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Entrance doors must be tough enough to survive wind, fog, scorching sunlight, and intruders, yet attractive enough to give a good initial impression. Unfortunately, fulfilling these demands is a high order for many front doors. Many of the traditional ones are made from wood or wood veneer, all of which warp, break and deform after years of exposure to the environment Metal doors don’t last long, either—the paint of some older steel doors can be peeled.
Modern wooden Front doors are more resistant to the weather than older models and metallic, and fibreglass doors appear wooden but have better protection and cost less.
Best components for the front door
Maybe the most crucial choice is the material of the front door. Most of them mix many materials; for example, both fibreglass and steel doors have wooden frames. But it’s the base material that most influence appearance, longevity, protection and price.
Wooden Door
The wooden doors are the most general. Usefulness and elegance are their strong suits. You can also find painted doors in various softwood types, such as oak and modern hemlock.
When looking for prefabricated wood doors, check for long-lasting stains and translucent finishes, such as fibreglass. High-gloss sheens have the most significant security for painted doors. No matter what kind of finishes you choose, add them to the upper and bottom edges. This helps keep a wooden door from collecting humidity and expanding.
Look for careful detailing, too. As a rule, the more complex the engravings and the crown moulding, and the smoother and wider the stairs and rails, the better the door. The same goes for the width of the panel.
Steel doors
Steel doors are your best bet if protection and reliability are top priorities. These are safer than wood or fibreglass doors and will not break or warp.
All steel doors have an internal component made from wood or, for enhanced power, steel. The cavities inside the frame are covered with high-density insulating foam. Premium doors usually have a 24-gauge surface and a steel frame, but some offer a thicker steel frame. Typically the surface is smooth or has a wood-grain design embossed.
Many steel doors are painted with a baked-on polyester finish that needs occasional painting. Premium models have a vinyl covering similar to those on vinyl-clad windows for better weather protection. Some of them have a stain-resistant wood-fibre covering or a laminate-wood veneer in very high-end models.
Fibreglass-Composite door
These doors are robust and upkeep and a good option for harsh or moist climates. They simulate the appearance of wood with the feel of a grain of wood and can be dyed to complement oak, cherry, walnut and several other kinds of wood. Below their sculpted surface is a structure of wooden stiles and rails, plus the wooden lock edges.
Aluminium door
These doors use an insulation core surrounded by a metal skin. However, unlike other door mechanisms, aluminium models are offered solely to retailers. Each of them is custom-built for your opening.
Companies make all manner of options. E.g., the doors in the Armaclad line from Hess Manufacturing come in thousands of types and colours and a variety of options.
How to Buy Front Entrance Door
If you buy the door on your own or the whole door-and-frame scheme, keep these purchasing tips in mind:
- For full entry systems, make sure that all parts come from the same vendor. Check that the weather-stripping seals are fully sealed and that the threshold is interlocking with the bottom side of the entrance door.
- Check for Low-E glazing on your window units. Many manufacturers offer to glaze engineered to survive break-ins for added protection. Decorative windows with genuine lead or brass cost more than fake ones.
- Modern steel and fibreglass entrance doors have dedicated thermal break vinyl strips or part of a wooden frame—that divides the inside and outside of the door surfaces. This stops outside harsh weather from circulating through the surface and frame and ice from developing on the inside surface.
Pick up the right front door would pay off better service, less cleaning, and more energy savings. You’re still going to have an elegant introduction that makes a perfect first impact on you for years to follow.