Your front door is one of the first features anyone sees when they visit your home. It’s the focal point of your exterior and, in the right style and colour, offers beautiful curb appeal. A front door that compliments your siding and landscaping can help transform your home into a gorgeous oasis.
However, there’s more to a front door than just looks.
Although having a beautiful front door is important, performance, durability and security are other things to consider when replacing your front door. Let’s dive in to the importance of each of these and why they’re absolutely essential when investing in a new front door.
Performance and Function
There are a few key basic functions a front door should have. The first is, of course, the ability to open and close without jamming or sticking. Jamming and sticking can lead to your door not locking properly, making it unsecure. Then there’s the important function of keeping water out of your home and stopping air from leaking out.
If you notice moisture seeping in at the bottom of your door, or if you feel a draft coming in, these are signs it’s time for an upgrade. Air escaping from your door is increasing your energy bills, so you want to get it taken care of right away! A properly performing door ensures your safety and security, and also lowers your energy bills and risk for moisture damage.
Durability
Durability is another important aspect to consider when investing in a door. Durability mostly depends on the material your door is made of. The classic options are wood, fibreglass, vinyl and steel.
Wood doors are the more traditional option, and although they offer beautiful curb appeal, they’re declining in popularity since they’re not as durable as fiberglass or steel, and also need a higher level of maintenance. Wood doors tend to be the most expensive option and are known to shrink and swell in fluctuating climates.
Steel doors are a popular alternative to wood, but not all steel doors are created equal. They’re made with a wood frame and covered with a steel skin, so keep in mind that the wood frame will need to be maintained. Steel doors are also ideal for magnetic stripping that will seal against the cold. Overall, they’re strong durable and don’t require a lot of maintenance.
Vinyl doors are an exceedingly popular option and are very durable. If you have vinyl windows or are looking to invest in vinyl replacement windows, a vinyl door is the way to go. You’ll have an aligned look for your home and the performance of your windows and doors will also match.
Fibreglass doors offer the look of wood for a fraction of the price. They won’t rot, split, warp, dent or rust, and can also be insulated, which is great for Canadian climates! Fibreglass doors come in a variety or textures and can also be painted your chosen shade.
Security
Feeling safe and secure in your home is of utmost importance. Since your front door is a main point of entry, you want to make sure it’s secure as possible. Make sure you have a strong and durable door with a solid frame that can’t be kicked in. Gentek offers a number of maximum privacy door lines for your security needs. On top of that, you also need a good locking system. There are lots of options out there these days, from powerful deadbolts to smart locks you can control remotely.
A beautiful front door will elevate your curb appeal, but there’s more to your front door than just looks! Take performance, durability and security into consideration when buying a replacement door!
Don’t forget, from now until April 30th, we’re offering free design services on the Gentek project visualizer platform! Get your home prepared by our professional designers in as little as 3 business days, and create beautiful designs in a jiff!
