How To: Choose the Perfect Entry Door

Finding the perfect entry door can be a difficult task. There are just so many options to choose from: styles, materials, colors, security, energy efficiency, etc. Where do you even start?

Here are 3 factors that you should keep in mind when you’re searching for your new front door:

Design

Design is typically the first thing that most homeowners think about when replacing an entry door, and for good reasons — the entry door can make a strong statement about your home and can easily boost curb appeal.

When you’re thinking about the style of your new door, it’s smart to match your home architecturally. There are so many styles of doors to choose from, from classic or traditional to contemporary; at Aspen Home Improvements we offer over 80 different styles in our line of Lasting Elegance doors.

After you’ve chosen a style, it’s time to think about color.  Stand out with a brightly colored door or keep it classic with black or wooden doors. Check out this guide on choosing the perfect front door color.

Security

As much as you want your door to look great, security is a big issue that you shouldn’t forget about. Your entry door helps keep your family safe in your home. Here are some things you should think about: How is the door reinforced? Is the lock that you’re using strong enough?

Safety is one of our top concerns at Aspen, that’s why all of our doors are equipped with a 19 lock bolt along with a 14 gauge steel reinforcement channel.

Energy Efficiency

One of the concerns that have come to the top of mind in recent years is the energy efficiency of entry doors. Old, drafty, un-insulated doors can cause heating and cooling costs to rise. You want to look for doors with efficient weather stripping and an insulated core to keep the heat out in the summer and in during the winter months.

We know hold cold it can get around Pennsylvania and Maryland in the winter, which is why our fiberglass and steel doors are Energy Star approved!

If you’re looking for glass doors, keep an eye on the U-Factor - glass with a U-Factor of .30 or lower is what you should be looking for (same goes for windows).

Do you need help figure out which doors are best for your home? We’d love to help. Talk to a home improvement specialist to find the best entry door for your home. 

Step Into Spring with A New Entry Door

When most homeowners shop for doors, style and color seem to be the primary focus. However, one of the most important decisions you will have to make is what material you want for your new entry door.

Today, the three most popular materials for doors include wood, steel, and fiberglass. Like anything, each material has its own strengths and weaknesses.

So how do you choose?

Here are a list of advantages and disadvantages of each option.

Wood

Advantages

Wood doors are praised primarily for their beauty. A door made from oak, cherry, walnut, or mahogany give your home a very high-end look. The look of the grain also hides any scratches from wear and tear your door might accumulate over the years – and scratches are easily repairable.

Disadvantages

The materials and work that go into creating a custom door for your home make wood doors very expensive. Some even run ten times more than the cost of a steel door. Whenever you expose wood to the elements, you run the risk of damage. Wood absorbs moisture very quickly and, therefore, requires regular maintenance.

Steel

Advantages

If security is your top priority, then steel doors are the best option for you! Steel doors are the most common entry door because they are very secure. They are also cost-efficient! Not only will they help you save money on energy bills, Realtor actually identified that steel doors returned the most money upon resale.

Disadvantages

Steel doors can be easily dented and scratched. Scratches can very easily lead to rust, so it's important to check for early damage.

Fiberglass

Advantages

This material is very new to home improvement. Most people are starting to look closer at fiberglass options because they are very low maintenance while also being strong. You can even purchase fiberglass that gives the look of a wood door without paying for it.

Disadvantages

If you decide to purchase a cheap fiberglass material, you risk cracking, rot, and other damage. Stay away from the cheap brands and go with top-quality products!

Once you have determined the new material you would like for your new door, contact us! We will give you a FREE estimate for how much a new door replacement will cost.