Tips When Purchasing Replacement Front Doors

There are virtually limitless options for replacement front doors, from materials to glass and hardware. Here are some things to consider when shopping for a new door.

Every house is unique, including yours. Don’t settle for any old front door. We can help you find what’s right for your home by offering more styles, sizes, and materials to choose from.

How to Select the Best Front Door for Your Home

Consider that your front door is one of the first things visitors, friends, and family will notice about your home. A front door can even set the tone for your entire home’s exterior. Finding a new or replacement entry door is not a simple task, but it does not have to be an overwhelming one. Learn more about the front door replacement process so you can feel confident and at ease while door shopping.

Simple Steps for Effective Front Door Shopping

As you begin your search for a new or replacement front door, there are a few simple steps you can take to ensure you’re on the right track.

Look for ideas all around you. Look online for photos, ideas, and tips to help you figure out what you like and don’t like. Our front door inspiration gallery is a great place to start.
Investigate your options. For a closer look at the various door types and styles, visit a home improvement store, one of our showrooms, or a home show.

Make a budget. Prioritizing the materials, features, and options that are most important to you can help you narrow down your search for the best door for your budget.
Consult an expert. It never hurts to speak with a home improvement store representative, independent contractor, or manufacturer’s installer.

Front Door Styles

What distinguishes one entry door from another? To begin with, the material from which the door is made. The most common front door materials are wood, fiberglass, and steel. Although fiberglass and steel have many similarities, understanding the differences between the three materials can help you decide which entry door is best suited to your home.

Front Doors Made of Wood

There is bound to be a wood front door to match your home’s architectural style. Wood entry doors can be designed in a variety of aesthetics and styles to complement your home. The exquisite details, however, are what make wood entry doors so beautiful. Look no further if you want a front door that stands out from the crowd.

If you’re unfamiliar with the various types of wood entry doors available, mahogany is a good place to start. Natural wood provides a traditional look and pairs well with factory-prefinished stains and rich detailing, making it one of the most popular choices among homeowners. Rustic walnut is a more distinct option. Rustic walnut entry doors are naturally distressed and full of character, and they can be customized with unique decorative accents.

Front Doors Made of Fiberglass and Steel

Fiberglass and steel entry doors are popular due to their high quality and low care and maintenance requirements. Fiberglass front doors, in particular, have a long track record of durability.

They are extremely durable and will not warp, rot, or rust. There is also the performance aspect of fiberglass entry doors to consider. The material reduces heat transfer and increases energy efficiency, allowing for better climate control in your home.

Steel entry doors are also strong in terms of durability. The front door is subject to heavy traffic as the entryway into your home, and this wear and tear can take its toll. However, steel is one of the most durable materials available for entry doors.

There’s also an undeniable visual appeal. Steel’s sleek and clean appearance is difficult to beat when it comes to increasing the curb appeal of your home.

Front Door Options & Features

The foundation of your entry door is the material. The features and options are how you build on that foundation and customize your new or replacement entry door to fit your personality.

Begin with the color. Entry doors come in a variety of finishes and colors to match both the interior and exterior of your home.

Prefinished paint in your preferred color can last for years. Wood-grained prefinished stains have an authentic wood appearance and can be used to complement your home’s trim, floors, and cabinetry.

Options for Glass Open the Front Door

Decorative glass options can help give your entry door the extra style, privacy, or natural light you desire. There are decorative glass patterns for every home style, from traditional to contemporary. Statement glass offers intricate craftsmanship with available beveled-glass prisms and lead-crystal jewels for a more elegant addition.

Speaking of glass, the type of glass you choose can help to make your doors more energy efficient. In general, two or three panes of glass provide more insulation than a single pane. In addition, look for doors that have Low-E (low-emissivity) insulating glass with argon between the panes to block more of the sun’s ultraviolet rays. Look for products that meet ENERGY STAR® requirements to ensure you’re getting an energy-efficient product.

Front Door Features for a Sophisticated Look

Sidelights and transoms increase natural light and can boost curb appeal. Because of the variety of shapes and styles, they are especially appealing to homeowners who want to make a more dramatic entrance. Transoms are installed above the door to provide natural light into the interior entryway, and sidelights are installed on either side of the exterior door.

Door hardware can be both stylish and functional. Select a sophisticated design for your handle set that reflects your personality and adds the finishing touch to your new entry door.

There are also interior and exterior trim options available, with something to suit every architectural style. The more styles you have to choose from, the more likely your new or replacement entry door will match the design and décor of your home.

When you’re ready to start looking for an entry door, we’re here to assist!