Your front door is one of the first things people see when they visit. It’s also a major investment that can keep your home safe and save energy.
A custom front door is a great way to showcase your style. You can choose from a variety of materials, textures and finishes.
Curb Appeal
The first impression people have of a home is crucial. It colors how they see the property and can be hard to change. This is especially true when selling a home. Buyers want to make sure that the home’s exterior is attractive and well cared for.
Adding a walkway to the front door can be a simple way to boost curb appeal. Brick or stone pavers are great options for this. It can also help if you have plants and other decoration along the walkway. Another simple way to add appeal is by making the walkway not a straight line. You can do this with lights or other accent decorations.
Choosing a front door system is an opportunity to showcase decorative taste, creativity and personal style. However, it should also be functional and energy efficient. It should also be durable enough to keep out the elements and unwanted guests. Lastly, the entry system should compliment your home’s architectural style.
Security
A basic door lock is a good first step, but you also want your front door to be strong. It doesn’t take much for burglars to break into your home, so you need a solid barrier between them and your valuables.
You can have the longest screws and the best deadbolt, but if your door is hollow it will be easy for a burglar to kick down. Most people use hollow doors in their interior rooms, but they don’t belong on the front of your house.
A good choice is a steel or fiberglass door, which will provide both strength and energy efficiency. You can also choose a door with sidelights or a transom to fill your home with light. Available in decorative designs, these doors offer style while adding security. They are also an option for homeowners who want to save money on their energy bills and increase their home’s resale value.
Energy Efficiency
Your entry door is the first line of defense against a cold draft and high energy bills. An old or poorly-sealed front door lets air, water, and heat leak into your home, making your air conditioner and furnace work harder to keep you comfortable and cool, which in turn increases your energy bill.
Check for an air leak by feeling around your door with the back of your hand, which is more sensitive to heat and cold. Also, feel for a draft by sliding a dollar bill along the edge of the door and sill. If you can feel the bill move, it’s time to replace your seal.
When choosing a new front door, look for an R-factor rating that’s appropriate for your Southern Louisiana climate and home design. R-factor ratings indicate how well an insulated door resists heat flow. The higher the R-factor, the more efficient the door. Fiberglass doors from Therma-Tru are ENERGY STAR qualified and offer up to five times more insulation than a wood door, which helps lower your energy costs.
Maintenance
Whether your entry door is wood, fiberglass or metal, it needs to be cared for properly. Wood doors need attention each season and major care like sanding every few years, while fiberglass and metal doors require only an annual cleaning. A visual inspection is a good way to determine when your exterior door needs more care than just an annual cleaning, such as when you can see that the finish has dulled, has a dry feeling or has minor surface checks. Failure to perform periodic maintenance may void any warranty on the door and glass.
La Puerta Originals craftsmen build their front doors with the frame, weather stripping and hardware included in a pre-hung unit that can be easily shimmed into an existing frame. This makes it much easier to maintain the appearance and quality of your exterior door.