Facing Forward: Choosing the Best Front Door
by Gabby Hyman
Your front door provides the first impression of your home when visitors come by. It expresses the personality of your home and lends a sense of solidity, charm, or elegance. The latest door styles and materials can add appeal without compromising on energy conservation and security against intruders. A wealth of style options and price ranges offer anyone considering a new entry door the freedom to find the door that fits.
Quality should be your first consideration. Common door sets are constructed of a range of materials, but the door surface creates the variables in price, durability, energy efficiency, and overall appearance. Most homeowners prefer a wooden front door. However, composites are rapidly making their way into the marketplace.
The ultimate cost for a wooden door can depend on cutting and finishing as well as the wood materials choice: maple, oak, cherry, fir, mahogany, pine, or walnut. Solid wood entry doors fetch the highest prices. You can save money in selecting a door that has layers of stylish wood-veneer added over a lesser-quality--but solid--wood core.
Choosing Steel, Fiberglass, and Aluminum Doors
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Steel entry doors may offer greater security than wooden ones. That's why these relatively inexpensive alternatives have gained in popularity. They come with vinyl coatings or polyester finishes, and some have veneers that resemble a wood finish. They're durable and require little care.
- Fiberglass front door kits come with or without hardware. They're known for affordability, low maintenance, and durability in muggy climates where wooden doors often warp. You can choose among wood-texture facings that can be stained. Depending on the door manufacturer, some come with long-term warranties.
- Aluminum doors are custom-fit front doors created in custom sets, sold by dealers. They can be as expensive as wooden doors when all is said and done. But many aluminum door sets come with 20-year warranties and never need painting or touch-up. The internal core helps with energy conservation.
You can easily find savings in selecting inexpensive hardware, but be sure not to skimp on quality when it comes to locks and latches. Many front doors replacements come in "pre-hung" condition. If your existing framing and hinge set has been damaged, you may need to call in an expert to hang the new door correctly.
Then there are the extras to consider. If your entry door has a window set, be sure to look for e-coatings, double paned, or other energy efficient options.
About the Author
Gabby Hyman has created online strategies and written content for Fortune 500 companies including eToys, GoTo.com, Siebel Systems, Microsoft Encarta, Avaya, and Nissan UK.
