Replacing Your Front Door? 5 EASY STEPS to a beautiful entry way!

Back by popular demand – reposting this blog so that you can be ready for spring time!

So you want to replace your FRONT DOOR, but you don?t know where to start.

Below are 5 EASY STEPS that will help you get an accurate quote for your replacement door! ?

STEP 1. Determine your budget

The first step to any project is determining a budget. Ask yourself – what are you comfortable spending? It’s easy for home improvement projects to go over budget, sometimes dollars rack up because of delays or because not all costs were confirmed prior to beginning. Like all home improvement projects, replacing your front door is an investment and your budget should reflect thoughtful planning. Consider the following:

• Upfront costs vs. long-term benefits
• Estimated useful life
• Maintenance requirements
• Energy efficiency
• Weather protection and performance
• Features included
• Pre-finishing costs or additional staining or painting required
• Hardware and accessories
• Remodeling additional entry features like stairs, lighting or doorbell

Take the time to research what you like and what’s available before finalizing a budget. Below, you will find information that will help you get an accurate quote from your supplier!

STEP 2. Determine door size?

When measuring the door size, the term door size refers to the width of your front entry door. The most common entry door is a 36-inch entry door. A wide 42-inch entry door or 5-foot double entry doors (two 30 x 80 exterior doors paired up to provide a larger opening) are also popular. Larger openings offer easier wheelchair access and furniture moving and can also make a statement in your entry way. Most doors come in a standard height of 80 inches (6 feet, 8 inches).

STEP 3. Choose your configuration

When builder supply companies ask, “What configuration do you want?” they are asking if you want a single front door or double front door, and whether you want decorative sidelights or an overhead transom.

Sidelights are the panels that flank and accentuate a front door. Sidelights can be glass, wood or fiberglass, and can be opaque for privacy or not. Entry doors with sidelights can transform an ordinary entry into an entry way that looks unique. A transom is made from decorative glass inserts that are installed above the door to fill your entryway with natural light.

STEP 4. Choose material and style

Front entry doors can be constructed of many different materials, from the wood to newer UPVC and fiber glass models. Choosing the right material, especially on exterior facing doors / front entryway, is critical for the longevity and appearance of the door.

Entry Door Material

• Solid Core Wooden Doors – Solid core wooden doors are heavily constructed doors made from whole bits of timber. These doors are most commonly used as front entrance doors or where soundproofing, insulation or security are a priority. Wood species such as Pine, Fir, Knotty Alder, Poplar, Mahogany, Cherry, Knotty Pine, Maple, Oak (White and Red), Bamboo, Birch, Wire-Brushed Clear Pine, Wire-Brushed Douglas Fir, Hickory, Red Oak, Wire-Brushed Red Oak, Select Alder, Walnut, Wire-Brushed White Oak and more allow for a broad range of choices.

• Aluminum Doors – Aluminum is a lightweight, strong, durable and affordable material. Aluminum is used to construct security doors and garage doors. Note: aluminum is a poor insulator and conducts heat easily.

• Steel Doors – Steel is the toughest material on the market and offers excellent security. Steel is commonly used in the construction of front and exterior doors, screen doors and grilles.

• Fiberglass Doors – Fiberglass doors offer excellent strength, waterproofing, soundproofing and insulation.

• Glass Doors – Glass doors are beautiful to look at and offer natural light to enhance a home’s interior. Commonly used as an entry to an outdoor living space, a patio or enclosed sun room, glass doors are making their way into kitchens, recreational rooms, offices and more to give off a larger and more spacious interior area.

• Leadlight Doors / Stained Glass Doors – Lead lighting and stained glass can be expensive, but they can add a tremendous amount to a home in terms of character visual appeal.

• UPC or Vinyl Doors –UPVC can be used to construct solid, lightweight doors, but it’s more commonly used as a strong, cost effective framing material for things like glass doors.

• Mirrored Doors –Appearing almost exclusively as sliding wardrobe doors, mirrored doors help create the illusion of more space in bedrooms.

• Hollow Core Doors – Cheaper and more lightweight than solid core doors, hollow core doors are often used for interior doors including closets and pantry doors to keep costs down.

Flush or Paneled

A ?flush? front entry door’s surface is flat from top to bottom. A “paneled” door is one that has molded patterns that can take the shape of squares, rectangles or arches. These molded patterns are usually removed when glass is inserted into the door. The enhancements can give the paneled door and your entire entryway a more elegant, refined and sophisticated look.

Surface Type

Front entry doors typically come in two surface types: smooth and textured. This is true for wooden doors as well as the more durable fiberglass models. The guideline for both is simple: if you want to paint the entry door, choose one with a smooth surface. Painting lets you accent or highlight the door with bright bold colors or the softer, more subdued tones that are currently in vogue. If you want a more natural look that brings out the grain or lines, choose a textured entry door that you can stain.

Entry Door Style

Door manufacturers have identified five main front door styles, all of which are available at Tree Court Builders Supply.

Choose a style for your front door that complements the design of your home and adds curb appeal. Your front entry door can represent you or your family’s personality. If you are more traditional, you may opt for a classic wood paneled door. Or if you are more artistic, you may include decorative glass elements. Because every house and homeowner is different, picking a front door that suits you and your home is important.

Traditional / Classic Warm, welcoming and familiar, classic style entry doors are a huge favorite of homeowners in older, more well-established neighborhoods, and anyone who wants to refresh (but not drastically change) their entryway’s aesthetic.

Craftsman Usually one piece and characterized by square edges, sharp lines and a fine vertical grain, Craftsman Style Front Doors often feature an elegant ornamental shelf called a dentil that’s missing from most other door styles.

Contemporary / Modern With their smooth, flush surface and simple unpretentious design, Contemporary Entry Doors are stylish, trendy and expressive. Contemporary Entry Doors don’t have panels and are typically painted in an eye-catching color or hue.

Decorative What makes an entry door decorative? is the addition of ornamental metal grilles, beautiful glass panels or both which combine to give your door an alluring, sophisticated look and an extra measure of security.

Rustic With their distinctive, handcrafted-by-artisans look, rustic style front doors give your entryway an air of old-world charm that best complements Tuscan, Southwestern or European-country architecture.

STEP 5. Choose front door glass inserts, door color and hardware

When choosing a detailed decorative glass door style, there are many options that you can choose from. Aside from iron inserts and the frame that holds it, you will have to determine what type of glass you would like to use. After choosing glass inserts, you will want to choose a door color. Natural wood grains, paint on a smoother surface and texture are all considerations when choosing your door color. Lastly, selecting the type of hardware for your front entry door can be one of the best experiences because there are so many options to choose from.

Check back soon for other blog posts that detail types of door glass inserts, how to choose a door color and selecting hardware for your new front door!

Call us at 636-225-7717 with questions or a FREE quote today!