Last Updated on November 4, 2021 by Kravelv
Your entry door is the most important door in your home, providing you not just with a safe entryway but a means as well of making a good first impression on your guests. It is, after all, one of the first things that people see when they come to your home. Given the kind of responsibility your entry door has, it’s important that you find the right one for you, the one that will suit your needs and preferences the most.
Unfortunately, there are a lot of options available to you, the sheer number of which can be overwhelming. Fortunately, you have this guide to help you out. Consider the following to help simplify the entry door selection process for you:
Size
Size is the first factor you should consider when picking your entry door as this will quickly narrow down your options. How big your entry door is will depend on your home’s overall design but most use standard sizes, making it easier to find options to go over. Aside from the size of the door itself, this consideration also touches on how much available space you have around your entryway, which will guide the kind of door you can get.
Design
Entry doors are available in different designs. Some of them may feature windows at one side or flanking both, some may have glass panels integrated instead. Design also refers to the number of moving panels in an entry door; typically though, most options boil down to single or double doors.
Another design aspect to consider is whether you’ll get a flush or paneled door. A flush door features a uniform, flat surface, while a paneled door has rectangular or square patterns molded on it, giving it a more three-dimensional look.
Interested in textures? These are mostly imparted by the material an entry door is made of so the material you choose will dictate the kinds of textures that you may be able to enjoy. If you’re looking to change finishes from time to time though, you’ll be better off with smoother textures as these allow paints and stains to adhere better.
Material
An entry door’s durability, energy efficiency, lifespan, and even appearance will greatly depend on what it’s made of. From wood and PVC to composite and metal and even fiberglass, each material possesses its own set of advantages and disadvantages. Cost is always a major deciding factor for most homeowners but choose a material based more on the overall value you’ll get out of it.
Energy Efficiency
Many homeowners don’t realize the insulating power entry doors have, making them lose out on the benefits of improved energy efficiency, foremost of which is helping rake in savings through lower electricity costs. A number of things can contribute to making a home more energy-efficient; in the case of entry doors, it’s by preventing air leakages with tight seals around entryways, improving insulation with the door material and keeping heat let in to a minimum through low-E glass. To quickly spot energy-efficient doors, look for the Energy Star seal.
Extra Features
Add-ons can be purely cosmetic, functional, or both. Extras will make an entry door cost more but they can also boost the overall value you’ll get out of your purchase. If you’re not sure what a certain feature can do for you, don’t hesitate to ask your local contractor for assistance.
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Author Bio:
George is a graduate of Purdue University having played basketball for 4 years and as an assistant coach in basketball for 8 years with a degree in business. George and his wife Pam have owned Bee Window in Indianapolis, Indiana for 30 years selling windows, siding and sunrooms. He has built one of the larger organizations in the Midwest with sales of $12.500,000. He was one of the first companies 6 years ago to aggressively attack online lead generation and today over 35% of his business comes from his online marketing. He also started a company called BringMeMyLeads to help contractors with their online marketing. In August of 2012, this company was purchased by Surefire Social and today he is a minority shareholder of this firm. Surefire Social is one of the leading online marketing firms serving the contractor market.
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