head to the Jeld-Wen page, we’ve included 50 images from our entry door galleries, and you’ll see a wide variety of different privacy glass doors we’ve installed.

For example, here’s one with basically no privacy and clear glass (mahogany grain; factory-painted Tricorn Black):

And here’s another with the double aesthetic value of full-privacy Frosted Glass complemented by a beautiful wrought-iron Mediterranean Grille pattern. We installed this for a family in San Clemente, CA.

Jeld-Wen is great for taking classic, traditional grid styles and adding layers of unique features on top. You can choose clear glass, bath the inside of your entryway with light, or tone it down while making it more challenging to know what you see behind the textured glass.

Here are some example patterns they offer.

And we haven’t even begun to talk about how amazing you can make your glass in the process of ensuring it’s impossible to see through. For example, look at this door here.

Decorative glass adds so many incredible options! You can still brighten up the space, layer on unique architectural style, and get high-performance glass simultaneously.

The process of adding privacy to a door is quite fun when you work with experts who truly understand what we like to refer to as door science. Here in Orange County, CA, we help our customers really make statements with their entry doors.

Because you’ve got so many options, it’s easy to get lost in the details. After installing thousands of them, we’ve learned how to make the process much more convenient and enjoyable for you.

Wrapping Up: Give Us A Call & Let’s Talk Glass Options

We’d love to hear from you if you live in or directly around the Orange County area! We’re happy to take your call, listen carefully, and provide all the answers to your initial questions.

From there, we can send out our mobile showroom and possibly get the ball rolling on a new entryway right then and there. Thanks for your time today, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Steel vs Fiberglass Exterior Doors Orange County

Entry Door Comparisons, Doors, Products

The Debate Between Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors

October 26, 20210

Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors For Orange County Homes

Today’s Entry Doors is the #1 name in premium high-grade fiberglass entry doors here in the Orange County, CA area of the country.

It’s all we do.

We specialize in absolutely nothing else, so we’re schooled in all the details and specifics.

And it’s been this way for decades.

Every few years or so the ‘Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors’ argument resurfaces, and we start getting calls from homeowners — people asking us WHY we only install Fiberglass Doors. What about Steel Entry Doors?

We’ve taken the time to seriously study the pros and cons of all entry door materials. And Fiberglass just comes out on top every single time.

There’s an excellent reason that we exclusively recommend and install fiberglass doors. They’re the best choice for the Orange County, CA area because they combine all the core benefits:

Low Maintenance
Stunning Beauty
Customizable Options
Strong & Secure
Energy Efficient
Lifetime Warranty

Why don’t we recommend steel doors?

In short, there are two clear reasons:

While both add levels of curb appeal, they’re not as attractive as wood or fiberglass options. Fiberglass can be stained and painted professionally at the factory for perfectly even, smooth, and refined finishes that last.
Secondly, steel has a durability issue because it can dent relatively easily.

Did you know that under certain circumstances and without proper maintenance, heavy steel doors have been known to rust if not primed and painted?

Are steel doors less expensive?

Yes. Premium and custom-made fiberglass entry doors from America’s top manufacturers and installed with precision cost more upfront. However, the value and Return On Investment (ROI) is well-established. To get a better understanding, feel free to browse our many Entry Door Galleries – all installed here in the Orange County, CA area..

These doors are popular, dramatically increase curb appeal, and directly add value to your property.

Are steel doors high-maintenance?

No. Like fiberglass, they don’t require the normal upkeep of classic wooden doors like cleaning, re-staining, and repainting. In fact, painting steel doors can be a real hassle because most paints won’t want to stick! It’ll start to peel relatively soon.

Meanwhile, the fiberglass doors we install come with gorgeous guaranteed stains and factory finishes you can depend on.

Are steel doors weather-resistant as well?

Yes. Steel isn’t going to warp, rot, or swell like authentic wooden doors. Steel is ALMOST as impervious to Mother Nature as fiberglass…except for the whole rust issue. Fiberglass doors are one solid mold without seams, so there are just no moisture problems to worry about.

