Home improvement has looked over the front door, which becomes probably the first sight for visiting guests; but a new front door can renew your home exterior design, make your home better secure, and also facilitate energy conservation. This article will continue its discussion on other aspects of choosing and installing a new front door to improve the curb appeal of your home.
Why to Select the Right Front Door
The front door is one of the first elements a visitor sees when approaching your home. It becomes an important element in setting up a lasting first impression. A selected door can add aesthetic value to your house and make it express an individual style and charm. House styles run on the gamut of being either modern, traditional, or somewhere in the middle. In that regard, there are many kinds, colors, and materials that will suit your needs.
Curb Appeal
Curb appeal simply means how attractive your home looks from the outside. A new front door in an eye-catching fashion will add a lot to the curb appeal of your home, making it more inviting. To choose the right door, get one that will complement the architectural design of your home, so whether it is a traditional home, a classic wooden door might just do it for you while a sleek glass door might be better suited to a more contemporary design.
Security Features
A New front door should primarily offer security. If one needs to acquire a new front door, one should enter the market with advanced security features equipped in the doors. These would be strongly built out of fiberglass or steel, which is much better for security than hollow-core doors. You also need to assure that its locking mechanism is heavy-duty enough to resist breaking. You can further improve security by equipping it with smart locks, which could be controlled using a smart phone application to supervise people’s entry into your home.
Energy Efficiency
A new front door will also make your house more energy-efficient. Many old doors have gaps, which leave your house to experience draughts, thereby increasing the energy bills. Select a door with a high energy efficiency rating, which is usually manufactured from insulated materials. An insulated front door will keep the heat of your house at a constant level. The need for heating and cooling will be minimal.
Choosing the Right Material
The material used would be one of the major considerations when a new front door was being chosen. Some of the popular ones are as follows:
1. Wood
The wooden doors hold that age-old beauty, which can easily be put forth according to the desired style. These doors are very good insulators and can be painted or stained in different colors. Wooden doors do have a problem since they need to be repainted or refinished periodically in order to save the inner damage caused by the environmental factors.
2. Steel
Steel doors are extremely strong and offer much security. They do not get dented or scratched, and they require very little maintenance. Having the installation with insulation further enhances it as an energy-efficient solution for most home owners.
3. Fiberglass
Fiberglass doors are very in vogue because of their versatility and due to low maintenance requirements. These can be made to resemble wood but surely provide superior durability and energy efficiency. Fiberglass doors do not crack or split easily, thus providing a long-term value for money.
4. Glass
Glass doors can add a dramatic flair to an entrance and still let natural light into the house. While not as safe as solid doors, contemporary designs found in most glass doors are fitted with added safety features such as tempered glass and multi-point locking functions. Frosted or textured glass can also be used for privacy with an allowance for light into the rooms.
Installation Issues
A new front door installation is a huge project, which can be undertaken as a do it yourself or professionally. When you do not have any previous experience in home improvement projects, hiring a professional to undertake this task is usually advisable, because chances are that you will either mess up the installation or waste time and resources.
If you hire a professional to install your door, here are the steps to follow:
Research Local Contractors: One way of research is to get a licensed and insured contractor who has good reviews and references. Some ask friends or relatives for recommendations.
Obtain Quotes: Get quotes from several contractors in order to analyze prices and services offered.
Check Credentials: Ensure that the said contractor has experience in installing doors and an understanding of local building codes.
Review of the Contract: The paper will correctly read the contract before signing to ensure clarity of all scope of work, timeframes, and payment conditions.
The advantage of investing in a new front door is that it is attractive, secure, and energy efficient. Simply selecting the best style, material, and installation method for your front door can make for a welcoming entrance that may perhaps reflect the owner’s unique sense of personal taste and add value to their home. Whichever traditional wood grain door or modern fiberglass door style, design they may choose, a replacement front door is sure to be noticed.
