Consider a New Entry Door For Your Home

Front Entry Doors

A front door is often the focal point of a house. It is the first thing people see and it is what ushers them into your home. The front door is also a focal point in the interior of your home and it is often the last thing people see and will remember as they depart. You want to make a statement and a good impression with your entry and to do so you need to select the right entry door. Selecting a door that is low maintenance, energy efficient and secure in addition to being attractive is the goal when deciding to purchase and install a new entry door.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS

Things to Consider:
When choosing a replacement door for your entry a few features and characteristics to consider are material, style, color and finish. Add to that, when practical are door systems to include side-lites, overhead lites, etc. Hardware options which can enhance the look of an entry door are important for security reasons.

There are generally three basic frame materials to consider for an entry door:
- Wood doors are a traditional material and are appealing due to their warmth and beauty. It can be stained or painted. However, wood doors have some important maintenance issues. They need to be repainted or refinished throughout their life. Additionally, they can crack, warp and expand/contract which will compromise the way they fit into the frame.
- Steel doors are very common and popular material for replacement doors. They usually have long lasting baked-on paints or finishes that come in a wide range of colors and patterns. They are available in a variety of sizes and depths, and they have magnetic weather stripping that makes them especially energy efficient. Steel doors are also incredibly durable and secure.
- Fiberglass doors are generally not as strong and secure as steel doors, but they offer a wider range of patterns and moldings which allows a broader availability of styles to fit your home. They can be made to look like beautiful wood - and their maintenance will be considerably less than that required for wood.

Other options are important and can add substantially to the cost of an entry door system - as mentioned above these options include hardware, type/style of glass, and fine finishes.

Conclusion
Regardless of the material selected, it is important to have a professional contractor install your entry door and particularly an entry door system with several components. The contractor can assist the homeowner in the selection of a design that will fit in with the homeowners preferences and one that will integrate well into the look of the home. Importantly, the installation will be correct, i.e., it will be properly hung, security will be assured and it will be an energy efficient installation.

Consider a New Entry Door For Your Home

About the Author: Dan Merrifield is co-owner of and Director for Sales at Lakeside Exteriors located in O'Fallon, MO. ( http://www.lakesideexteriors.com ) The "Why Choose the Best" webpage clearly delineates the Lakeside Exteriors advantage for exterior residential renovations and Provia Entry Doors and Provia Entry Door Systems. Call for a free brochure "How to make a Successful Construction Investment". Lakeside Exteriors installs James Hardie siding and is one of 6 contractors nationwide who has been given James Hardie's VIP Preferred Remodeler award and they are a member of their Corporate Advisory Panel.

MASONITE EXTERIOR DOORS