Ready to buy a new door? Our guide is a good starting point on your journey.
Doors are the key to defining the look, functionality, energy efficiency and security of your home. Whether you’re simply swapping out a broken door or completely renovating a space, it’s important to have all the information you need before you head out to buy a door, so you don’t run into any snags.
If you need a new front door or patio door, the purchase process will look a little different than that for an interior door. Here is an overview of details you need to know when it comes to purchasing interior and exterior doors.
How to buy an exterior door
Exterior doors provide more energy efficiency, more safety and more technology. Front doors are a particularly important architectural characteristic and can play a big role in boosting curb appeal. According to many experts, it can even improve the resale value of your home.
Here are 8 things to know before and during the door buying process:
- Pick the door location. Consider the specific location on the exterior of your house where the door will be installed. There’s a noted difference between the type of door you want as a front door, versus what you would use for the patio or a garage-to-home entrance.
- Determine the configuration. Determine the size and layout of the door opening; you’ll also need to know if it will be a single door, a single door with a sidelite or two or double doors.
- Find your door style. Choose a door design that reflects the architectural or personal style of your home. You’ll need to consider different types of door panels, amount of glass, glass options and other customizable elements.
- Understand different door materials. Decide what material – fiberglass, wood or steel – is right based on the style you’ve selected, benefits and tradeoffs of each material.
- Select door system components. An exterior door is more than just a door—it is a whole system of components that work together to provide superior performance and protection from the elements. When shopping for a door system, you’ll need to decide between a range of frames, sills, weatherstrips and corner pads to get the performance that is right for you.
- Know industry sizing. Most doors come in standard sizes, but that does not mean that every opening is a standard size. Nonstandard sizing will require a customized door which will need to be special-ordered.
- Consider door-specific questions. Buying a door is the first time you might hear the phrase right or left handing, and you need to know it, along with the swing being inswing versus outswing, before you go to make a purchase.
Consider security features. Strengthen your front door by considering which type of lock you want, including multipoint locks that offer more security than a deadbolt. If the door has glass, you can also upgrade to laminate glass that provides more fire safety and storm preparedness, along with advanced locking.
