Choosing the Right Entry Door
When you visit a new home for the first time, what’s the first thing you notice? Chances are, it’s the front door. When a beautiful home has a well-appointed front door, it makes you want to walk right in and make yourself at home. If you’re looking for a way to add curb appeal, selecting a beautiful replacement door is a great way to go about it.
Our entry door installers have put together some valuable info to help you when you’re choosing a replacement entry door for your home. When you’re ready to roll out the welcome mat with a new front door, give our entry door installers a call!
Steel Entry Doors
If you’re looking for an entry door that has both beauty and strength, a steel entry door from ProVia can give you both. They are one of the most secure door options available. Available in either wood grain or smooth textures and in a number of paint finishes and stains, steel doors are as customizable as any alternative. In addition to being far more durable than their wood counterparts, any dents or dings in a steel door can easily be removed using an auto body kit. They’re highly energy-efficient, and some options are available with the ENERGY STAR certification.
Fiberglass Entry Doors
Fiberglass doors offer the look and appeal of classic woodgrain without the chance that it will dent, warp, split, delaminate, shrink, or crack like traditional wood. Fiberglass doors are nearly maintenance-free and highly resistant to scratches, dents, and the elements. Our fiberglass doors from ProVia are available in a wide range of paint colors and stains including cherry, fir, oak, and mahogany. If you’re looking for an energy-efficient door solution, fiberglass is great at maintaining the temperature inside your home and offers added security over wood doors.
How to Pick Between the Two
Let’s set one thing straight: neither type of entry door is inherently better than the other. It’s why we offer both. Steel might serve one particular family incredibly well, while another might fancy—and get just as much satisfaction and value out of—fiberglass. Because both doors are great in the durability and looks department, this does somewhat make it tricky to pick your material. Here are a few considerations to point you in the right direction.
Security Concerns
As we said, both doors are tough and can take quite a beating—but, to quote This Old House, “a steel door is your best bet if security and durability are top priorities.” It’s made of metal; you can’t get much tougher than that. Keep in mind, though, that fiberglass doors are no slouches in this department, either. It’s just a matter of what you want to prioritize and in what areas.
Budget
Both steel and fiberglass doors can come at a variety of price points, so there’s probably something to fit your budget in both materials. Generally, steel doors tend to be cheaper—but again, this is a generalization. You’ll also have to factor in what extras you want added, such as engravings. Customization needs can also be a determining price factor, as can the overall quality of the door itself.
Maintenance Requirements
Fiberglass is exceedingly low-maintenance and tough against humidity. Thanks to its composite plastic construction, it won’t warp or need repairs after this region’s chaotic freeze-thaw cycles like a wooden door might. While steel doors might need light maintenance, such as dent repair, this maintenance can easily be completed by a qualified professional.
Materials aside, each door and each brand is an individual when it comes to care requirements. Talk to a brand expert, like your preferred entry door installer, for the specifics and make your decision from there.
Entry Door Term Glossary
Here are a few key terms you may need to know when choosing a new front entry door:
● Hinge placement: Whether your door hinge is located on the left or right side of the door.
● Inswing and outswing: The direction of the door as it swings either in or outward.
● Door lites and side lites: Glass panes used both for decoration and light either on or next to an entry door.
● Transom windows: Windows located above the door to bring light in and add height and grandeur to an entry.
● Grille: Decorative details on glass to give the appearance of smaller glass panes.
● Kickplate: A metal plate located near the base of a door to protect against markings from shoes.
● Perimeter seal: Seal on the door to make the door more efficient.
● Bottom sweep: A door sweep to keep the temperature inside your home more comfortable and prevent drafts.
● ENERGY STAR: The United States Environmental Protection Agency and Department of Energy certification for energy-efficient products.
● R-value: Refers to a door’s ability to resist the transfer of heat from one side to another.
● Frame dimensions: The height and width of the door frame.
Budget Exteriors: Top-Quality Bloomington Exterior Contractors
To connect with our entry door installers, call and speak to a member of our team at 952-887-1613 or contact us online for a free quote. We can’t wait to give your home the grand entrance it deserves!