Of the many doors likely present in your home, few are as important or as often-considered as the front door. From providing security and temperature control to serving as a major part of your home’s aesthetics and curb appeal, front doors are worth taking the time to think about if you need a replacement — and there are some simple ways to go about this process.
At Rocky Mountain Windows & Doors, we’re happy to offer a wide range of exterior door products for all our Utah clients, with front doors serving as some of the most common door types we assist our customers with. If you’ve decided now is the time to replace your front door, or if you’re part of a new home construction and get a say in selecting the new front door, what are the key elements to consider during your search? Here’s a basic primer.
Knowing Your Front Door Material Options
First up, it pays to have some basic knowledge on the different options out there for front door materials. Here are some of the most commonly-used today:
- Wood: A classic front door material, wood provides a wide range of design options and can be stained or painted to achieve the look you desire. It’s also fairly energy-efficient, plus it provides good insulating properties. One downside to wood doors is that they require more upkeep than some of the other options, such as steel.
- Fiberglass: A less common but still viable option for a front door, fiberglass-constructed doors can be made to look like wood — which may be a good choice if you like the look of wood but not the required upkeep. Fiberglass doors are also low-maintenance and don’t require frequent repainting or staining like wood doors.
- Steel: Steel doors are on the rise in popularity, thanks to their durability, maintenance ease and energy efficiency. They’re also quite affordable, which makes them a good option for budget-conscious homeowners.
While there are other front door materials out there, these three make up the vast majority of what you’ll see on the market today.
Features to Consider
While you’ll naturally be thinking about simple front door features like opening mechanisms and locks, these are far from your only choices in this realm. Some others include:
- Decorative glass: If you want to let in natural light and/or create a more inviting entryway, adding decorative glass to your front door is a great way to achieve this. Just be sure the glass is impact-resistant if you live in an area that sees bad weather or high winds.
- Energy efficiency: If you’re interested in making your home more energy-efficient, you can do so by selecting a front door with good insulating properties. This is especially important if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, as a well-insulated front door will help keep your home’s interior temperature more consistent.
- Security: One of the most important functions of a front door is to provide security for your home, so be sure to select a door that comes with a good locking system. You may also want to consider a door with a peephole or security camera, especially if you live in an urban area.
- Curb appeal: Finally, don’t forget that your front door makes up a major part of your home’s curb appeal. As such, be sure to select a door that meshes well with the overall look of your home’s exterior. This includes everything from the door’s color to its style and overall design.
Balancing Aesthetics and Functionality
As we noted at the start of this blog, front doors are important for both functional and aesthetic reasons. When conducting your search for a new front door, be sure to keep both of these factors in mind.
For instance, if you live in an area with extreme temperatures, energy efficiency should be one of your top priorities. However, you also don’t want to sacrifice curb appeal in the name of function, so be sure to find a door that strikes a good balance between the two.
The same can be said for security features. While it’s important to have a front door that comes with a good locking system, you also don’t want your home to look like a fortress. Again, finding a balance is key.
Consider Other Doors You’ve Seen
There’s nothing whatsoever wrong with getting inspiration for your new front door from other doors you’ve seen and liked. If you see a door that you really like the look of, snap a picture of it or jot down the address so you can look into it further.
There are a few different ways to go about this. First, if you know the homeowners, you can simply ask them about the door. They may be able to tell you where they got it and how much it cost.
If you don’t know the homeowners or if they’re not available, you can try looking up the address online. This will likely bring up information on the home, including who the current owner is. You can then attempt to contact them through social media or other channels to see if they’re open to talking about their door.
Of course, you can also just take inspiration from the door without actually finding out any information about it. If you see a door that you like but can’t track down any information on, simply use it as a starting point for your own search.
Budgeting Properly
Finally, as you move through this process, it’s vital to ensure that you’re budgeting properly. Doors can vary widely in price, so it’s important to have a good idea of how much you’re willing and able to spend before beginning your search.
Once you have a budget in mind, be sure to stick to it. It’s easy to get carried away when looking at doors, but if you don’t stay within your budget, you may end up spending more than you’re comfortable with.
For more on how to go about conducting your search for a new front door, or to learn about any of our doors, windows or other services to clients throughout Utah, speak to the staff at Rocky Mountain Windows & Doors today.