Which is more secure?

Here again, steel and fiberglass are pretty much on par with each other. Both provide strong, sturdy, Unbreakable Front Doors. It’s more about the added security features and the quality of the framing.

But again, steel doors can dent.

They can scratch pretty easily too.

And when this happens, they aren’t a cakewalk to get repaired!

Which Entry Door Has The Best Energy Efficiency?

This is where things get complex and fast. Energy efficiency has to do with an assortment of specific details that change from entry door to entry door. Modern fiberglass and steel entry doors systems deliver energy efficiency ratings beyond what your average wood door can offer.

Fiberglass: Specialized full-fill polyurethane core, heat-resistant window trim, high-quality weatherstripping, impeccable glazing, etc.
Steel: Not as good as an insulator and dependent on overall construction. Once you start looking at steel doors with glass, your design options within ENERGY STAR certification are rather limited compared to fiberglass.

Next Step: Give Today’s Entry Doors A Call

If you’re in the Orange County, CA area and would like to speak with an honest-to-goodness entry door specialist about this ‘Steel vs. Fiberglass Exterior Doors’ debate… give us a call.

Contact Us and we’ll be happy to give you all the specific details for our area, rather than the generalities you find online. We’ve got over three decades of experience helping homeowners around here, and we’ll help you too! Thanks for your time today, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Doors, Our Products, Products

Tips for Buying Exterior Doors?

October 19, 20210

Not Sure Where To Start On Your Door Search? Here Are Our Tips For Buying Exterior Doors

Your exterior doors are absolutely essential to the security and comfort of your home, which is why the search for new exterior doors can be such a high-pressure thing. You may find yourself looking at options, at door companies, and unsure where to start. You might not even know if it’s the right time to replace your exterior doors. Fortunately, Today’s Entry Doors has been in the business of high-quality fiberglass entry doors for 32 years. We’ve become experts on the subject, and we’re here to help you. Here are a few of our top tips for buying exterior doors:

When Should You Replace Your Exterior Doors?

Exterior doors, even well-made exterior doors, are not meant to last forever. If you’ve recently moved into a home with exterior doors that haven’t been replaced in the past 30 years, it’s probably a good idea to replace them now. Otherwise, keep an eye on the performance and wear of the exterior doors. If your exterior doors look swollen or rotten, that’s a good sign that you need to replace them. A few other warning signs include:

Difficulty opening and closing your entry doors
High energy bills or drafts in your entryway
Pests that seem to be coming in through your front door
Loose locks or knobs
Creaking noises or rusted hinges
Dents or cracks in the surface of the door

Consider doing an energy audit of your home. This will tell you where you’re losing the most energy in your home. If your door is one of the chief places where you seem to be losing energy, replace it with a new door.

What To Look For In An Exterior Door

So you know that you need a new exterior door. The next question is what to look for in an exterior door. While all the doors of your home are essential, your exterior doors are slightly more important for several reasons. They boost the security and the energy efficiency of your home. They add to the overall look of your home’s exteriors, which impacts your curb appeal. So when looking for an exterior door, you want to consider those same factors: security, durability, energy efficiency, style.

Security can come in the form of sturdy locks and latches, longer hinge bolts, and so on. It can also come in the sturdiness of the door material. The stronger the door, the more it will be able to resist impact from potential home invaders. Similarly, many sturdy doors will be able to block heat loss and manage better energy efficiency.

In terms of style, you’ll want a style that suits the design of your home’s exterior on the whole. That doesn’t mean they have to be the same style. Craftsman doors might look wonderful on homes that aren’t in a craftsman style. A modern door might add a sleek touch to a classic-style home, and a classic or rustic door could add a unique charm to a modern home. Whatever style you choose, make sure that it has the desired aesthetic effect you want and a cohesive look with the rest of your home.

What Is the Best Type of Exterior Door Material?

