How to Choose Your Front Door

The entry door to your home serves many functions: aesthetics, weather resistance, security, etc. Entry doors must be tough enough to withstand wind, rain, scorching sun, and would-be intruders, yet handsome enough to make a good first impression. Unfortunately, meeting those needs is a tall order for many front doors. Most older ones are made of wood or wood veneer, both of which warp, and crack after years of exposure to the elements. Metal doors don’t last forever neither because the surface on some older steel doors can peel.

Whether you need to replace your door due to being worn or damaged, or you’re simply looking to replace it for a different style, you’ll be able to get exactly what you want from Platinum Home Renovations. They have new wood doors, which resist the elements better than earlier versions, as well as metal and fiberglass ones that look like wood but provide greater security and often cost less.
Let’s take a look at the different materials and their individual merits:

Most doors are made of multiple materials. For instance, many fiberglass and steel doors have wooden frames. But the surface material is what affects appearance, security, price, and durability the most. Wood doors are the most common because they are aesthetically appealing and versatile. You can choose from a variety of woods – oak, cherry, walnut, mahogany, maple, etc. Some can be painted while others are made to have a natural finish. Whatever you choose, be sure to either apply your finish to the top and bottom edges of the door to help prevent the door from absorbing moisture and swelling. Have this done before you have it installed.

If security is of the utmost importance, a steel door is your best option. They are stronger than wood or fiberglass and they also have the benefit of never cracking or warping. You can also repair dents and dings using an auto body repair kit. Steel doors cost less than other materials. Most steel doors are coated with a baked-on polyester finish that requires periodic repainting. Premium versions get a vinyl coating similar to the one on vinyl-clad windows for greater weather resistance. Some even have a stainable wood-fiber coating or, on really high-end versions, a laminated-wood veneer.

For those in rougher climates, fiberglass composite doors are the perfect solution. They are tough and extremely low maintenance. They are designed to mimic the look of wood and can usually be stained to match any other wood style in your home. Beneath their molded surface is a framework of wooden stiles and rails, including wood edges for the lockset. Voids in the framework are filled with polyurethane-foam insulation. Fiberglass-composite doors carry long warranties.

When deciding what type of door is best for you, take into account the climate you live in, the security you need, and how you want the door to look like. Have a professional install the door to make sure everything is sealed and hung properly. Platinum Home Renovations services the Greater Toronto Area and offers complete solutions including professional installation to ensure you get the perfect door installed perfectly.