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You’ve found a wonderful new home. It’s got modern appliances, the floors are gorgeous, the kitchen is super spacious, and the yard has plenty of room for your kids to play. The only issue is the front door.
It’s nice, but compared to the rest of the home, it’s a little plain. For the sake of your curb appeal, it might be a good idea to replace it.
As soon as you head to the store, you’ll see that there are many types of entry doors. Finding the right one can be difficult. We can help make it easier. Check out this guide to weigh your options.
Types of Entry Doors
The first thing to look for when you’re weighing your entry door options is style. There are doors with glass, sidelights, double doors, and dutch doors.
Doors with Glass
Some front entry doors use decorative glass. They bring a classy touch to any home while allowing for some natural light to shine in. Rest assured, even though the panels are glass, you’ll still have your privacy.
You can choose to use clear glass or glass with blinds built-in. This way, nobody can peek into your home.
When you’re picking out one of these doors, the most important question to ask yourself is how much light you want to let in. Your options are 1/2 light, full light, or 1/4 light.
Doors with Sidelights
Sidelights aren’t literal lights built into the door. It’s a window that sits beside the entry door. It adds a little focal interest and brings in some sunshine at the same time.
You can use a single window or two on each side of the door. You can also go with a transom window. It sits above the door, which can also bring some fun architectural interest to the table.
Double Entry Doors
If you want a dramatic look, double entry doors have you covered. You’ll make a grand entrance every time you come home with your groceries. Don’t worry, there are functional reasons to choose this design as well.
You’ll have a larger opening to move your furniture in. If you use a wheelchair, it gives you more room to get in and out of your house.
Dutch Doors
Dutch-style doors are split in half horizontally. The top half of the door opens while the bottom half stays closed shut. They’re great if you have children or pets.
You can open the top of the door to let a little light in and get some fresh air without having to worry about any escape artists. You can receive a package without your dog jumping on the delivery man. It’s also an interesting aesthetic.
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Pre-Hung Vs. Slab Doors
There are two terms you’ll see thrown around when you’re shopping. These are pre-hung and slab. Pre-hung doors come attached to the doorframe and hinges.
It includes almost everything you need to install it. It has weather-stripping, but the door handles, locks, and other hardware come separately. Speaking of installation, these are a little more complicated to work with.
You have to remove your current door and frame to make room for the new one. If you are doing a replacement, a slab door might be a better choice.
You’ll only receive the door. There’s no frame, weather-stripping, or hardware. To install it, all you have to do is take your current door off the hinges and put the new one on.
Front Door Materials
Now that you know what door style you want, it’s time to choose a material. You can go with the classic wood or pick something a little more unique.
Wood
Wood doors are the most popular option because of the versatility. You can order them to your exact specifications. It’s easy to customize them with windows, sidelights, and more.
Keep in mind that they do take a little more maintenance than other door options. You’ll have to stain or paint them every once in a while to keep up appearances.
Your wooden door won’t dent the same way metal ones will, but the material does expand and contract with the elements. This means that you have to worry about warping.
You may have to replace your wooden door a little more often than you would like unless you go with a thicker wood that’s less prone to warping.
Fiberglass
If you like the classic look of wood, but want something a little more durable, fiberglass has you covered. You can stain it pretty much any color that you want. They don’t scratch or dent.
They’re weather-resistant, and they have an insulated core that helps keep hot and cold weather out. So, they’re a lot more energy-efficient than the other options on this list.
We will say that you’ll have to spend a lot of money to reap these benefits. Fiberglass isn’t cheap. When you think about how much money you’ll save on your power bill, though, it makes it worth it.
Steel
Steel is the door to get if safety is your main priority. A burglar will have their work cut out for them trying to get past it. They have an insulated foam core that makes them energy-efficient.
They won’t swell or warp when faced with the elements. You won’t have to perform too much maintenance once you get it installed and, they can easily mimic the look of wood.
The only thing that you have to worry about is dents. Steel doors are durable, but it doesn’t take much to form a dent. When this happens, you may end up replacing the entire thing because they aren’t easy to get out.
Iron
Iron doors durable, they offer security, and you won’t have to replace them too often. You can choose to go as ornate or minimal as you want with them.
Their beauty can increase your curb appeal. If a fire breaks out in your home, your door won’t add kindling to it. You’ll save money on your power bill because they offer insulation.
Most iron doors are designed to let in plenty of natural light as well.
Glass
If you like the look of glass, you can choose to have your entire door made out of it. They allow for tons of natural light, and you’ll have a nice view of the great outdoors.
The only issue is that your neighbors will be able to take a peek inside your home as well. They also tend to let in a lot of cold air, so they aren’t the most energy-efficient door options.
Screen Doors
Once you’ve decided on your material and style, it’s time to choose your extras. A good way to protect your door from the elements and add a little ventilation is to get a screen door.
They come in both hinged or gliding models.
Security Doors
If you’re worried about someone breaking in through your front door, you can get a little peace of mind by installing a security door over your front one.
They are steel in construction, which makes them difficult to get through. The bars are unscrewable, so a burglar can’t take the time to remove them.
Most of them are resistant to corrosion, so you don’t have to worry about the material becoming so weak that an intruder could break the bars.
Storm Doors
Storm doors fit over your exterior door to add a little extra security. They can prolong the life of your door by keeping it away from the elements.
They can provide insulation and add an extra layer of ventilation when the weather gets warm. The only thing to keep in mind with storm doors is that you can’t place them over wood ones unless you’re willing to void your warranty.
Finishes
Now that you’ve got your door installed, there’s only one item left on the agenda. You’ve got to choose a finish. Having the right one will add a shield of protection from the elements.
If you wait too long to choose a finish, it may void your warranty if something happens to your door.
Choose the Right Door for You and Your Family
As you can see, there’s a lot to consider when choosing between the different types of entry doors. Not only do you have to decide on a style, but you need to pick the best material for security and energy efficiency.
A door that can’t give you these things may not be worth your time and money unless you can boost it with the right finish or storm door. This reason alone is why choosing the right supplier of entry doors is so important
Are you looking for more home improvement ideas that can give your new house a facelift? Check out our blog daily for all the latest tips and tricks.
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