You can find a number of exterior door materials in your search, but the most common exterior doors you’ll find will be made with wood, steel, or fiberglass. Wood is the oldest entry door material and is still popular to this day. It has a classic beauty and natural warmth. But wood is also very high maintenance. They can be very water permeable, so without regular staining, they will rot, swell, and warp. For all of this, wood doors are still remarkably expensive.

Steel doors are stronger, which makes them more impact-resistant. They hold up better against the elements, though they’re not impervious. Steel doors can succumb to rust or peeling paint. They can also become dented and dinged over time.

Fiberglass doors are rising in popularity, and the truth is that fiberglass is simply the best exterior door material you can find. It is as strong as steel but holds paint color for longer and doesn’t rust. It can take on beauty and style similar to wood doors, and it’s been shown to be the most energy-efficient option, as well, resisting heat loss and drafts.

Where To Buy Exterior Doors

When you’re looking for anything to add to your home, it’s best to go with a local company. Local companies will know the climate well, in addition to the materials that best hold up to that climate. They also tend to feel more accountable to their customers, as these are their friends or neighbors.

A company that offers fiberglass doors in all the popular styles is also a must, so you can find the door that’s right for your home and will hold up for as long as you own the home. That means they should not only be fiberglass doors, but fiberglass doors made by trusted manufacturers like Therma-Tru, JELD-WEN, and Masonite. Today’s Entry Doors offers all of this, and we install every door that we sell. We’re also the best-reviewed door company in Orange County, making us a terrific choice when you need to find a new exterior door.

Are you thinking about buying a new exterior door? Let us help. Contact Today’s Entry Doors today to learn more or to shop for your exterior doors!

Entry Or Exterior Door Dimensions Orange County

Doors, Our Products, Products

What Are The Typical Exterior Door Dimensions?

October 14, 20210

The Typical Exterior Door Dimensions In Orange County, CA

Hi there, are you gearing up to get a new exterior door for your Orange County, CA home?

Getting familiar with some of the basics, like typical sizes and dimensions?

Great!

When you invest in a high-quality, custom entry door, there are many important considerations and factors.

Style, for one. Coloring. Glass. In-swing or out. And so on. And once all these different options are made, you need to know the dimensions of your current doorway and potentially the bigger, bolder doorway you’re expanding into.

You need to start measuring!

Here at Today’s Entry Doors, we send our popular Mobile Showroom to your home and take absolutely perfect measurements. With these and your choices, we guarantee a picture-perfect, magazine-quality match.

Let’s talk about standard sizes.

Here are the links to four pages on our site that help people look at typical exterior door dimensions. On each page is an assortment of images of real doors from our installation galleries.

30 Inch Double Doors

These are impressive. Do you recall the last time you walked up to a home with a pair of 8-feet-tall, 30-inch double doors?

They make you say, “Wow!”

That particular double entry door is an antiqued 60’’ x 80’’ Jeld-Wen fiberglass model with a Knotty Alder grain; factory-stained Cashmere. The hardware you see is rubbed-oil bronze from Erntek Wilmington.

We installed that entry door for a nice family in Anaheim Hills.

36 Inch Entry Doors

These are very common across the Orange County, CA area. We know because we’ve got 30 solid years of experience working here with folks just like you.

This is a beautiful Therma-Tru Classic Craft 36’’ x 80’’ fiberglass front door with a mahogany grain; factory-stained Cherry. The glass is Lucerna with black nickel caming and then there’s the oil-rubbed bronze hardware.

42 Inch Entry Doors

These are also quite common in our area of the country, because of how well they mesh with the types of homes folks appreciate here. Just look at what can be done in terms of functionality.

This is a custom 42’’ x 80’’ Jeld-Wen Aurora Estate fiberglass half door, with operable sidelites and Rain glass. Again you’ve got the stoic Knotty Alder grain; factory-stained Caramel.

We installed this in Mission Viejo.

