Replacing old exterior doors in San Diego with new ones can greatly enhance not only the curb appeal of a home but also its security. However, exterior door replacement in San Diego is a major undertaking that requires a lot of decision making on the part of the homeowner. In order to get the most value for your money, it’s important to consider when, why, and how old doors should be replaced and what materials, brands, and styles are the best options for new exterior doors in San Diego.
Reasons For Replacing Exterior Doors San Diego
Most homeowners decide to replace their exterior doors in San Diego for one of two reasons. Either their old door has become damaged, or they want a new style of door with more attractive features. Damage is usually easy to detect. Wooden doors may crack or warp with age, which makes them difficult to open and close, and their paint will peel. Laminate doors also show surface damage from exposure to years of rain, wind, heat, and cold. Even metal doors, which tend to be longer-lasting, can rust and corrode over time. Any type of damage makes a door less attractive and less secure, so it’s worthwhile to replace it.
In addition, new doors can really improve the look of a home. Some homeowners exchange solid wood slabs for more ornately carved doors with glass panels that let in more light. They may also replace wooden doors with composite doors that are more water resistant. New doors may also have energy-saving features, like an insulation core or low-E window glass, that will save money on heating and cooling costs.
Replacing The Frame
In some cases, it may be possible to replace damaged exterior doors in San Diego by simply attaching a new door to the existing frame. However, most of the time it’s necessary, or at least very beneficial, to replace the frame as well. Because the frame has aged along with the door, chances are good that if the door is damaged due to weather conditions, the frame is, too.
Furthermore, the wall studs to which the frame is attached are likely to have warped somewhat with age, making the old frame no longer perfectly square. Fortunately, most new doors are pre-hung, meaning that they come attached to a frame, which usually includes weather-stripping as well. Purchasing new doors with new frames is the best way to get the most from your new exterior doors in San Diego.
Best Materials For Exterior Doors San Diego
In the past, the vast majority of exterior doors in San Diego were made of wood. While many homeowners still prefer the look of wooden doors, there are many other options available that offer different advantages.
Wood
Traditionally, wood has been the most popular material for exterior doors. Wooden doors look sturdy and elegant, and they are easy to customize with adornments like glass panels. However, of all door materials, wood is the most sensitive to weather. Wood absorbs moisture, which can freeze and expand in cold weather, and this eventually causes warping and cracking. Nowadays, most homeowners are opting for other more durable materials.
Fiberglass
Fiberglass is an excellent alternative to wood because it can be stained to closely resemble wood. Fiberglass doors are much more resistant than wood to moisture and impact damage, and they are also made with an insulating core that helps to block heat transfer.
Vinyl
Vinyl is a popular material for exterior doors because, like fiberglass, it is highly durable and virtually maintenance free. Vinyl doors are available in a wide variety of shapes and styles. Vinyl is an especially popular material for patio doors and sliding glass doors.
Steel
If your top priority is security, a steel exterior door may be the best choice for you. There is no type of door material that is stronger or more durable than steel. It does not absorb moisture or warp due to weather conditions, and any impact damage can be easily smoothed out with an auto-body repair kit. These doors are pre-hung in insulated frames made of wood or steel with a foam core, and they are finished with a long-lasting powder coat or baked-on enamel.
Aluminum
Because of aluminum’s tensile strength, very thin frames are able to hold large glass panels. Thus, aluminum is a favorite material for exterior doors that are mostly glass, including sliding glass patio doors and main entry doors. This type of door is especially popular in commercial buildings, but it can also enhance the appearance of a modern home.
Exterior Doors San Diego Styles
Choosing exterior doors San Diego for your home can be a challenge. O, course you want them to be visually appealing as well as architecturally satisfying to your home. However, you also want them to be safe. US Window & Door offers a wide variety of exterior doors that were designed with the many differing styles of San Diego homes in mind. Check out the available models that are perfect for front doors, back doors, patio doors, and balcony doors.
Masonite Doors
Masonite provides beautiful and durable doors designed to complement any home. They use the latest in technological innovations to create environmentally-friendly, durable doors in a variety of styles, so any homeowner can find a door that’s going to fit their personal tastes and be perfect for their home. They also provide a warranty that’s competitive for the industry, so anyone can choose a new door for their home with confidence. US Window & Door provides professional installation of Masonite doors throughout San Diego County.
