You’re ready to upgrade the look of the front of your house, and you’re starting with your front door.
Smart thinking. Research shows that replacing an exterior door with a new door — particularly if it’s made of steel or fiberglass — averages at least a 74% return on the investment made.
The question is, how do you choose the right exterior door for your home?
Here are five tips to consider when choosing exterior door types for your home.
Let’s jump in!
1. Material Choice
Your new exterior door’s material is one of the most important choices you’ll make when replacing your current exterior door. The right material will help you to make a statement and set the style of your home.
Let’s take a look at the most frequently used materials for exterior doors, as well as their unique benefits.
Steel
Steel doors are among the best types of exterior doors due to their cost-effectiveness, durability, and versatility.
With steel, you don’t have to worry about warps and cracks. In addition, steel is highly weather resistant. As a result, you can expect a steel door to stand the test of time.
Glass
More and more exterior doors for homes feature glass today due to glass’s unparalleled aesthetic features. A glass door will instantly add finesse and elegance to your home. And because modern glass features innovative components, they are strong enough to use as an exterior door material.
Before choosing a glass door, though, consider where the door will be installed at your house. For instance, pay attention to the sun’s orientation at dawn and dusk and how it impacts your property.
Let’s say that your house is very bright on the side where you plan to install your new door. A glass door may not work well here. After all, it will reflect the sunlight and make it hard to work on a laptop or watch television.
Meanwhile, let’s say that your home is currently too dark. Installing a glass door may be a smart choice, as it will allow more natural light into your home. This can make your home look bigger and more welcoming.
Note that glass doors work especially well for contemporary houses.
Wood
Wood doors are classic options for exterior doors due to their high-end appearance. Wooden doors also stand out for resisting scratches.
Because wooden doors can feature intricate carvings, they can easily enhance any house’s curb appeal. They are an especially great choice if you want a door design that is more traditional and natural looking.
Note, though, that these types of exterior doors do require more maintenance than other exterior door types do. That’s because these doors’ protective coatings and varnish fade away over time.
Fiberglass
Finally, fiberglass exterior doors are an excellent option for homes due to being relatively inexpensive. They also offer higher levels of energy efficiency than other types of doors do.
2. Security
Consider the door’s security when choosing an exterior door as well.
For example, when purchasing doors, select a door with an ultra-secure locking system. The door knobs and handles should be made using high-quality materials.
Also, pay close attention to your door’s frame. The frame should be solid enough to handle strong winds or even people who attempt to break the frame open.
Steel doors are especially known for their security due to having robust inner steel frames.
3. Aesthetic Features
As you explore your options for exterior doors, try to pick a style that complements your house’s architectural style as well. This will make your house look more alluring and therefore increase its value.
For instance, if your home has a rustic vibe, consider purchasing a classic wooden exterior door. Meanwhile, if you want a more sophisticated look, go with glass.
Either way, choose a door that matches your home’s theme as well as your style and taste.
4. Insulation
The quality of your future exterior door’s insulation is another important factor to consider as you shop around for a new door.
Front doors that are made of fiberglass or steel are better at insulating against the elements than wood doors. The majority of steel doors are insulated using foam that is high density.
However, no matter what door you choose, it is critical that you select a door with no gaps and leaks.
For this reason, be sure to choose a door with weatherstripping, which will keep air from seeping through. This will also help to ensure that the door locks properly when it is closed.
When an exterior door is correctly sealable, thanks to having thermal insulation, your house will stay cool in the summer and warm in the winter. And this will translate to home energy cost savings long term.
5. Colors
Finally, choose a door whose color matches the rest of your home’s aesthetics. This will help you to create a harmonious appearance on your property.
Colors like blue and green are particularly popular for home exteriors. No matter which color you choose, make sure that it reflects your neighborhood’s climate along with your own home’s style.
How We Can Help with Choosing the Best Exterior Door Types
The right exterior door will match your home’s style and create the polished design you envision for your home’s exterior. It will also provide your home’s entrance with a matchless personal touch.
At Amenity Windows & Doors, Inc., we take pride in offering a wide variety of exterior door types that can enhance your home’s curb appeal. We can assist you in choosing a door that won’t detract from your house’s overall appearance. Contact us today for a free estimate on your door replacement!