8 Foot Tall Entry Doors

Honestly, these tall doors have become more and more popular in Orange County as time goes on. The only reason we can think of that’s making them so popular is none other than how impressive they are. And how stout as well!

Talk about strong frames in combination with modern fiberglass and strong security measures!

How cool is this door? How awesome is that doggy door?

It’s a 96’’ fiberglass Dutch Door with smooth skin and clear glass; factory-painted white. We installed this for a lovely family in Newport Beach.

Rare Custom Sizes: like the 9-foot tall double entry door we installed with 42-inch wide doors for a 9 x 7 total, not including the framing.

Need a front or exterior door with truly unique or ultra-rare measurements in the Orange County, CA area? We’re the company to call!

No, really. We’re the only ones we know of who can get something custom of this caliber done.

Don’t let the picture fool you; these are huge doors! Not only are they 9 x 7, but the coloring is 100% custom as well. It’s a Jeld-Wen we installed for a really nice family in San Clemente.

Wrapping Up

Are you interested in learning more beyond the typical exterior door dimensions? Contact Today’s Entry Doors, and we’ll be happy to answer all your questions.

We know everything there is to know about upgrading the entryway of your Orange County, CA home. And we’ll be happy to schedule a visit from our Mobile Showroom. Thanks for your time, and we look forward to hearing from you soon.

Doors

How To Accurately Measure A Door

October 12, 20210

Get the Size of Your Front Door Just Right By Learning How to Accurately Measure a Door

Whenever you order a new door, you’ll be asked to provide the door company accurate measurements so they can get the size of the new door and frame right for your home. At Today’s Entry Doors, we replace the entire door system, so you don’t have to worry about fitting the frame to the door, but you will need to get the measurements right for the entry space as a whole. This is precise work, but fortunately we’re experts when it comes to door sizing. We can help with this step-by-step guide for how to measure a door accurately.

Step One: Measure the Width of the Door

Start by measuring the width of the door in three places: top, middle, and bottom. The widest measurement taken is typically in the middle and will count as the width of the door. Don’t worry about measuring the frame in this or any other steps. Once you’ve sent us the measurements for the door, we’ll fit the frame to it based on that.

Step Two: Measure the Height of the Door

Next, you’ll want to measure the height of the door. Measure on both sides for full accuracy. This will allow you to double check your work as well as get the full sense of the door before you send those dimensions to the door company.

Step Three: Measure the Depth of the Door

Finally, you want to get a sense of how thick the door is. Measure the edge of the door depthwise in order to get a sense of how thick your door is.

Step Four: Look at Standard Door Sizes

Once you have your measurements, compare them to standard US door sizes. It should be a fitting match. The most common front door size in the US is 36 inches wide, 80 inches tall and 1 3/4 inches thick. However, some doors can be 84” or even 96” tall, so it really depends on the size of your door frame. Make sure the size you order matches before you order the door.

Step Five: Double Check Before Installation

Again, the size of your door should be precise. You don’t want to damage the door or door frame by trying to fit an ill-fitted door onto your home. Make sure you measure your door again before it’s installed to make sure it’s exactly what the measurement advertised. It might be worth it to double-check your measurements of your door frame, as well, before the installation begins.

Step Six: Count on a Professional

Because every little detail matters when it comes to replacement door installations and measurements, it can be easy to get one of the details a little bit off and to pay dearly for it. Door installation itself can also be a more careful, more time-consuming process than you might expect. That’s why for many homeowners, it’s better to leave the measurements and door installation to a professional. Even if you feel confident in your ability to install your new front door, a professional will save you the effort so you can relax and simply enjoy your new front door.

At Today’s Entry Doors, we’re experts when it comes to premium fiberglass doors. We take care with every measurement, lock, jamb, and hinge. The best news is we install every door we sell, so you don’t have to worry about it yourself. Are you interested in one of our fiberglass entry doors, whether front, back, or side doors? Contact Today’s Entry Doors today to learn more or to get started by scheduling a free entry door consultation. Also, check back to our blog for more information about door choice and installation.

