Buying the right front door for your house can be a very daunting task but by keeping in mind these practical tips, you’re bound to find the perfect door that complements your home’s distinct style.
First, you need to set a reasonable budget for the door you intend to buy. You should also have a record of the dimensions of your door space and the measurement of the area where your door will swing to open. Once you have these settled, you can then proceed and follow the guide below so you can have an easier time in buying the right front door for your house:
Online Window Shopping – Both big and small companies recognize the value of the internet in promoting their business, which is why most retailers and merchandisers have offered online shopping to their customers. You can visit the sites of manufacturers or sellers of doors and go through the wide selection of main doors. Do a bit of research among a couple of sites and list down the best ones you find. Once you have enough on your list, you can compare the pros and cons of each door then decide which one is the best for you.
Installing the Door – You can opt to purchase a pre-hung door or have the manufacturer make you a customized door. Either choice would entail the need of installing the door to your door space. Pre-hung front doors automatically come with frames and have holes bored into the slab for door knobs or door handles and deadbolts.
Unless you’re remodeling and making the house bigger, buy a replacement front door that has the same size as your previous door. And if you do intend to make your door space bigger, it would be best if you employed the services of a contractor. Note however that most home improvement stores offer door installation services so don’t forget to ask. Additionally, if you know that you lack the skills, it’s always better if you hired a professional carpenter to help you install your door.
Security Should Be Your Priority – Pick high quality hardware to use with the doors. This will spell the difference between having a complete sense of security and always being afraid of someone breaking into your home. If you buy a good door lock, intruders will have a hard time picking the lock to gain entry. There are cases wherein a swift kick can open a door. Choosing front doors made with sturdy materials and installing deadbolts helps keep the house secure.
Experts have proven that exerting strong force on a door will not really have an effect on the slab of the door; it’s the doorjambs near the strike plate of the lock that gives upon impact. This means that thicker and stronger locks and strike plates can make your door sturdier. You may also use longer mounting screws so they are able to hold the door frame even beyond the jambs. Furthermore, you should also remember to consider how secure the other entries to your house are – these include windows, garage doors, back doors, and even chimneys.
Choose the Materials – Depending on your needs, your main door can be made of different materials. Below is a list of the most popular choices for doors and some insights of their positive and negative traits:
Wooden Doors – Traditionally, doors are usually made of wood materials. Wooden doors offer timeless elegance and an inviting vibe to any home. Maintenance is very easy too though it would require regular and constant refinishing. Buying wooden doors can still be considered the most expensive specifically for customized front doors.
Steel Doors – The most widely used type of door as it provides an increased security to the homeowners. They don’t cost as much as wooden doors and though they don’t last that well against changes in weather. There’s no need for constant maintenance to keep the door beautiful except when dents or scratches are made. If you don’t properly refinish the paint of your metal door, rusting may occur. Metal doors with glass panels improve the internal lighting making the inside of the house warmer.
Fiberglass Doors – Fiberglass is the most fragile material used for main doors. It can be cracked or even break because of strong impact. The good thing about fiberglass doors is how it offers flexibility. The surface of your door may either be smooth or have an embossed texture. They also last better against weather elements that metal doors. They are not too expensive and are usually scratch-proof. You don’t have to regularly clean or refinish this type of door as well.
After you have taken all these steps, the last thing you need is choose the design. Find something that would best fit the architectural design of your house. You should also make sure your front door is able to represent your personality as it is what greets your guests when they come to visit you.
Jove Arthur is a very detail-oriented carpenter. He is working as a sales manager at Door Emporium, which offers fantastic selection of elegant wood interior French doors, wood entry doors, solid wood doors, and other interior doors.
