You may think of your front door as just the entrance to your home, but it’s so much more than that. Not only is it a barrier against thieves and pests, but it’s also useful in insulating your house.
Over time, your door may need a replacement, but the problem is, you aren’t quite sure when. In this article, you’ll find out what to look for in order to determine if it’s time to replace your front door.
You Feel a Draft Coming Through
If your house has been excessively chilly recently, check by your door first. If you can feel air coming through, that means it’s failing at sealing your home off from the weather.
By replacing your door, you’ll save money in the long run. Since there’s a draft always running through your home, your HVAC system has to work harder to maintain optimal temperature levels. Once you get your door replaced, you’ll see your utility bills drop significantly.
There’s Moisture on the Glass
Your front door may have a panel that’s double paned. While it’s a nice addition to the aesthetics of your front door, it can have problems with the seal.
If you see moisture in between the panes, that’s an indication that the seal on your glass panes has worn off. Once there’s moisture in there, it’s only a matter of time before mold and mildew grow in there. Those growths can then spread to the wood and destroy its integrity.
If you’ve noticed any moisture within your glass panes, you’ll need to take action quickly. If it’s early on enough, you can just replace the glass and the wood part of your door will be safe.
It Looks Worse for Wear
If you have a lot of foot traffic in your home, your door may have seen better days, especially if lots of children and teenagers are coming in and out frequently. Even overenthusiastic pets can cause some dings to it.
Over time, these small scratches and dents can add up, and what you’re left with is a door where its structural integrity is compromised. This means if someone tries to break in, it’ll be easier for them to break down the door.
Make sure you keep your family safe by installing a new door once the old one looks worse for wear.
It’s Hard to Open and Close
It shouldn’t take all of your strength to open and close your front door properly. This should be a major sign that you need to have a new door installed.
When your front door gets old, the weather stripping on it may break apart. When this happens, your door won’t be aligned with the frame, which can cause it to be difficult to open and close.
Also, your door can expand and contract as the weather changes. While this is normal, it can affect the alignment of your door. As a result, there may be small gaps that let air in, and this can cause your utility bills to increase.
It’s Warped
As we’ve stated above, your front door can expand and contract to accommodate changing weather. As the years go by, the constant flux of your door can cause it to warp, along with it being kicked or slammed.
Not only can this cause your door to not look its best, but it can develop cracks. There are two problems that arise from this: your utility bills will go up, and your security will go down.
There’s Rust Present
Rust doesn’t just give your front door an ugly look. It can also make you easier targets for thieves. This is because hinges and locks that have rusted take less effort to break through, so you’d be a better mark than the neighbors with a brand new door.
If you notice rust on any parts of your door, it’s not only the metal parts that are compromised but also the wood as well. If there’s moisture on the hinges, you can bet there’s water on the wood too.
There’s Water or Pest Damage
If you’ve had a flood and your door’s wood feels soft and is breaking apart, you obviously need to get it replaced.
The same goes for if you’ve had a pest problem, especially wood eating ones. If half of the wood in your door’s been chewed through, you need a door replacement.
By keeping your original door, you’re upping your chances of more pests and water damage. You’re also making your house more inefficient at keeping comfortable temperatures steady.
It Doesn’t Match the Rest of Your House
You may have lived in your house for decades now, and perhaps you’ve been slowly remodeling and upgrading parts of your house. As a result, your front door may look out of place when compared with everything else.
Even if it’s still in good condition, you might want to consider replacing it anyway, especially if you want to sell your house in the future. Having a new door that’s in style can raise your home’s curb appeal and also be the finishing touch for a well put-together design.
Replace Your Front Door in a Timely Fashion
Your front door is the main entrance to your home, so you want to make sure it’s always sturdy and secure. Now that you know some of the signs to look out for, replace your front door when the time comes. Use a reliable installation company so your door can keep you safe for years to come.
If you believe your front door needs replacing, get in touch with us now to get a free estimate.
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