by Gates Dearen
Add distinctive style and increase the
value of your home.
“Almost
no other part of your home gets as much exposure as the front door. It’s where
you greet friends and family, serve (or scare) trick-or-treaters, and enjoy the
songs of holiday carolers. A front door says a lot about who lives inside.” Bob
Villa
Entry
doors are the most significant element for the curb appeal of most homes. A new
front door can instantly enhance the appearance of a home. It can also
significantly increase resale value. In fact, it’s one of the few home projects
that can add more value to the home than the cost of the project.
Entry
doors can be made from a variety of materials including fiberglass, steel, and
wood. The prices vary widely and there are pros and cons for each type.
Consumers can improve their knowledge of doors by doing some research online
and visiting a showroom to see what the options are. This article outlines some
of the key considerations when shopping for a new door/entryway.
Fiberglass doors
Fiberglass
doors are both affordable and durable, making them a very practical choice for
many homeowners. They are available with a smooth surface or with a wood-grain
texture which looks very much like real wood. Fiberglass doors generally have a
foam core for energy efficiency. They provide excellent resistance to wear and
tear. They can be painted or stained and require little maintenance.
Steel doors
Steel
doors can be relatively inexpensive and offer the same security and weather
resistance as fiberglass and wood doors. Steel doors require little maintenance.
However, if they get dented, they can be difficult to repair.
Wood doors
Wood
doors are generally more expensive than steel or fiberglass doors. They have a
nice appearance that some homeowners desire. Periodic painting is required to
keep wood doors looking their best.
Energy efficiency
More
heat is lost through air leaks around doors than through the doors themselves. New
exterior doors normally fit and insulate better than older types. If you have
older doors in your home, replacing them could be an excellent investment which
will result in lower heating and cooling costs.
Steel
and fiberglass doors typically have more insulating value than wood doors. Models
that are Energy Star qualified are independently tested and certified as
particularly energy efficient, often with tighter-fitting frames and
energy-efficient cores. Doors with glass frequently have double-pane insulating
glass to reduce heat transfer.
Handsets and hinges
For
something that gets used as often as a front door, it doesn’t make sense to
skimp on quality. In regard to the handsets and hinges on a door, it pays to
get the better quality hardware.
Locks and Security
Many
crooks simply kick in doors to get in. According to Consumer Reports, the
biggest reason doors fail is because the doorjamb split near the strike plate. A
quality door lock can deter burglaries and home invasions. Beefed-up locks and
strike plates can greatly increase a door's resistance to being kicked in.
Using a lock with a 1-inch-long deadbolt and a reinforced metal box strike can
add to the strength of the unit. Also, long mounting screws which lodge in the
framing beyond the door jamb can make a big difference.
Door Glass
Glass
can make a huge difference in the appearance of an entry door and in the
perceived value of a home. Etched and
carved glass designs can be especially beautiful in an entry door.
Low-E
glass is an available option with many door manufacturers. Low-E glass reduces
air conditioning costs by reducing heat transfer in the summer. In the winter,
it reduces heat loss to the outside and allows solar energy to pass inside.
Caming
is the metal banding that joins panels of glass. It’s a small detail that can
have a big impact on the overall look of an entry door. The caming appearance can
be selected to coordinate with door hardware, outdoor fixtures, or interior
furnishings.
Safety
glass is also available and it can be up to four times as strong as other glass.
If broken, it shatters into many small fragments, which prevent injuries.
Finishing
Doors
can be finished in a variety colors to match up with a home’s interior and
exterior.
Builders Hardware, Inc. (BHI)
HomeRite of
Jacksonville’s main supplier for doors is Builders Hardware, Inc., a
family-owned and operated company in Tampa. Since 1954, BHI has been supplying
Florida’s building industry with quality hardware and door products. BHI offers
a very extensive variety of door styles for the home. BHI manufactures high quality
door components that are specifically suited to the codes and demands of
Florida homes. The company is dedicated to supplying quality products that
stand up to local codes and hurricane force winds.
HomeRite
of Jacksonville offers BHI’s Plastpro line of fiberglass doors. Superior structural
integrity makes Plastpro stand above other manufacturers of fiberglass doors.
For durability and performance, check out the Plastpro line.
---
In this article, I’ve
discussed the importance of the front door for a home’s curb appeal. I’ve also
outlined the key considerations for selecting a front door.
For information about
HomeRite’s energy efficient line of windows and doors, call 296-2515 or visit
their showroom at 4801 Executive Park Court, Building 200, Suite 207,
Jacksonville; FL 32216.
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HomeRite is a window
and door dealer that specializes in energy efficient, quality windows and doors
with warranties and service to match. The company has been in business since
2005. HomeRite has partnered with a manufacturer that has been producing high
quality products and providing excellent customer service for over 60 years. Windows
and doors from HomeRite are some of the highest quality, most thermally
efficient windows and doors on the market.
HomeRite products add
substantial value to their clients’ properties. HomeRite is a member of the
United States Green Building Council, a non-profit organization comprised of
leaders across the industry working to advance environmentally responsible
buildings.
Gates Dearen is
the co-owner of HomeRite Windows and Doors in Jacksonville, Florida.
He and Richard Walden have been serving the
building products industry in Florida for over 30 years.
They strive to match homeowners with the right windows and doors
for their homes and budgets. They make the home improvement process
pleasant with first-rate, energy-efficient products, affordable pricing,
and award-wining installers who employ the best practices and
who always treat customers and their property with the utmost respect.
You only get one chance to make a first impression. The front door is the biggest part of the first impression people have of your house. Curb appeal really makes a difference.
ReplyDeleteCurb appeal is eye appeal. Sprucing up your homes enterence can make or break how people perceive your home.
ReplyDeleteCurb appeal is eye appeal. Sprucing up your homes enterence can make or break how people perceive your home.
ReplyDeleteI've been watching a show on HGTV Flip or Flop and they are always talking about don't go cheap on the front door it's the first impression that sets the stage on how people view your home when selling! Great article!
ReplyDeleteEye appeal is buy appeal. New windows and doors can dramatically change they look of any home.
ReplyDeleteThanks for sharing information.
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