When was the last time you took a good look at your front door? Look carefully. Is it peeling or corroding? Is it dirty and simply won’t get clean? Does it feel flimsy?
Even if you don’t think much about your front door, others who look at your home will usually make the front door the focal point of your home’s exterior. If it’s not clean and in tip-top shape, it may be making your home look grubby or inharmonious. Even worse, it may be sending a message to thieves that it would be easy to break down due to its age and condition.
If any of these things are true, it may be time to look for a replacement front door. There are many reasons why this is a good investment. These include:
Improved energy efficiency. As we begin the winter, it’s important to minimize areas of heat loss to prevent high heating bills. Entry doors are one of the primary sources of heat loss during winter months due to their large surface area and lack of insulation around them. Newer doors feature energy efficient designs that help keep more heat inside where it belongs, which could save you significant money on your utility bills.
Harmony with your home’s style. Often, home additions or exterior renovations take place at a different time than front door replacements, which can lead to a mismatch of styles. Is your exterior home decor modern but stuck with a more traditional door? Or is it ornate and neoclassical and mismatched to a modern, simple door? A new front door can give your home’s curb appeal an immediate boost by matching the styles and colors of your home’s overall design scheme.
Better security in a sturdier door. When many of the homes we live in were built, front doors were chosen based on the lowest possible cost. If this is the case – particularly if the door is old – your front door may be a security weak spot that could be easily forced by an intruder. You’ll have a choice of materials when it comes to a new front door, and these will generally include steel, wood or fiberglass. If security is your number one goal, then steel is your best bet, though it may be a bit outside of your budget.
In any case, security experts note that it’s less important what your front door is made of and more important that the locking mechanism be secure since the lock is usually the point of failure when a door is forced. Consider purchasing a door with a deadbolt that’s at least one inch long and features a reinforced metal strike plate. A door lock with a significant number of locking pins will be virtually impenetrable.
By finding a door specialist who will work with you to choose the right door based on design, security, and energy efficiency, it will be easy to find the perfect door for your home.