Is It Time Repair or Replace Your Entry Door?
We all know the importance of making a good first impressions. Of course, that’s common advice for job interviews and first dates, but it can also apply to remodeling. Curb appeal for you home can depend on many factors including siding, lighting, landscaping, but the front entry door is the focal point of the facade and trumps the others in terms of “wow” factor. It also performs essential functions like keeping the weather and providing security, and in doing so, is the most used component in the home. Despite this importance, we don’t always give an entry door its due. Maybe it’s time to start thinking of your front door differently. If you have an underperforming door, it may be time to replace your entry door.
WHAT’S IN A DOOR?
A properly maintained, quality door can last for a generation, but a door may be so deteriorated that it makes more sense to replace your entry door than to repair it. If you’re trying to decide if it’s finally time to replace your entryway, take a close look at the following questions:
• Is your front door dented, scratched, or weathered?
• Are the edges of the door panel cracked?
• Does the door let in drafts? Is it missing weatherstripping?
• Is the door hanging unevenly on the hinges?
• Is it often a hassle to close and lock the door?
Deciding to Replace Your Entry Door
If you related to any of the questions above, then it may be time to consider replacing your entry door. Consider the problems that exist with your current front door, but also the benefits of installing a new one—aesthetic improvement, curb appeal, energy efficiency, consistent operation, security, and more. Best of all, research suggests that when you sell the home, you are very likely to recoup most of what you spend on a new door. According to Remodeling Magazine’s 2016 Cost vs. Value Report, front door replacement ranks as the single most cost-effective home improvement project in the Twin Cities, returning more than 95% of the investment!
Of course, deciding to replace your entry door is just the first step. Exterior doors differ in size, architectural style, and accessories. There are also different slab material options, and for many homeowners, knowing the difference between wood, fiberglass, and steel often ends up being the most challenging part of the process. Selecting the right material for your door can depend on budget and the positives and negatives of each door style. A few tips for navigating material:
With a unique feel and inviting look, wood doors are generally the most traditional, often including custom details and decorative glass. Typically, they’re most at home in architecturally significant house styles like Craftsman, Shaker, and Queen Anne, but since they are available in such a wide array of options, you can bet there’s a wood door out there that would work perfectly as the portal to your place. One of the biggest drawbacks to wood doors is their long-term durability in our Twin Cities climate.
Fiberglass doors can be a better price point than wood, but more appealing to homeowners due to their minimum maintenance. And while a wood door can last a long time, fiberglass doors are known to be more durable in the long haul, being resistant to dents and cracks, rot and rust. You can get them in a virtually any finish you can think of, which means that no matter what sort of house you live in, fiberglass remains a top option. Our Provia Fiberglass Doors offer the best “wood-like” appearance on the market with the top performance rating of any door Made in America.
Now if security is the main thing you want, nothing beats steel doors. Offering the best security, steel entry doors deter potential intruders, block fires, and stand up to the elements. Most steel doors contain an insulating foam core, giving them a high-performing energy efficiency rating. Our steel doors are always to prefinished so you won’t have to worry about painting down the road. The seasonal climate of the Minneapolis/St. Paul area requires a durable door that can perform in the harshest conditions. Provia Doors are a top performer and the most common selection in our market.
Once you’ve chosen a material, there are plenty of ways you can customize your chosen front door. For instance, there are decorative and clear glass options as wells as sidelight units and transom windows. Additionally, there are countless styles and finishes for door hardware—including handlesets, locking mechanisms, and hinges. To see a collection of different looks you can achieve with your entryway, visit our Entry Doors page.
ABOUT US
At Great Plains Windows and Doors, We are all Andersen, All the time. And we’re the only ones doing it this way in the Twin Cities. Come see what we have to offer.
If you need some help navigating the window replacement process or looking to replace your entry door in St. Paul or Minneapolis, look no further than Great Plains Windows and Doors. Our residential window experts are here to help. Find out more at www.GreatPlainsWindows.com or call us today at 651-207-4571.