Design and Testing Process
Exterior doors by Masonite must go through a rigorous design and testing process before they’re available for sale. The design and testing process can take years to complete, as Masonite strives to create doors that are as functional and durable as they are beautiful. Doors must be durable to withstand any weather or other potential issues they will face once they’re installed.
The doors created by Masonite are designed to help reduce noise pollution from outside the home and created to be as environmentally friendly as possible. The rigorous testing process combined with quality control in the manufacturing process of the doors will help limit the chances of gaps or other issues that could occur. Minimizing gaps enables Masonite to ensure no energy is wasted in the home and to make sure minimal noise pollution enters the home through the door.
Doors are made from sustainable or recycled products when feasible. Masonite ensures every step of the manufacturing process, as well as the steps from creation to installation, are concerned with the impact on the environment. Homeowners can feel more confident in their choice when they choose a door that’s designed with the environment in mind.
Larger Number of Collections to Choose From
Options for a new exterior door include modern, transitional, classic or craftsman doors. From there, a range of collections are available to look through that could look fantastic in any home. Current collections include panels, classic, expo, essentia, textures, linea and more. Within each collection, there are several doors to choose between as well.
Each collection is created to showcase the beauty of that style and to provide a range of choices to fit just about any budget and home. Narrowing down the available choices with collections make it easier to look through what’s available based on the style of the home or the preferences of the homeowner. The extensive range of potential doors means there’s something perfect for just about every home.
Homeowner Has Design Control
Masonite also offers doors that can be painted or stained, or that come with a factory finish already completed to streamline the installation process. When a more traditional stain color is preferred, a factory finish is likely the best option. For a darker or lighter stain, or for the ability to paint the door to match the home better, Masonite has created doors that are designed so this is easier to do. Masonite strives to ensure anyone can find exactly what they’re looking for and make sure it looks like the door is a part of the home, not just something that was added later.
Milgard Windows & Doors
Milgard Doors come in a variety of styles and finishes and are quite popular with San Diego homeowners. With 50 years of experience manufacturing high-quality windows and doors, Milgard has earned a reputation for products that are beautiful, durable, and energy efficient. Below are some of the different models and series that are available for exterior doors San Diego installation:
Tuscany Series
The Tuscany Series replacement vinyl door collection is manufactured to high-quality specifications, so the frames won’t absorb moisture, won’t stick, they won’t need to be re-painted and the state-of-the-art rolling assembly means effortless operation year-round. And, unlike wood, these door frames won’t warp, crack or peel for the life of your home. These doors also offer extra security with the SmartTouch® handle that allows the user to unlock, open, and close the door in a single motion. The hidden lock mechanism gives the handle a sleek design, and the technology exceeds California’s rigorous codes regarding protection against forced entry. A door from this series is an ideal choice for a patio door.
Montecito Series
The Montecito Series vinyl door collection by Milgard which has a thicker frame profile for a more contemporary look. The series includes a standard sliding patio door, but US Window & Door also offers the more elegant French-style sliding patio door – it combines the appearance of a French door with the design and benefit of a sliding door.
Ultra Series
The Ultra Series selection includes doors constructed with standard SunCoat Low-E insulated glass to keep the indoor temperature at a steady level while allowing maximum light in, but keeping harmful rays out. These doors come with security standards that meet or exceed California’s forced-entry requirements. For instance, the French doors have five-point locking hardware while the French-style sliding doors have a dual-point locking system. Plus, the internal mechanisms and rolling system are designed to prevent corrosion for years.
Aluminum Series
Aluminum doors are valued for their strength, rigidity, and durability. Frames made of this material are typically used in commercial buildings because aluminum’s characteristics make it quite suitable for large openings. With a contemporary look, they complement the traditional architecture in any home or office.
Cost Of New Exterior Doors San Diego
Cost is an important consideration when choosing new doors, and homeowners want to get the best possible return on their investment. In general, solid wood doors are the most expensive option, followed by aluminum, fiberglass, and vinyl. Steel is typically the least expensive option.
However, the cost of exterior doors San Diego can depend on many factors, including the size and shape of the doors, the specific features of the doors, and the complexity of the installation. At US Window & Door, every job is custom, and we invite you to contact us for a free estimate. Just fill out the form on the website and one of our door installation specialists will contact you to make an appointment.
With so many options, choosing the right exterior doors can be a bit of a challenge. Don’t worry, US Window & Door is here to help. If you’re looking to replace your existing exterior doors or install exterior doors for your new San Diego home, US Window & Door is your first choice!
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