4 Factors to Consider When Choosing a New Door

Learn About 4 Factors You Should Consider If You Are About To Change Or Add A Door To Your Home

A door can provide many things in a home – safety, a thermal barrier, privacy or perhaps a decorative focal point. The primary purpose of your door, your budget, the style of your home and your personal preferences will all play a role in choosing a new door.

Before you head out door shopping, here are a few factors to consider:

What is the Primary Purpose of the Door?

To help narrow down your style choices, it can help to realize what the primary purpose of your particular door is.

Are you looking for a secure front door? A patio door that provides an expansive, uninterrupted view of your backyard? Perhaps your primary focus is on the door’s insulative value.

Going into your shopping adventure with a clear understanding of what you need your door to do will help narrow down the rest of the options.

What is Your Door Budget?

Door prices can range from around $20 for a budget quality, hollow core interior door without framing to $1,300 for a custom decorative solid wood door. With such a large price range, it is vital to establish your budget up front so you can shop for a door that fit within that budget.

Less expensive doors may save you money initially, but doors on the very low end of the price spectrum tend to be less energy efficient. You may end up paying more in heating and air conditioning bills later.

An expensive custom door may make sense for a single statement front door but not be as practical if you need to purchase multiple matching doors.

What Type of Material Do You Prefer?

The most common exterior door material choices are steel, aluminum, fiberglass, and wood. Interior doors are most often made with some variety of wood product. Each of these materials has their own strengths and best applications.

Steel and aluminum are budget-friendly materials. These doors provide good insulation and are low maintenance if used in a location that is protected from the elements (think home-to-garage entryways). While the look tends to be more utilitarian, both steel and aluminum doors can be painted to match your color scheme. From a maintenance perspective, watch for rust on steel doors and dents on aluminum doors.

Fiberglass doors are popular for their elegant real wood look, high insulative values and low maintenance requirements. These doors have a faux wood grain and can even be painted or stained just like real wood. They function well in tough climates.

The most traditional door material is wood. Wood doors are relatively durable, although they do require a certain amount of maintenance to keep them protected from moisture and the effects of extreme temperature fluctuations. Solid wood doors are sturdy, more expensive and feel luxurious. Interior wood doors are also available with a hollow core that lowers both the cost and durability. Wood doors may be painted or stained.

What Style or Design of Door Is The Best Fit?

The style and design of a door determine how it fits with the rest of the room. You can choose a very minimalist flush door that blends into the wall or a statement barn door that becomes a focal point. Do you have a specific look in mind? Share your design vision with us and we will help you make it a reality.

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