When Gina and Geoffrey Gill bought their ranch home in Sandy Springs in 2003, they did not plan to stay long. “Our goal was to get enough of the ugly out of it and move on,” said Gina, a former designer and contractor in Tennessee. But, like many homeowners in the past few years, the Gills decided to stay put and give their five-bedroom house an exterior face-lift. The project included a new roof, cedar shake siding and gutters. Other updates included new windows, doors, landscaping and driveway.
Before the Gills chose their front and garage doors, they drove through various neighborhoods to look at door styles. They chose an 8-lite mahogany door with beveled glass and had it installed by Marietta-based Robert Bowden Inc. The 8-lite means eight individual glass spaces.
“Our front door may not be for everyone,” said Gina, a mother of five. “But it pulls the eye up our driveway and works with the style of our house.”
Your home’s front door serves as an introduction to you and your home. And though you inherited the front door with the purchase of your house, it doesn’t mean you must keep it. But many of us do.
Homeowners tend to replace the front door when there is a problem (doesn’t close right) or as part of an exterior makeover, said Paul Wilfong, the owner of Atlanta Specialty Millworks.
No matter when or why you replace your door, Wilfong said, be sure it fits with your home’s architectural style.
Replacing a boring or dated front door with a more stylish and energy-efficient one can pay off. In its 2011-2012 report, Remodeling magazine ranked entry-door replacement with fiberglass or steel among the top-five home improvement projects for your money.
If you have not shopped for front doors, you are in for a surprise. Today’s doors are better insulated. They also come in a range of styles, materials, features and prices. To help in your search, consider these tips from various sources, including JELD-WEN Windows & Doors and Consumer Reports.
What to consider in terms of materials
Exterior doors are made from fiberglass, wood and steel. Here are some features of each.
Fiberglass. Fiberglass can have the look and feel of real wood, but with less upkeep. Moderately priced (less expensive than wood but more than steel), fiberglass doors are a practical choice for most people in any climate. Unlike steel, fiberglass does not dent, rust or corrode. Fiberglass does not warp, shrink or swell as wood does.
Steel. An economical option, steel doors account for about half the market, according to Consumer Reports. Steel doors, which can be painted, are typically low maintenance, but dents are hard to fix and scratches may rust if they are not painted promptly.
Wood. Wood provides the high-end look that other materials like to mimic, with a range of characteristics such as grain and color that contribute to its appearance. Real wood also offers more custom capabilities.
The drawback of wood doors is that they tend to be more expensive than steel or fiberglass doors. They also need maintenance, especially in areas where the door is exposed to moisture and direct sunlight. Expect to touch up scratches and the door’s finish (paint or stain) every few years.
Features
Security. While steel is stronger than wood or fiberglass, the difference is not significant. No matter which material you choose, make sure the door fits tightly into the frame with no more than 1/8-inch clearance between the door and the frame, according to JELD-WEN. Also outfit the door with high-quality locks, including a dead bolt and reinforced strike-plate areas.
Styles. Choose a door that complements the architectural style of your home — whether it is Colonial or Craftsman-style, Tuscan or traditional . Designs can combine door panels, transoms and sidelights (windows on the side).
Glass. Glass adds natural light to your entryway and elegance to your home. It also adds to the cost. Glass comes in a variety of sizes and configurations. There is clear, textured, decorative — and many more. Customize the look with matching transoms and sidelights.
Energy-wise. For energy savings, make sure the door has weather stripping and fits snugly within the frame. Fiberglass or steel-insulated door panels are better than hollow panels or wood. Look for doors that meet Energy Star guidelines.
Installation. Entry doors are also known as systems because of the components that are designed to work together. Unless a replacement door is part of a larger remodeling project, Consumer Reports says, you may want the new door to be the same size as the old one. Choosing a larger door and/or adding sidelights means redoing the door framing.
Trends
“The most significant trend is the growing popularity of fiberglass doors as manufacturers expand the number of styles and options available,” said David Walker, vice president of the Virginia-based Window & Door Alliance. Other trends include:
- Contemporary-style doors. For example, Craftsman-style doors are gaining over more traditional Colonial designs.
- More glass. Larger glass areas or more glass panels.
- More wood, less glass. For example, a rustic-looking wood door with a speak-easy window.
- Less is more. Eye-catching doors with clean, simple lines.
Tips
Before you buy. If you are shopping for a new front door, visit a home store or showroom. Like the Gills, drive around and look at doors. Also go online to research doors. Most major door manufacturers have online galleries that show various designs and options on houses with various architectural styles.
DIY. Unless you have better-than-average carpentry skills, hire a pro to install same-size doors.
A professional is a must if you are enlarging the door or adding sidelights.
Remodeling. If you are remodeling, you may need to consider replacing your door jambs, hardware and hinges at the same time, Consumer Reports says. A new system may be better for your home structurally.
It also would give you a completely new look.
