Buying entry doors for your home requires some more research and analysis since these doors will not only be the first thing one notices when looking at the front of your home but will also serve as a protection from intruders. There is a vast choice of front doors on the market and it is up to your particular needs what kind of material, look and price will make certain doors perfect for your home.
Different materials
Fiberglass, steel and wood are typical materials used for entry doors. Fiberglass has a smooth texture and the appearance of wood while it is prone to wear and tear and moderately priced. Still, in case of extreme impact, fiberglass doors can break. Steel doors are the cheapest but they provide the most security. Still, they do not resist weather conditions as well as fiberglass and wood doors while dents and scratches on steel doors can be troublesome to fix. Doors that are made of wood are definitely the best when it comes to looks and weather resistance. Still, they are pretty expensive.
Photo by Chuck Mills Design – Look for craftsman entryway design inspiration
Insulating properties
Doors made of steel and fiberglass are generally more energy efficient that wood doors. Still, one does have to realize that doors occupy a small part of the walls and they are not the main cause of air and warmth leakage. In case you want glass on your doors this can be a concerning thing for insulating properties but this problem can too be solved with installing double or triple-panel glass.
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Ease of installation
In terms of installation only, all kinds of front doors can be installed without many problems. Still, unlike other doors, entry doors are usually pre-made with drilled knob holes and sometimes buying a completely new entry door will not fit the measures of the old one. Therefore it is important to ask around when you shop for doors to get the information about their ease of remodeling and get the details of a professional carpenter who can redo the doors for you efficiently.
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Many styles
There is already a wide selection of styles among the pre-made entry doors, but your imagination is the limit since you can order custom-made doors as well. When choosing the doors to buy or have them made, keep in mind the look of your whole home as well as the look you want to achieve. The house appearance combined with the adequate front doors work the best in completing the uniformity of your home so do not try to use doors as an only way to achieve a certain style since they will look misplaced and stand out too much.
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Security
Steel doors may be your best option when it comes to security but in all honesty it is really not the doors that determine whether the burglar will enter your home or not. According to Locksmith Ryde , the biggest problem with security when it comes to front doors is the quality and strength of hinges, doorknobs and locks. If these are installed properly, the resistance of any material doors will be better. High-quality hinges will prevent breaking the doorjamb while complicated locks and knobs such as deadbolts and mortise locks will keep away the intruders form breaking into your home easily.
Photo by DLG Lighting Co – More craftsman entryway ideas
Basically, it all comes down to what you expect from your entry doors. Still, keep in mind that the appearance and material are not the most important things one has to consider but the investment in proper installation. Therefore, always hire a professional service that would ensure that your doors are properly fitted, adjusted and secured.