How to choose the right
door for your house

There are quite a few things to look for, from appearance and composition to quality of work

August 8. 2023

Home repairs are always something you need to think about carefully, and the time might come when you actually have to replace your entrance door or other doors in your house. When this happens, you want to be fully prepared to choose the best replacement possible.

In this article, we will lay out a number of criteria for you to consider when looking for new doors. There are quite a few things to look for when shopping for a new door, from appearance to composition to the quality of the people you work with. Be sure to keep these points in mind as you go about the search for a company.

Energy efficiency

When shopping for any home component that leads to the outside, be it doors, windows, or anything else, you want to look for energy efficiency. Not only will you be helping to lower your energy bills by finding energy-efficient doors, but you will be helping the environment and contributing to sustainability efforts overall.

If you are looking for an entrance door, look for one that is made from high-insulation materials. Different doors use different types of insulation for their surfaces, and therefore they can vary considerably in the level of insulation that they provide.

If a door has proper insulation levels, it is able to trap available heat energy on its surface and prevent energy loss. Specifically, you should look for doors that have Energy Star certification. Energy Star has become a standard in homebuilding that is used across components, from doors to HVAC systems to ensure efficiency.

Appearance

Obviously, if you are going to invest in a new front door, you want it to look nice. The trends are changing somewhat regarding the most popular materials to use. While traditionally, people tended to favour the use of wood and steel, these materials are falling out of fashion to some extent. These days, MDF, aluminum, and tempered or armored glass are becoming more popular.

Designs are similarly changing in terms of popularity. One of the popular choices is the Craftsman, which features glass panels at the top. There is also the double front door, which features two sides of equal proportion that open towards the inside. Another style that has faded from popular appeal somewhat, but still bears consideration is the Dutch door, which allows for opening at the top. In short, you have many options to choose from. It all depends on the particularities of your home and the individual features you want.

Safety

Particularly – but not only – if you are living in an urban area, safety will be a major concern for you. Keep an eye out for the following safety features:

• Quality frames. There are different types of frames that you can choose from, and metal ones are arguably the most reliable. Even if your door itself is not made of metal, choosing a metal frame can provide you with the reinforcement you need to give you added safety. These frames also allow for stronger attachment of deadbolts and other types of locks.
• Proper security hinges and cylinder guards. Be sure that the security hinges you choose have hinges on the inside. External hinges can carry the risk of being broken. Also, having cylinder guards around your door knob lock provides assurance that it cannot be knocked off. These should also be reinforced by metal plates.
• Secure locks. Obviously, the most essential feature of having a secure door is having the right locks. Be sure that you have a long bolt that is reinforced by a jamb reinforcing plate. In addition to this, you should install a deadbolt lock.
• If you choose a door that has a window panel, be sure that the glass it is made from is bulletproof and sledgehammer proof.

Installation and maintenance

In addition to the actual materials and features of your door, the actual installation process will be critical. You want to be sure you choose the right company to complete the installation, and that they will be available to do replacement and maintenance for you when necessary.

Be sure to do your research on who the most reliable people in your area are. Ask for names at local home improvement stores, and cross-check any names you get against online third-party reviews. In addition, look to see which social media your chosen company uses and what comments they get on their posts. If you choose a company with a large following that gets positive reviews and has been growing over time, you have likely made a good decision.

Conclusion

Getting a new door for your house is a major consideration and not one to be taken lightly. You have a number of things to think about, including appearance, composite materials, safety, energy efficiency, and the reliability of the company that you find. If you do your research, though, and go about the process carefully, you should end up with a beautiful new door that will keep your home secure, insulated, and looking great for years to come.

Feature image: Evelyn Paris – Unsplash