Front doors are among the most important design elements for any home. Not only do they enhance curb appeal and provide a welcoming first impression for guests, but they can also make your home more energy efficient.
The right exterior door material can offer the best balance between aesthetics and durability. Serving Westmoreland Heights, Elmwood, Oak Lawn and West Dallas, we’re here to help you find the perfect entry door for your home.
Steel
Steel front doors are known for being durable and low-maintenance. They’re great for homes in wet climates as they do not experience the expansion and contraction common with wood, making them water resistant. They also insulate well, reducing energy bills.
They can be made to look more beautiful by using a stain or paint. Some manufacturers offer an embossed texture that mimics a panel wood door’s appearance. A strong 20-gauge steel core makes these exterior doors sturdy. They’re also reinforced with thermal breaks to reduce heat transfer, and their unique tab and slot mechanical interlocking system provides structural integrity.
One of the best places to start when shopping for a new front door is online. Visiting manufacturer websites gives homeowners the chance to learn more about products and get pricing information. They can also see the doors in full scale before they visit a showroom. For example, a homeowner might choose a steel front door with sidelights and a transom from JELD-WEN that’s prefinished and stained to match their home’s trim.
Wood
Wood entry doors add timeless beauty to any home. They are durable and versatile, and they can be stained or painted to suit any style. However, they require a bit more maintenance than steel or fiberglass doors. They can warp and delaminate if they are exposed to constant direct sunlight, but you can prevent this by choosing a door that faces east or west rather than north or south.
Cedar is a popular wood for front doors because it holds up well against moisture. It has a tight, fine texture that is beautifully accentuated by staining. Mahogany is another popular option for exterior doors because it’s extremely durable and looks beautiful with a wide variety of stain colors. Walnut is another wood with an attractive appearance. It has a dense texture and dark color that resists fading from exposure to sunlight, but it can also rot.
Knotty alder doors are a great choice for those seeking a rustic look for their front doors. They have a light brown color with areas of darker burl clusters and knots that will create a unique character when stained.
Wrought Iron
Iron doors add a sense of class to a home. They are durable and easy to maintain. They are available in many different styles and finishes. Some are spray foam insulated, which makes them energy efficient. These doors come in both single and double door units and can be installed on either left or right-hand swings.
Wrought iron is a type of malleable iron, which means it can be easily hammered or rolled into shapes that can be used to make various kinds of structures. This kind of iron was used throughout history to create fences, gates, railings, lamp bases, and grilles. It also became a major component of buildings, such as roof cresting and plate girders.
Wrought iron is different from mild steel in that it contains a lower carbon content, and it can be forge welded. It’s possible to tell the difference between these metals by doing a spark test or breaking a piece of each. Mild steel will throw white sparks, while wrought iron will produce red sparks with a fibrous appearance.
Storm Doors
Storm doors are a popular choice for many home owners as they help spruce up the entryway of your house and serve a practical purpose by protecting your front door. They also encourage energy conservation by insulating and lowering heating and cooling costs.
You can choose from a variety of styles, colors, and materials for your storm or screen door, including aluminum and vinyl-clad wood. You can even opt for a full glass door that allows natural light to filter into your home while also providing added security.
When installing your new storm or screen door, be sure that it is properly positioned to prevent daytime sunlight from shining directly on the interior of your entry door. Check the fit of your storm door by sliding it into place with the hinge side up. Good installs will show no daylight between the storm door and the Z-bar (the weatherstripped frame that holds the hinges on one side and seals with nylon pile weatherstripping on the other). The door should close tightly when pushed closed.