How to Replace an Exterior Door
May 22, 2021
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People replace exterior doors to improve their home’s curb appeal, improve energy efficiency, increase security, and get rid of broken doors. If you notice that your exterior door is not functioning well, it is time to find a new replacement.
A front door gives the first impression of your home, and it is essential to choose a style that fits your home’s architectural design. However, with so many types and materials of front exterior doors, selecting a particular one for a homeowner can be challenging. Our guide will help you select the best for your home replacements.
1. Choose A Good Material
Front doors are made from different materials each with different properties. As such, before selecting the front exterior door material, ensure you read about its characteristics, pros, and cons so that you can choose the one that suits you.
a. Wood
Wood doors are the most common. People prefer wood because of its natural look, sturdiness, durability, and it provides energy efficiency. You can stain wood with different finishes. Wood doors are made from various species of wood.
However, this material is prone to water and insects. Wood absorbs water and swells. Water also causes it to rot, and the rotting can be transferred to the walls. Wood doors require high maintenance. This material easily fades, so you should keep restaining the door to maintain the magnificent look.
b. Fiberglass
If you are looking for energy efficiency in an exterior door, fiberglass is the best door material. You can get exterior doors of different styles made from this material. The material is sturdy and durable and does not fade. You should buy a color that blends well with the rest of the house because you cannot repaint this door.
If you like wood but don’t want to incur the maintenance cost it comes with, you can get a fiberglass door with wood finishing.
c. Steel
This is another common exterior door material. Many homeowners go for steel because it is affordable, durable, and does not require a lot of maintenance. It is not advisable to install steel doors in houses near the ocean because it rusts due to high salt concentration.
2. Features To Consider In N Exterior Door
a. Type Of Door
You will find many types of exterior doors in the market, and your choice depends on your taste. The space available and your budget will also influence the type of front door you choose. Most people go for single doors because they are affordable and require a small space.
If you want to have a grand entrance, you can go for double or sliding doors. Adding sidelight to the entry brings the illusion of a wide opening.
b. Door Swing
To which direction do you want your door to open? Some doors open to the inside and others to the outside. This choice will be determined by the space and your preference.
c. Glass Options
There are many glass options to choose from. The choice will be influenced by what you want in a front door. If you wish for your entry to protect the interior from UV light, you can go for tinted glass.
Double and triple glass panes are for energy efficiency and soundproofing. You can also choose to have textured glass for additional security.
3. Door Slab or Prehung?
You can choose to buy either a slab or a prehung door system. You need to have a good frame if you want to buy the slab only because with a slab, you get the door alone. A prehung door system comes as a complete system of the door and s frame.
4. Measuring To Get The Correct Door Size
If you are replacing your door, it is essential to measure the existing space first so that you buy a door that fits well. Getting the wrong side of the door will cost you another price for trimming it to fit or returning it to the manufacturer for exchange.
5. Installation
After buying your front door, get a qualified installer to do the job for you. This ensures your door is correctly fit into place. A wrongly installed door will not function well.
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