So far in our Spring Spruce Up series, we’ve covered, When it’s Time for New Siding, When it’s Time for a New Roof, and When it’s Time for New Windows.
In our fourth installment of the series we’re shifting our attention to exterior doors, specifically tell-tale signs that you might need a new front door, as well as the different types of door materials, and the top brands you’ll want to consider for your front door replacement.
Let’s get started …
TELL-TALE SIGNS YOU MIGHT NEED A NEW FRONT DOOR
YOUR ENTRY DOOR IS DRAFTY
Drafts don’t just happen in the winter, it’s just that in the warmer months the drafts are letting in hot air — either way, drafts are a sure-fire way to increase energy bills because of extra use of your heating and cooling units. The front door, in addition to your windows and insulation, is one of the culprits that can let a draft into your home. Check for entry door drafts by carefully holding a candle or lighter near the door frame. A flame that flickers means there’s a draft from incoming air flow.
YOUR DOOR IS “STICKY” WHEN YOU OPEN OR CLOSE IT
Is your door easy to open and close in the summer, and hard to open and close in the winter? This is a classic sign that you may need a new door. What happens is in the winter the door can expand (especially if it’s made of wood), and in the warmer months it can contract. There are times that an entry door can stick because of loose hinge screws, which is a pretty easy fix. But if the door is expanding and contracting, or has a misalignment in the door jamb, it might be a more practical solution to simply replace the door.
YOUR DOOR IS NOT SECURE
If your entry door has become weak or damaged over the years, it may not be as secure as it used to be. Another thing to look out for is if your lock does not fully engage when closing the door. This can be due to door swelling in colder months, or door shrinkage in warmer months, which could cause a gap between the door lock and strike plate. Wood doors, when not cared for, can become less secure due to a number of reasons, including …
YOUR DOOR IS WEATHERED
The natural wear and tear caused by Wisconsin weather can do a number on your front door — especially if it hasn’t been cared for over the years. Wood doors, especially, can be weathered due to the expansion and contraction we talked about earlier — developing cracks or warps in the panels. That said, if you inspect your entry door and find cracks, uneven surfaces or gaps it might be time to replace it for energy efficiency and safety reasons.
YOUR ENTRY DOOR IS LOOSE
Does your entry door squeak when you open and close it? This might mean you have loose hinges. This can be an easy fix if it’s simply loose screws. That said, if the door needs constant attention, and is failing to remain secure, it’s a good idea to look into replacing it. The interesting thing is that a door may loosen over time, and there may not be a huge sign that it’s gotten considerably looser — unless you intentionally inspect the door.
YOU WANT TO SELL YOUR HOME
Curb appeal is something we hear about a lot in our business. And whether you’re looking to sell, or simply give your home a facelift — having a new front entry door installed can go a long way in sprucing up the look of your home … and it’s one of the least expensive ways to do so.
MOISTURE DAMAGE IS PRESENT ON YOUR ENTRY DOOR
A wood door that’s been compromised by the rain and snow can lead to rot, mold, mildew, and insects in your home. If moisture is present, it’s important that you have a professional take a look ASAP. And if this is the case, we encourage you to call your insurance agent, as well, to have the door inspected before it’s replaced to see if you have coverage on your policy.
ENTRY DOOR MATERIALS
When it comes to entry door materials, you can choose from vinyl, wood, fiberglass and steel doors. No matter what the style of your home, or your budget, there are many options to choose from within each of these materials categories — so it’s just a matter of working with your exterior door contractor to determine what is the best fit for your home.
KNOW YOUR BRANDS
We always like to say, “not all doors are created equal.” Of course this is also true for roofing, siding, and windows. Simply put, we recommend hiring an exterior door contractor who installs one of the following brands. They’re all well known in the industry for providing superior products, along with excellent warranties. If you choose a front door replacement simply based on price, it may come back to cost you more in the long run because it’s not as energy efficient, or simply breaks down sooner than a quality product. You don’t have to use Legacy Exteriors to install your new entry door, but choosing one of the following brands is essential for long-term satisfaction …
- Anderson
- Marvin
- Pella
- ProVia
Want to learn more about entry doors?
Feel free to contact Legacy Exteriors anytime to ask questions, or set up a complimentary consultation to discuss entry doors — or any other project you’re thinking about for your home.
