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!