Front Door Replacement

Is your front door squeaky, warped, or drafty you may want to consider a front door replacement. There are many different types of doors to choose from; wood (plain or paneled), steel, or fiberglass, and they all come in a wide variety of sizes and styles. It is tough to make a choice because of the wide variety available on the market. Most home owners want some kind of a window in their front door or a sidelight. If you want the most energy efficient door I recommend a fiberglass door with at least one sidelight panel.

A fiberglass front entry door is an excellent choice that can give you the design that you have always wanted  where  a wood door may be attractive it is subject to cracking, warping, weather deterioration, and are higher in cost than equivalent style fiberglass doors and they are not energy efficient. As wood doors deteriorate they become less energy efficient.  An energy efficient fiberglass door will greatly decrease drafts in your house and help to lower utility bills.

In terms of energy efficiency the fiberglass door has an average R factor between 10 and 12 depending on the manufacture as opposed to a six panel wood door that has an average R factor of approximately 2. This is made possible because of the polyurethane foam core insulator in the fiberglass door. Most fiberglass doors come in a variety of different styles and windows to choose from, however, placing a window in the door compromises its energy efficiency. A better choice is a sidelight. Sidelights are highly energy efficient windows that attach to the doorframe before the door is installed. They can be installed on either side or on both sides. Sidelights have a wide variety of window pane designs from multiple panes to a single pane, frosted or clear, or in stained glass.

Fiberglass doors can have a variety wood of grain designs and can be painted or stained in any color as frequently as desired without going through the process of paint stripping as required for a wood door. They are much more durable than wood or metal doors and are more energy efficient. If you are considering replacing a front door a fiberglass door would be an excellent choice.

Replacing the front door is quite easy. Simply measure the door size (the actual door itself) or if the door assembly is removed measure the rough opening. Take these measurements to a home supply center and they will advise you on the door that will fit your requirements. As doors come as pre-hung units they just have to sit in the opening and nailed in placed through the outside trim, usually a brick trim. The nails should be #16 galvanized finish nails. Make sure that the assembly is square and level in the opening before nailing. After the assembly is nailed in place, open the door and install the screws (usually provided) in the threshold.

Enjoy you new energy efficient fiberglass door.