DOORS

DOORS

Choosing the Best Front Door For Your Home

An entry door is the gateway to your home. it is the first part of your home that anyone entering the home will see. For this reason, it is essential that your entry door emphasize the character of your home. In other words, the front door is the focal point of your house, so it should be welcoming; however, it is also important that your entry door provide security for your family. When shopping for an entry door there will be a wide variety of styles to choose from so will be helpful to be armed with the information necessary to choose the best front door for your home.
Replacing an Existing Door
When replacing the existing entry door, it is important to measure the existing door’s thickness, width and height. If you are replacing a complete entry system and will be replacing the jamb as well as the door, you will need to measure the thickness of the current jamb. Measure from the inside of the interior molding to the inside of the exterior molding (which should be equal to the wall thickness). Take note as to which side of the door the knob is on. A “right-hand” door has the knob on the right side and a “left-hand” door has the knob on the left side.

Materials Used

Doors can be made from a wide range of materials, including wood, fiberglass and steel.
  • Fiberglass material has both the look and feel of genuine wood, but with significantly less upkeep. Fiberglass doors are built to withstand extreme climates and temperature fluctuations.
  • Wood comes in a variety of species, many of which can be used for doors, such as mahogany, pine and fir. Each wood species has a variety of characteristics, like color, grain and sap content; all of which is what gives it a unique appearance.
  • Steel doors are an economical option, but they are strong and durable. Steel doors also work well in almost any climate and they are treated to be rust resistant. Steel doors require very little maintenance.
If you are buying a wood door, it is important that you look for high-quality woods, exceptional detailing and a durable finish. A good rule of thumb to keep in mind is that the thicker and wider or the more intricate the moldings and carvings are, the better the door is.

Fiberglass and high-quality steel doors are ideal for the cold Iowa climate. These doors have a thermal break, which is an insulated separation that is designed to keep the heat and cold from conducting through the doors outer layer and the frame. A wood frame is typically used as an insulation separator for a fiberglass door.
Entry System
If you are planning on buying an entry system, it is essential that you make sure all of the components are made by the same manufacturer. There are many different distributors and many different systems, parts by different manufacturers may not be designed to go together. It is also important to make sure all of the weather stripping seals tightly and that the threshold interlocks snuggly with the bottom edge of the door.
When you need a new entry door, contact BW Construction to learn more information about the many types and styles of doors we have available.
Share by: