The right entry door can completely change how it feels to come home and even significantly increase the value of your home. After all, your front door is one of the first things people see when they come to your home. How they feel about the front door will set the tone of their entire visit, at least when it comes to potential home buyers.
Since your entry door is so important to how your home looks and feels, make sure you go through this checklist before finalizing any purchase decisions:
Safety
The quality of your front door is incredibly important to the safety of you, your guests and your family. Make sure your entry door isn’t hollow and comes with high quality locks. A deadbolt is often the best option to protect you and your family.
Materials
There are three primary materials used to make front doors: wood, steel and fiberglass. Each comes with its own advantages. Steel doors are incredibly durable. Wooden doors are elegant and make your home feel more inviting. Fiberglass doors can be designed with the aesthetic of wood but won’t warp or rot. Make sure you know what material your new entry door is made out of before you actually make the purchase.
Energy Efficiency
Your door should have the most airtight seal possible and come with an Energy Star Certification. Energy efficient doors will save you alot of money over time!
Features
Many entry door replacement companies offer doors with numerous features. The two most common are glass panes and adjustable thresholds:
- Glass Panes: glass inserts make your entry door more attractive and allow you to see who’s knocking without having to open your door. You can get glass inserts with dozens of different patterns painted on them or choose ordinary glass for a simple window in your door. Whatever you decide, be aware that glass inserts will usually cost extra.
- Adjustable Threshold: this helps keep your door airtight over time, protecting you and your home from the elements. If you choose to go without an adjustable threshold, you may need to add a new sweep to your door to keep out rain and drafts.
Appearance
When you’re choosing the appearance of your door, make sure to choose one that matches the atmosphere of your home. Your entry door should feel warm and inviting, and it should look good on both the inside and the outside. While you might love old wooden doors, if you have a modern home you might want to choose a more modern look.
When it comes to replacing your entry door, it’s important that you make the right choice. It might not be the most expensive home renovation you ever do, but it’s still an investment. You don’t want to be replacing it again in just a couple of years.
Print this checklist out and keep it with you when you’re talking to your entry door replacement company of choice, and you can be sure you’ve made the right investment.