Turns out whether you are remodeling or building a new home, there are a lot of things to consider when choosing the right exterior door. Things I had never thought of until I connected with Adam Wendt of Trimlite! You may have seen their work on HGTV Farmhouse Facelift. I asked him to help us out this month. Here are a few tips to help your design process be a bit more organized before purchasing the right exterior door for you!
Choosing An Exterior Door – 4 Tips to Consider During Selection
Your home’s entryway door helps define its style and contributes to its curb appeal and also must provide plenty of privacy, functionality, and noise reduction. Because of this, it can be difficult to choose an exterior door for your home – whether you’re remodeling, or you’re building a brand-new home.
Not sure what type of exterior door to use for your home? These 4 tips will organize your thoughts to help you select your next exterior door.
Choosing The Right Material
There are lots of different materials used to build exterior doors, but most doors are built from one of the following three materials.
- Wood – Solid wood isn’t cheap, but provides a unique and traditional appearance and has an excellent lifespan. It’s easy to repair and refinish, so wood doors can last a lifetime with proper care. It’s easy to cover up and hide small scratches and dings. There are also more varieties and styles available compared to steel or fiberglass doors. In addition, wood has good insulation values, which can help you save on your power bill.
- Fiberglass – Composite or “fiberglass” doors use two door “shells” made of composite materials, filled with a foam-based insulation. They are really durable and require less maintenance than wood. They are also very energy-efficient, more lightweight for easy installation, and tend to be a more cost effective than wood doors, so they may be a good choice for your home.
- Steel – Steel doors use a wood or steel frame and a steel “skin” that’s filled with insulation, and may have a vinyl coating or polyester finish to provide weather resistance, or even a wood-like veneer. They’re affordable and low-maintenance, but can be dented and rust easily, and tend to provide okay energy efficiency.
The Style of Neighboring Homes and Your Home
If you live in an area with an HOA (Homeowners Association), there may be restrictions on the type, color, style, and appearance of your exterior door. Check with your HOA before choosing your exterior door.
Even if you don’t have an HOA, it may be good to consider the style of neighboring homes. Choosing a door that blends in is a good way to unify the aesthetic of your home – but a bold, bright door can be great, too!
Your Privacy Preferences
If your front door will have glass to let in light – particularly at eye level or below – you may want to choose privacy glass that’s treated or designed to ensure your home and its residents won’t be visible to people outside. There are a variety of decorative and textured glass options (all with energy efficient options) that can suit your tastes.
Choosing a door with a peephole may also be a good idea. Peepholes let you see who is on the other side of the door without opening it – so you can avoid salespeople, canvassers, and anyone else who you may not want to speak to.
Your Door Configuration
Generally, it is easier to just replace your door with a different exterior door. We often suggest changing out the whole door (jambs and door), as the installation is easier. However, if you want to make a statement, consider a different configuration. Add a sidelite or a transom to your design to get the look that you desire.
Need Help Choosing An Exterior Door? Contact Trimlite Today!
Trimlite has a wide variety of exterior doors made of fiberglass, natural wood, and more – with diverse styles and colors available to meet any need. So browse our selection now to find the right exterior door, or feel free to contact us online to learn more about our products.
Hope you enjoyed ‘4 Tips You Need To Know Before Choosing An Exterior Door!’. Until next time, stay safe out there!
Kathleen Hayden, Award-Winning Professional Organizer, Re-Designer, Author & Public Speaker
De-cluttering & Organizing for Better Mental Health since 2010. Making your space work for you.
Check out my children’s books to help them be organized for life! Click the link for online or in store shopping locations > The Adventures Of Princess Katie-Putting Things Back
Email: Info@DreamSpaceSOS.com
Phone: 905-923-4376
Serving Niagara to downtown Toronto