Doors

Glass Exterior Doors: Are They Safe?

October 7, 20210

Glass Exterior Doors Make a Stunning Statement — But Are They Safe?

Whether you’re going for a classic or contemporary look, glass exterior doors are a beautiful addition to your home. They make your front door stand out, and your curb appeal shine. From the inside, they allow the entryway to be flooded with natural light. They’re certain to be a boon from an aesthetic perspective, but the nature of the glass surface does present an important concern for many homeowners: that of safety. How safe are these glass exterior doors, and is there a way to make them safer? In today’s blog, let’s discuss everything you need to know about glass exterior doors.

Pros And Cons Of Glass Exterior Doors

Is a glass exterior door the right choice for your home? With so many different styles, you’re certain to find something that suits your home’s design, but glass doors might not be for everyone. Here are some of the pros and cons to help you make your choice:

PROS:

Optimized sunlight through the entryway, an otherwise often dimly lit space.
Lower maintenance — it doesn’t require painting or staining.
Comes in a wide range of shapes, sizes, and styles to suit any home.
Boosts your curb appeal and makes your home feel more open and airy.
Offers more extended views of your outdoors.

CONS:

Not as private as solid doors.
Less energy-efficient than a solid fiberglass door.
Can potentially be less safe than solid doors.

Types Of Glass Exterior Doors

Tempered glass must be used when it comes to glass exterior doors. Tempered glass has been treated in order to be up to five times stronger than average glass. It also shatters into smaller squares rather than sharp jagged edges. With that said, there are several different types of glass exterior doors or entry doors that can use glass. This includes:

French Doors

French doors have the most open and airy feeling when it comes to glass exterior doors. These are often double doors with panes of glass that take up most of the door. These doors may have grids to break up the glass or may remain open. When these are front doors, they often have glass that is fogged, frosted, or designed in such a way that it is less transparent. This way, you can enjoy the light without sacrificing so much privacy.

Wrought Iron Doors

This is less to do with the glass itself and more to do with the decor that surrounds the glass. In this case, you’ll find a door that has glass — whether it be a small portion or most of the door. A wrought iron design runs across the glass, which adds style and fortification to the glass.

Doors With Windows

In some cases, the glass will not span the majority of the door but rather a small section towards the top. Some doors will have windows of sorts. These are typically fixed windows with frosted, decorative glass or even stained glass. They come in all shapes and sizes but are typically installed some distance from the handle and lock.

Doors With Sidelights

Sometimes glass is a part of the overall entrance, but not necessarily a part of the door itself. Sidelights are long vertical panels that span the height of the door and allow light into the entryway without actually compromising your privacy.

Glass Exterior Doors And Safety

So now, of course, the question is: are glass doors safe? While it can vary depending on the way the doors are manufactured, glass exterior doors tend to be safer than one might think.

For one thing, tempered glass is — as stated above — considerably stronger than standard glass. It also doesn’t shatter the same way and is often tested for impact resistance before it is released as a glass exterior door. Glass panes built within doors are also sometimes fortified by grids or wrought iron or even the fiberglass of the door material itself.

In terms of privacy, frosted or decorative glass can help. This glass is often not as transparent as other types of glass. It lets in light, but not necessarily any clear view of what’s on the other side. Of course, this also limits your view of the outdoors, but it can help to keep the privacy you love while still having a glass exterior door.

Glass doors are already popular when it comes to patio doors, which often run along a track and have a bar lock in order to remain secure. These doors are already thicker than typical window glass. There is some risk, as there is with anything else, but so long as the manufacturing takes security into account, your glass entry door can still be a relatively safe option for your home.

Are you interested in the various door options? Today’s Entry Doors can help you find the perfect fiberglass entry doors, whether with glass or not. Contact us today to learn more about our doors or to get started with a free estimate.

Tag: Exterior Doors