It can be a real challenge to pick the right front door for your house. You have so many factors to consider; the age of the house, weather conditions, your personal style and functionality. The front door to a house can be striking, a jewel on the face of your home that can leave a great impression,and should be chosen accordingly.
Do You Just Need A New Door?
If you’re lucky, replacing a new door will take a few moments. But sometimes, with weather and age the door frame, the jamb and threshold may need to be replaced. According to This Old House, a pre-hung door may be appropriate if the frame is out of joint. If your new door is wooden, planing the door is another good option to get the perfect front door for your home. Pre-hung doors usually include weatherstripping. At some point, you must decide if you have a right or left hand door. Facing outdoors, look at the doorknob. If the knob is on the left, you have a left-handed door. Before purchasing a pre-hung door, measure the height and width of the door jamb, and add 1/2 inch to both the height and the width.
Choosing A Good Front Door
The next step is to decide if you want a pre-made door, or if you want to hire somebody to craft a door for you. Home and garden stores, door manufacturers or lumberyards are great resources for a pre-made door. If you have a specific style in mind that isn’t pre-made, consider ordering a custom-made door from a manufacturer or a woodworker.
The Right Stuff
Now, it’s time to consider what sort of material you would like for your new door. Steel doors offer enhanced durability and will stay secure. Starting around $200.00, they are the most affordable, attainable option available. Fiberglass composite is great if you live in an area with extreme weather or high-humidity. These doors can withstand whatever brutal weather Mother Nature can throw at them. Wood veneer over composite doors have the benefit of beauty and strength. They come in a variety of colors, or come ready to paint. Solid wood is a bit pricier, starting at $600.00 per door. Aluminum doors are strong and secure, but are the most expensive of all the options.
Related Resource: Fiberglass Siding
A Great First Impression
Whether your door is a natural wood hue, has sparkling stained-glass windows or offers a bright pop of color all depends on the look of your house and your own personal taste. Look at the outside of your house first. If you have a small ranch-style house, it probably wouldn’t do to have an enormous, ornately carved wooden door. Take a walk through the neighborhood to see what other people have done with houses similar to yours that you like, or leaf through magazines. You can find plenty of inspiration to answer the question, how do you pick the right front door for your house?
