Doing More with Your Front Door

Is it time to replace your home’s front door? If your current door is boring or your foyer drafty, the answer may be yes. Not only can a new door boost exterior appeal, it will prepare interior spaces for temperature fluctuations. This makes your home more appealing and comfortable, and saves you money on electric bills. Here are some important factors to consider when it comes to choosing entry doors:

A tailored fit

Nothing feels quite as good as well-tailored clothing created specifically to your size, shape and style preference. Off-the-rack clothing just doesn’t fit everyone’s measurements. Similarly, off-the-rack doors fall short of expectations in the same way. The materials and workmanship that go into custom-made doors are of exceptional quality and durability, and far exceed what is available as ready-made. Unlike consumer-grade doors, which are cut down to fit your need, professional-class doors are built to your exact measurements for a more secure and energy efficient door.

Energy efficiency

Look for Energy Star^®-rated doors, which have been independently tested and certified to meet strict energy-efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency. While a new door does come with a price tag, it’s important to keep in mind that the right choice can help you lower your utility bills and ultimately present a return on your investment.

Materials that last 

While wood doors offer a beautiful classic look, they require regular maintenance and lack the endurance, security and energy efficiency of fiberglass or steel. Consider opting for quality materials that will last a long time, but not force you to sacrifice the look you want. For example, the low-maintenance fiberglass choices offered by door system manufacturer ProVia are among market options that provide the classic look of real woodgrain, but are engineered to be highly energy efficient. 

Matching styles 

When selecting a color and style, take into consideration the current architectural elements of your home. For example, if your residence sports a coastal style, you may want to continue that theme by choosing sea colors, such as grays and blues, for your door and its trim. Keep in mind that an entry door can either be a place to maintain the overall mood of your home’s exterior or a way to add a delightful pop of color. Door manufacturers and retailers often include a visualizer tool on their websites that allows you to upload a photo of your own home or condo and then select doors to see how they would look. These online tools let you play with various door combinations, and you can really get a better sense of what works best style-wise within just a few minutes of using them.