Front entry doors play an important role in your home’s security, energy efficiency and aesthetic. A quality door keeps intruders out and helps regulate indoor temperatures, while a stylish new door can boost resale value.
Entry doors can be made from wood, fiberglass or steel. Fiberglass models are durable, affordable and can mimic the look of wood.
Security
Your front door is more than just a barrier against the elements; it must also protect your family from intruders, look beautiful and blend with the home’s aesthetic. Many entry doors offer decorative glass features for a more welcoming appearance while others are designed to keep cold air out during the winter and hot sun out during summer, reducing energy bills.
Front entry doors need to be durable to resist rusting and warping over time, while keeping out pests such as squirrels, mice and other rodents. They should be strong enough to withstand the impact of a baseball bat or sledgehammer and have a multi-point locking system for added security.
New entry doors are available in a wide variety of styles to suit homeowners’ preferences, and they come in different materials that are suited to the local climate. For example, fiberglass doors from ProVia have the benefits of wood and steel but are less likely to rot or dent over time. They are also the best choice for lowering energy costs, as they insulate homes effectively.
Durability
Front doors must be strong enough to withstand forced entry attempts and resist warping, rotting, and other damage over time. The material you choose also impacts durability. Steel is a good choice if security is your top priority. It resists dents better than wood, and it has the added benefit of being able to withstand more pressure from wind and rain.
Aesthetics matter too, especially if you want your front door to align with your home’s architectural design and your personal style. Many dealers and installers offer a variety of colors, finishes, and styles, from deep blues to dove grays. They may also offer custom options like wrought iron hinge straps and clavos for Old-World charm or decorative glass panels for a contemporary flair.
Energy efficiency is another important consideration. A new front door can minimize the transfer of heat between your interior and the outside, helping to reduce energy costs. ProVia’s Signet fiberglass entry door, for example, features insulated cores, polyurethane foam fill, anodized bronze thresholds, and Q-Lon weather strips to reduce energy bills.
Aesthetics
Besides security and energy efficiency, your front door plays a significant role in your home’s resale value, so it needs to be tough against the elements and easy on the eyes. A reputable door dealer will help you design an exterior and interior door that complements your home’s aesthetic and your personal style.
Whether you opt for wood, fiberglass or steel, your front door will be durable enough to keep the cold out in winter and the hot sun out in summer. You can further enhance its look with hinge straps or clavos for an Old-World touch, decorative metal grilles and textured glass panels to let in more natural light.
You can even add sidelight windows and transom windows above the entryway to create a more detailed, ornate appearance. A wrought iron peephole can also provide added security and privacy.
Energy Efficiency
As a barrier between your home and the elements, your entry door is more than just a pretty face. It needs to withstand the harsh Michigan weather, keep cold air out in winter and hot sun out in summer, while minimizing energy costs.
To do this, your exterior door should be made from quality materials. Wood doors offer a classic look, but they’re also vulnerable to rotting and warping over time. Fiberglass offers a more durable option that is less likely to degrade and comes in a variety of styles, including grain patterns to mimic traditional wood finishes.
Additionally, many entry doors are designed to improve a home’s energy efficiency. For instance, the Signet fiberglass entry system features a polyurethane foam fill and an anodized bronze threshold to help minimize heat transfer. ENERGY STAR ratings are another great way to help reduce energy costs, as well as qualify homeowners for rebates.