34% of burglars break into a home through the front door. Weak doors or front doors without able security systems often become primary targets. Resolve this problem by replacing your Milgard front door with the best option available through these front door replacement tips.
Not sure what to look for in a new front door? It’s not as simple as getting a slab of wood that looks like the old one.
Before making a decision, consider the following front door replacement tips. These points will help you get the right front door to satisfy your needs and reduce long-term costs.
Know Your Materials
The first of the front door replacement tips is material. The material of choice is going to determine the other factors about a Milgard front door. Everything, from the chosen design to how secure the door is, will stem from the choice of materials.
While there are a lot of different materials for doors, front doors, in particular, are often manufactured from vinyl, and fiberglass.
Other standard options include aluminum doors and the occasional reinforced plastic doors. These aren’t as highly recommended as steel, and fiberglass. We do not recommend these because they aren’t as durable or cost-efficient as those types of doors are.
Wood, Steel, and Fiberglass Doors
Another one of our front door replacement tips is to know the differences in material. Wood interiors are one of the most common types, and you often see in historic neighborhoods. It is also popular with homes aiming for a traditional and cozy look.
Its aesthetic is not the only good characteristic, however, as it is also highly recommended due to its efficiency.
Wooden doors with a solid core are difficult to break, they require little maintenance, and help insulate the house.
Steel doors with polyurethane foam core do everything wood doors can but last much longer. They don’t suffer the wear and tear wood doors do. Front door replacement tips also list these often because they are more affordable than other materials. The only downsides are that they can suffer from dents and scratches. They’re also not as pretty as a good wooden door.
Fiberglass doors sit between steel and wood doors. These doors often look and feel like wood, but they’re not as efficient in insulating a home. They do not dent and scratch as much as steel, and they don’t cost much regarding annual maintenance. This makes fiberglass an excellent alternative to wood.
Energy Efficiency
Another front door replacement tips is an energy efficient front door. Most homes waste a majority of their energy bills on improper insulation. One of the most valuable front door replacement tips is to install doors with an Energy Star approval. These are doors that help reduce heat loss.
Energy Star certified doors can cut down heat loss from 10% to 25%. Their design ensures the door fits tightly into its frame while still giving way to proper air ventilation. Without an Energy Star certified door, a family will spend more on utility bills and suffer from the leaked heat. This makes cold nights even colder.
Remember that doors with glass windows will change how efficient they are in conserving energy.
Using these doors not only reduces costs, but it helps the environment too. Using less energy reduces gas emissions and energy consumption from power plants. Even a single door replacement can lead to significant environmental improvements.
Doors are also more efficient in reducing energy costs than windows. This is because they have a smaller glass-to-frame ratio. Keep in mind that wood cladding, fiberglass, and steel doors with polyurethane foam cores are the most energy efficient.
Consider the Door Frame
The next one of our front door replacement tips is the consideration of your door frame. Very often people won’t find the door frame listed in front door replacement tips. Few people ever pause to consider what a good frame can do for a home and its value. Despite this, the Milgard door frame should be an essential aspect to look into before purchasing a new front door.
Most homes feature a regular door and frame set, also referred to as slab doors. This is when the door and its frame are separate from each other. Homeowners can replace the old door with a new one that fits right into the old frame.
Doors built right into the frame, also known as pre-hung doors, are becoming a new trend. These doors come as a full set with the slab built onto a full frame and hinge. Front door replacement tips often recommend these doors for people installing a door on their own, without the help of a carpenter.
Unless you’re aiming to demolish the wall and install a door of a different size, a slab door is still an ideal choice. It does demand more skill and patience, but it yields better results in the long run.
Also, consider how sturdy the door frame is. Some door frames, particularly for pre-hung doors, are fragile. They can break with a little bit of force, and we do not recommend it since it leads to house break-ins.
Slab doors are a little better because carpenters can add extra security measures in the hinges.
Take Time with Security Features
Security is one of the most important front door replacement tips. A home’s security often depends on the strength and durability of the front door. As mentioned, more than 30% enter a home through the main point of entry, which should be the most secure door in the house.
This means there’s a large percentage of burglars who break down doors or manage to undo the lock. Front door replacement tips include getting a heavy, sturdy door.
A weak door, like a hollow wood door, won’t offer much resistance against the brute force of a burglar. Hollow doors are the worst options because they don’t have the strength to hold heavy locks. A strong kick or push can easily break them down.
It is also essential to check if the replacement door is not a fire hazard. New door types feature a coating that helps prevent the spread of house fires. Always make sure that the replacement door comes with something similar.
Take into Consideration Security Accessories
The durability and material of the front door isn’t the only aspect to look into when considering security.
Homeowners also need to look into what the door’s design allows regarding adding further security measures such as deadbolt locks. Knowing which security accessories you can add will increase the value of the front door.
Again, this is an oft-forgotten aspect when getting new doors.
Some front doors work well with alarms, and others don’t. Other doors are too sturdy for homeowners to add new locks. Other contractors don’t consider this when they offer replacement doors to their consumers.
Another reason to consider the security of your front door is that it will affect your insurance rates. Front doors with poor security will raise insurance fees since they have a higher risk of damage or burglary.
Style and Color
One of the most aesthetic front door replacement tips is the style and color of a front door. The style and color will affect house value in case owners want to sell the property. The front door is the first thing potential buyers will see, after all.
An ugly front door will decrease the value of any real estate, even if the rest of the property is excellent. A white front door is the most effective color, but this still depends on where a person lives.
Houses in country villages should rely on varnished wood instead of paint. Bright or muted colors are trending front door colors while city residents can count on bold colors to sell their home.
Front door replacement tips usually list matching the new front door with the aesthetics of the house. A traditional wood door suits a brick and mortar house while a fiberglass front door is better for a more modern, sleek apartment.
Victorian-era front door designs are prevalent in the south. Modern, sleek door designs are trending now along the east coast and northern cities. Like door colors, the style and design must suit the overall aesthetic of the house.
Maintenance Costs
Not many front door replacement tips include checking maintenance costs, but these expenses should be a priority. This means testing the durability and expected life-expectancy of the new replacement doors. Most wood doors, for example, last an average of 30 years.
Buyers should also consider what kind of damages these replacement doors get. The type of general damages will help calculate the average cost of keeping them in good shape.
Take the costs of a steel door as a great example. These doors are affordable when compared to a wood or fiberglass one. But, they dent easily, and over time the buyer may shell out more cash to keep it well-maintained.
Maintenance costs will also factor in when the owner is selling the property. Front doors that require constant repairs will lower the value of a house. On the other hand, sturdier doors that last longer with less maintenance will increase the value.
Use These Front Door Replacement Tips and Improve Your Home Today
Whether you’re replacing a broken door or hoping to upgrade what you have, we have the right doors for you. With these front door replacement tips, you can find the exact type of door that suits your needs.
We offer high-end front doors and replacement windows from Milgard. If you’re looking to replace or upgrade your Milgard front door, then we’ve got you covered.
Still got questions? Feel free to contact us, and we’ll get you started on finding the right replacement front door for you.
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