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Are you ready for a new front door? Maybe your current one is worn down, or you’re no longer a fan of its look. Maybe you’re freshly moved in, and it’s one of the things you want done most. Look at our guide to find out what you must consider when replacing a front door.
What You Should Consider When Choosing a New Front Door?
a. The colour
✔ It sounds silly, but this will be a consideration for a few reasons, none of them personal preference. For example, did you know the colour of your door determines how energy efficient it is? Light-coloured doors reflect more sunlight keeping homes cooler in hotter climates, and darker-coloured doors absorb and retain more solar heat to transfer indoors during winter. So, if you’re in a hotter country, you’ll want to go with pastels for more reasons than it will match your garden flowers.
✔ However, your neighborhood’s overall look is also to consider. Some towns and neighborhoods have a look that might go against what you want on your front door. Have you ever seen the rainbow colors of the homes on the Isle of Mull (or Balamory) or Notting Hill? The council or the Home Owners Association must approve their front doors and external colors.
b. Any other aesthetics
✔ However, if your front door is only your business, you have free reign to enjoy it. The door is part of a home’s curb appeal, so discuss how to match the architectural style. Look into options like glass inserts on doorways.co.uk, fun colors that pop, and the beautiful knockers that go viral on Pinterest and Instagram.
c. The security
✔ Of course, the main point of a front door is to keep the rest of the world out. Be that the climate or unwanted visitors. It’s an essential part of keeping you and your family safe, and there are things you can do to help it do its job.
✔ The first would be a reliable lock. A single-cylinder deadbolt lock provides basic security but double-cylinder locks and heavy-duty bolt works offer better security and are more challenging to compromise. Smart locks may allow keyless remote locking and unlocking, which adds convenience. Some even have alarms built in to detect forced entry.
✔ Consider installing a smart doorbell with a camera that can be managed remotely for security.
✔ As for the door itself, you can add to the security of it by choosing a solid and sturdy door made of fiberglass, steel, or solid wood.
d. The energy efficiency
✔ As we mentioned, your door goes a long way to keeping the temperature in your home regulated and, therefore, your energy use and bills down. Remembering insulation in a colder climate or preparing for winter is essential.
✔ Doors made of metal and fiberglass typically offer better insulation than classic wood, but the best insulation comes with polyurethane foam or insulated glass inserts within the door. This boosts the whole door system’s R-value and blocks heat transfer.
✔ You’ll also want to ensure the door is properly sealed when closed. Quality weatherstripping around the jamb paired with a sturdy multipoint lock system compresses seals tightly for an air-tight fit.
e. The cost
✔ And now for the least fun aspect: the cost. An external door with all its bells and whistles for security, temperature, and more quality materials to achieve these will be more expensive than an internal one. Compare general price points and costs over the lifetime for basic and premium models. Do a little shopping to see what will last at the best price. What offers the best return on investment?
✔ And part of thinking about the cost is thinking about the installation. You will want a skilled professional to handle the new challenges of replacing your old door.
