A lot of homeowners out there pay so much attention to how their curb appeal looks. It’s hard to blame them though, the front yard of their house is the first and last thing visitors see, so they want to make a favorable impression as possible. From the garden and the mailbox to the front door and the driveway, others invest so much money in making their home exteriors look glorious from the outside. Some even use high-quality guttering materials to make their gutters looking sharp as ever.
But if there’s one thing people are obsessed about these days, it would be their front doors. Now, you may be thinking that a door is just simply a door, but the truth is, not all doors are equal. It serves as the welcoming beacon for your guests and your first line of defense against intruders. For these reasons, the front door actually deserves some credit for what it is getting.
The wrong door can make a house look odd and off-balance. It shouldn’t only look beautiful and be durable enough to withstand weather conditions and keep out potential intruders. With this in mind, we’ll discuss helpful suggestions when choosing the right front door for your living space.
Energy efficiency and insulation
Fiberglass and steel front doors have better insulation than wood doors. Remember, major heat loss happens because of airlock performance and not because of the door itself.
The construction, design, and quality of the doorframe are three important factors that affect the insulation of doors. You need to ensure that the threshold locks smoothly along the door’s bottom edge and the weatherstripping has proper sealing. Otherwise, you lose heat during winter even when the door is closed.
In general, front doors aren’t constructed from one material, but it’s a combination of different elements to ensure maximum safety and insulation. Quality fiberglass and steel front doors have a thermal break, a heat-resistant feature to prevent cold air pass through the frame and skin, which causes the formation of frost along the interior surface. Metal front doors also contain insulated foam and steel in their panel and are one of the safest options.
Although every construction material has slight differences in insulation and energy efficiency, what will help you decide is the overall performance of the door in terms of installation, flashing, and weatherstripping. The door must fit perfectly into the frame, and its materials should be durable enough to serve as a thermal barrier.
Door material
Steel, wood, and fiberglass are three of the most popular material for front doors, but each comes with a unique set of advantages and drawbacks. Your preferred material will depend on the budget and the coverage of the front porch.
Fiberglass doors are fairly easy to maintain and energy-efficient. They are available in almost every texture and color, and you can easily paint them depending on your mood.
Wood doors are customizable and look sophisticated but require regular upkeep to protect their quality from aging and other elements. If you don’t have a covered front porch, consider installing a storm door to prevent the wooden door from deteriorating or warping over time.
Steel doors, on the other hand, are very durable and cost-effective. Although they come in limited textures, it’s entirely possible to paint steel doors. They’re also low-maintenance, but you’ll still need to paint the entire surface because bare metals are prone to dents and scratches.
Style and security
Just like the materials, front doors come in various styles: multi-light, solid wood, and traditional panel doors. But whichever style you choose, you have to consider its security features.
As the main entry point of the house, the door should be accessible only to its occupants and anticipated guests. The front door should come with safety features and a locking mechanism. A fully secure door should have at least two locking options and unexposed hinges. Your choices range from deadbolts, strike plates, locking pins, and mortice locks. These features ensure the front door is virtually impenetrable and bring peace of mind to its occupants.
Detail is also important if you’re looking for a stylish front door. Besides the color and texture, the accessories and hardware should complement its style and security, such as the letterbox and door handles.
While the door is just a small portion of the entire home improvement process, the type of door you pick will affect the appearance, safety, and energy efficiency of your home. When shopping, consider consulting professional door services to help you make the right decision. Above all, make sure to hire a reputable door company to ensure quality services and satisfaction.
