Your entry doors say a lot about your home - about its value, its security, and most obviously, its style. When choosing replacement doors for your home, there’s more than just the look of the doors to take into account. In fact, picking out a new front door can wind up being a high-value project for you to invest in, and picking the right front door can increase your home’s security, add value to your property’s curb appeal, and reduce your utility costs. That’s why we here at EcoView Windows & Doors have made a list of a few things to keep in mind when choosing the right doors for your home.
Set a Budget
It doesn’t matter if all you’re doing is purchasing one new front door, replacing that door should still be considered a home improvement project, and for every project you do, you need to determine the amount you’re comfortable spending, and then stick to it. This number should come after careful consideration of costs and benefits of purchasing a new door, in particular:
- Upfront costs
- Long-term benefits, like home value
- Life of the door
- Maintenance needs
- Energy efficiency & weather protection
- Included features, like windows & mail slots
- Additional costs like staining or painting required
Consider Your Materials
While the look of your door is important for curb appeal, just as important is choosing a door that is durable, performs well in weather, and is energy efficient. Here are some of the most common materials used for entry doors:
- Wood – A classic choice, authentic wood will give your door unique grain patterns and color. Within wood, there are many options for type, panel style, historic accents, and other embellishments as well.
- Steel – Typically the more affordable choice, steel is extra durable and won’t warp, crack, or dent. Most steel doors offer a smooth surface and are limited in panel design and color options. Steel doors can, however, include insulated cores, which can make them energy efficient.
- Fiberglass – Offering the broadest variety of styles, fiberglass can feature the realistic look of stained wood, or the smooth panel surface of a painted door. This material is typically energy-efficient, making them durable and easy to maintain. Because of the large selection of options to choose from, fiberglass doors are offered at varying price points.
Many doors also contain decorative additions, such as glass embellishments. These, too, will affect the initial price and long-term cost of your door, but the immediate increase in property value may negate this, too.
Size Matters
Entryways differ according to the architecture of your home, so it’s important to measure your doorway and acknowledge what size requirements your door will need, including larger, taller, wider, thicker, or double doors.
When you want to replace your front door, call EcoView and make sure you get the right door for your home with the help of our experienced professionals.
