The front door is one of the most important elements of your home. It not only sets the tone for your style and decor, but also helps protect against bad weather.
A new front door can boost your curb appeal, provide security, and save you money on energy bills. It can also increase the value of your property.
Curb Appeal
Your entry door is the first thing guests and potential homebuyers see. It can make a lasting impression, boosting curb appeal and overall resale value. However, a worn or damaged front door can make a bad impression and turn away people before they even step foot inside your house.
Fortunately, upgradating your front door is an easy way to improve your home’s curb appeal. A new door can complement your landscape and architectural style and come in a wide array of colors. It can also be energy-efficient and reduce utility bills.
Whether you’re looking for an iron front door, sidelites, transoms, or applied moldings, there is a style that can suit your needs and enhance your home’s aesthetic. A quality front door is not only durable, but it also provides superior protection from break-ins and severe weather. It is an affordable investment with a high return on your property’s value.
Security
The stakes don’t get much higher than the security of your home. Your front door must complete your curb appeal, offer insulation and durability and keep intruders out. There are several simple steps you can take to enhance your front door’s security, from visible barriers outside to robust defenses inside your home.
Install a quality door chain, choose multipoint locks that secure in multiple places and replace standard hinges with heavy-duty ones made of solid metal with screws that reach the studs. You can also limit visibility into your home by using frosted window film.
For added security, consider a steel or fiberglass front door. They are more durable than traditional wood doors and resist dents and scratches from everyday wear-and-tear. Pairing these doors with Plastpro’s composite PF door frame provides an unbreakable, impenetrable entryway that allows homeowners to feel confident and safe whether they are at home or away. This is especially true for homeowners in coastal areas and hurricane zones who can invest in impact-rated front doors that are engineered to withstand high winds, rain, and debris from flying objects.
Energy Efficiency
One of the major roles that front doors play is to provide protection from intruders and severe weather. A well-made iron front door is not only beautiful but also secure. They are hard to break through, and they come with a variety of decorative options. They are designed to match a home’s architectural style.
The best entry door will have a deadbolt lock that is three inches long and secured in multiple places. It will also have heavy hinges and a strike plate with screws that are three inches long. It’s also a good idea to install a security doorbell that rings inside the house.
In terms of energy efficiency, choose a metal or fiberglass door with a high R-value. It will help you maintain comfortable indoor temperatures all year round. It can reduce your energy bills and carbon footprint. Choosing a door with double-pane glass is another option to save on your energy costs.
Aesthetics
Aside from their function, front doors are a focal point of the home’s exterior and should be pleasing to the eye. A solid wood door with leaded glass and elegant hardware can make an admirable statement that boosts curb appeal. Other front door materials, such as fiberglass and steel, can also be visually appealing but may not offer the same level of security and durability that a solid wood door offers.
Some homeowners choose to add sidelights and transoms to their front entry doors. These can be hinged or fixed lites and are designed to enhance the natural light in the front of the entranceway while providing a clear view to the outdoors. However, they should be used with caution because they can create a double point of interest and can be vulnerable to intruders, depending on the location. In such cases, a more effective alternative might be to install an oversize window on the side of the house instead.