The exterior door on your home is one of the first things that people recognize when they drive by your home and look at it. In fact, if you are planning to sell your home, the look and style of your door will influence whether a buyer stops or keeps on driving.
There are many different types of exterior doors and many of them can add value to your home and provide you with energy efficiency. Since you will be utilizing your front door on a regular basis, it is important that it is in good condition and free from any damage. A damaged exterior door can become a safety issue as well.
Below, we will review some of the different exterior doors in an attempt to assist you in choosing the right one for your home.
Wood Exterior Doors
If you have ever seen a wooden front door, you likely gasped and said that you wanted one. Wood exterior doors are highly desired by many homeowners and are a popular option. There is no doubt that you cannot achieve the exact same look and beauty with another door that you can with wood. These types of doors are known for being solid, which means they offer a lot in the way of keeping your home secure.
The biggest downside to wood exterior doors is that they can be quite costly for the homeowner. In fact, they are the most expensive option out there. With that said, the costs for the door do not stop at the initial purchase either. Wood doors require upkeep and maintenance, which will cost more money over the years.
This style of door can be stained or painted in any color to offer you a lot of personalization options. Unfortunately, depending on where you live, the climate can cause the wood door to warp, rot, or expand.
Fiberglass Exterior Doors
Fiberglass exterior doors are becoming more and more popular amongst homeowners and for good reason too. They are very energy efficient and they are known to be very durable, which makes them an excellent choice for those who want to feel safe.
Unlike wood doors, fiberglass doors do not warp, expand, or rot. You will find that they come in a variety of different finishes and designs to choose from. You can choose options that include large windows, small windows, or even no windows.
This style door oftentimes comes with foam core insulation to help with energy efficiency in the home. You will find that this core helps to keep heat in throughout the winter and cool air inside during the summer. In addition, these doors are scratch and dent resistant.
Steel Exterior Doors
When safety and security are top on your list, a steel exterior door is a good option. These doors offer a supreme amount of security to the homeowner, and they are also strong, durable, and energy efficient too. You will find that steel doors provide the exact same benefits as a fiberglass door, but they are a step above in terms of protection.
You can expect a steel door to protect you in the event of a storm or even an intruder. These doors do come with foam core insulation just like the fiberglass option, so you can remain confident that your warm and cool air stays inside throughout the year.
When you initially think of steel, you probably think of the natural look of steel, which is silver in color. Steel exterior doors come in a wide variety of colors and finishes for you to choose from. You can even choose a wood finish if you want the protection of steel but the look of wood.
Storm Exterior Doors
Unfortunately, storm doors are an option for homeowners, but it is an often overlooked choice. When you think of a traditional door, you think of a new fixture in the door frame, but a storm door is placed in addition to your exterior door. These doors are a good addition to any home, and they help to provide homeowners with an extra layer of energy efficiency and security.
Storm doors are available in steel, composite, vinyl, and aluminum frames. The type of material that is best for your door will depend on your location. You will find that storm doors are available in many different styles with some offering screening.
Patio Exterior Doors
Having a patio is convenient and most homeowners enjoy entertaining on them or spending the evenings relaxing on them. Patio doors need to be reliable, durable, and safe as well; otherwise, intruders may be able to breach your home.
When thinking about patio exterior doors, there are two types to consider which include French doors and sliding doors.
French patio doors offer a lot of luxury and elegance to your home. They are ideal for any house, and you can choose to have the doors open either inward or outward depending on your preferences. You can also choose for them to open to the left or the right. Lastly, you can even choose if both doors are operational or if one opens and closes and the other remains in place.
The other option for your exterior patio door is a sliding door. These are the most popular option because they offer convenience. The design of a sliding patio door is similar to that of a very large window. Your home will receive a lot of natural light and air when open.
Sliding patio doors are offered in a number of different materials. The available materials include wood, vinyl, and aluminum. Your sliding door will move along a track that allows you to open and close it.
Tips for Choosing the Right Exterior Door for Your Home
One of the most common questions that homeowners ask is whether they are choosing the right door for their home. There are many different options available, so it can be difficult to sort through the options and know which one is ideal.
Here are some tips to assist you in choosing the right exterior door for your home.
1. Know the Purpose of Your Door
Knowing exactly what you want from your front door will help you choose the right one for your needs. There are some doors that are better for security than others and some that are better for aesthetics than others.
Take some time to think about what it is you want to achieve with your front door and this will help guide you in making the right decision.
2. Understand Your Home’s Architectural Design and Style
Each and every home has a design to it and you will find that the architectural design and style of your home may vary from other homes nearby. No matter what type of door you choose for your home, you want to make sure that it compliments your home’s design and style.
For example, contemporary homes often have large glass windows that look good with sleek front doors. On the flip side, traditional homes usually look best with a vintage or rustic exterior door on them.
Whatever you do, simply make sure the windows and doors match one another or your home will look quite mismatched and actually cause the home to become a turn-off to look at.
3. Consider the Color of the Door
Statement doors or doors that are a vibrant or bright color work on some homes, but some homes are better fitted with traditional colored doors. When you do start to think about the color of your front door, consider the color of your home’s exterior too. You do not want the colors to clash with one another or for the colors to look too busy.
Just as you want to consider the color of the front door itself, you also want to decide on the color of the frame too. You can create a unique and harmonious look easily by choosing the right door frame color.
Choose the Right Exterior Door for Your Home
You will never get a chance to make a first impression, so you want to make sure that the first impression is the best. Before you choose a front door, make sure you consider its shape, color, size, and benefits to ensure it will work correctly on your home and serve its purpose.
Exterior doors are more than just a door. In fact, they are the main gateway into your home and say a lot about who you are and what your style is. No matter what type of door you choose, you want to make sure that it offers you function, security, and energy efficiency.
If you are ready to purchase a new front door for your home, take some time to head out to the local home improvement store or your local door contractor’s showroom to see some options in person.