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Entry Door Replacement: How To Choose the Right One for Your Home

entry door replacement

Your entry door is a way to show your personality and welcome guests into your home, as well as provide a barrier for your home against the weather. But what you might not know is that replacing your entry door can increase your home’s value.

Installing a new door has a potential return on investment(ROI) of up to 75%, and those are certainly good odds. Keep reading to learn more about entry door replacement and find out the best entry door to suit your needs.

How To Choose an Entry Door

There’s a lot to consider when choosing an entry door. These entry door replacement tips about the different ways the doors can be assembled, as well as materials and styles, and hiring a contractor for installation will help you determine the entry door for you. 

Pre-hung vs Slab Doors

The two ways entry doors can be bought are pre-hung and slab. Pre-hung doors are already attached by hinges to a three-sided doorframe. These are more expensive as they’re packaged and shipped ready to be installed. 

There are a few types of pre-hung doors including fully assembled, partially assembled, and knocked down. Fully and partially assembled doors come with either most or all of the components placed. Knocked-down doors have only the basic prep work completed and none of the required components. 

For homeowners who already have a prepared doorframe, it’s important not to purchase pre-hung doors. Pre-hung doors are best for projects where a door frame either hasn’t been built or an old one was removed since there’s no extra labor to build another frame or other features. 

Pre-hung doors however are difficult to manage due to their weight. Additionally, you’ll need to finish the work around it once it’s installed, such as painting, the installation of the trim, drywall, and painting or staining. 

Slab doors are stripped-down doors that don’t include a frame. A pre-cut hole for the doorknob is optional. These aren’t as expensive as pre-hung doors but may cost more for installation

Slab doors are good for those working with existing door frames, either replacing the door with a custom or vintage door or replacing it with one identical to the last. 

Materials

The most common materials for entry doors are steel, fiberglass, and wood. These are all good choices for a door, so figuring out what works best for you and your home comes down to personal preference, the geographical climate, as well as any rules or regulations you’re subject to. 

Steel

Steel doors provide maximum security, both from the elements and intruders. They’re inexpensive and stronger than most other door materials. Steel is energy-efficient and requires a low amount of maintenance. 

If you’ve ever brought large furniture through your front door, you’ve probably bumped into the door or the frame itself with it. A negative of steel doors is that scratches and dents are difficult to fix, possibly leaving a visible blemish on your door.

A steel door will run you about $150-$1,250 making it an affordable investment for most homeowners. 

Fiberglass

Like steel, fiberglass-composite doors are durable and averse to weather damage. Fiberglass doors are a good option because of their ease of installation, low maintenance, and energy efficiency.

For those looking for the look of a wood door without the upkeep, fiberglass is a perfect option. They’re also a good choice for extreme climates and high-traffic entrances, as they won’t warp and be prone to rot like wood doors and can withstand constant use. 

These have a similar price range to steel, being around $250-$2,000. 

Wood

Although there are a few negatives to wood such as the maintenance requirements, the need for proper sealing to keep out moisture, and the fact that they’re less energy efficient than the alternatives, there are plenty of reasons to consider a wood door for your entryway. 

One of the biggest reasons homeowners opt for a wood entry door is the visual appeal, especially for more traditional-styled homes. They’re sturdy and heavy, creating an elegant feel when you step through the door. 

Similar to fiberglass and steel, they’re very secure and dent-resistant. A large advantage as well is that they’re customizable, being made in nearly any style and they’re available with or without glass features. 

These doors can be made from a variety of different wood types, suiting any budget. And because they’re made from a natural resource they’re more eco-friendly to produce than ones made from synthetic materials.

Buying a wood door can cost you anywhere from $40-$5,000, depending on the type of wood and any additional features you wish to add.

Styles of Entry Doors

Choosing a door that matches your sense of style and the design of your home might be a bit difficult with so many options on the market. Here’s a breakdown of a few of the more popular styles of the best entry doors.

Modern/Contemporary

Modern and contemporary doors focus on streamlined looks and patterns, with symmetrical designs and either one large panel of glass or small panels in the center. These are also generally the most brightly colored. Depending on the color of the rest of your home, going modern might be a way to add some flair to your entryway.

Traditional

Traditional doors are symmetrical, and may or may not include some decorative molding. Often made of wood or made to seem as if they are, these typically don’t have any glass within the door itself. Many opt for sidelights or other ways of letting natural light in through the entrance. 

Craftsman

Similar to the traditional style, craftsman doors are usually made from wood and use rectangular windows and panels. One of the most standout features is the dentil shelf, which is usually under the glass opening at the top of the door. 

Rustic/Farmhouse

Rustic and farmhouse doors are similar in style but there are a few key differences. Both of these are usually hand-crafted from fiberglass or wood, however, rustic doors are typically bulkier and tend to either not have windows at all, or one large window. Farmhouse doors however are slimmer, and especially for modern farmhouses, they’re designed with cleaner lines as opposed to the rougher or more handmade feel of rustic doors.

The Cost of an Entry Door Replacement

Replacing your entry door can cost you around $1,000, depending on the style and material of the door. Choosing a pre-hung door over a slab can save you some funds on the labor and installation. 

You can expect to add on a few dollar signs for custom doors or more ornate models, as well as when factoring in the cost of a new frame if needed, and the cost of locks and other features. 

Call To Replace Your Entry Door Today

The right entry door for your home depends on the style of your home, your budget, and any climate needs or other considerations for a door to fit with your lifestyle. With this entry door replacement advice under your belt, you’ll have a better idea of how to choose the best entry door for you. When you’re ready to boost your home’s value choose Amenity Windows. With a broad selection of products and quality service, they’re perfect for all of your exterior door needs. 

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