Doors - Opening Your Options
(part one of a series)

by: Liz Roberts

Spring is the time to think about new entry doors, especially if yours are old or have survived many a harsh winter. There are many choices nowadays. You can go with a high security steel to a traditional carved wood one. Each will bring not only practical durability but also finishing touches of style to your home’s exterior.

Before buying your doors, it’s best to walk through your local lumberyards, mills, or do it yourself stores. Get an idea of what’s out there and what you think would look best complimenting your house. Also take your climate into consideration. If you have severe winters and , hot,arid summers, then look for a sturdy door that can withstand all kinds of weather conditions. (although most homeowners also opt for a protective outer storm door) . Doors can come either flushed, paneled or carved with designs. Most homeowners chose the first two. Flushed doors are flat and smooth on both sides while paneled doors have rectangular recesses or panels, framed by horizontal rails and vertical stiles. Panel construction originated with wood doors. They’re designed this way to minimize any cracking or warping by giving the panels enough room to shift as they expand and contract. Most house styles demand one or the other. For example flushed doors look the best in modern squares or split levels while paneled doors enhance Colonials and Cape Cods. Carved doors, which are usually specially made look wonderful complimenting specialty homes such as Tudors, or Spanish hacienda styles.

Once you've chosen your type, its' now time to consider what material you want your door. Most homeowners will choose the traditional wood door and why not? Wood is beautiful, adding a decorative richness to both a home’s interior and exterior. These doors come in a variety of woods from cherry to the more solid oak, walnut and maple. Homeowners can also choose the more rustic pine, fir or maple. Remember wood doors are vulnerable to heat and moisture and must be maintained with a durable finish. Most are mass produced but are relatively sturdy, unlike most mass produced home items. They are made with an engineered wood core faced with a veneer. This type of construction minimizes warping and movement along with making the doors more affordable to build. Understand that veneers are easily damaged, especially if they’re thinner than 1/16th of an inch. Wood doors are not for homes with small children or a lot of traffic. Nicks and dings will show up thanks to carelessness or roughhousing. You can have wood doors custom made along with being finished in different colors or stains. Some more expensive wooden doors can have a high insulation value of R-5 as opposed to the usual R-2. Keep in mind that wood doors are pricey. A low end run can run as high as $600 while ones with complete entry system may cost anywhere between $2,000 to $4000.

Fiberglass is a less expensive alternative. It can withstand harsh or humid climates better than a wood can. Remember that a fiberglass door however is not 100% fiberglass. It does have a durable surface of compression molded fiberglass that covers a framework of wooden stiles, rails and edging. The framework ‘s voids are filled in with ozone safe CFC (chlorofluorocarbon) free insulation. Fiberglass doors can either be bought as single units or complete entry systems. You can get them with oak over jambs, oak adjustable sills, security strike plates and a lifetime limited warranty.(this varies depending on the manufacturer). Since they are durable as well as maintenance free, their warranties usually will last the lifetime of your house. Fiberglass doors are easy on the budget. You can pay as little as $200 for a 3’0” by 6’8’ one that has no glazing or hardware. A fully loaded fiberglass system however , can run as high as $4,000.

Steel doors are another choice worth looking into, especially if you want safety and durability. This type of door can withstand anything. It won’t crack , warp or come apart. It is also easy to fix. You can repair dents with just an auto repair kit. Steel doors may sound industrial but their look is anything but. Most have surfaces of heavy gauge galvanized steel which will then have embossed.wood grain patterns. Some even have a wood fiber coating that allows them to be stained just like a natural wood door. High end steel doors may even have real wood laminated to their surfaces. Conventional steel doors are factory primed with a baked on polyester finish that may require periodic repainting Some may be given a vinyl coating for greater weather resistance. All types of steel doors do have inner frames consisting of either wood or more steel. The cavities within these are filled with a high density foam insulation usually with an insulation value of R-8. Steel is the least expensive of all the materials. A regular (3’0” by 6”8”) sized one without hardware or glazing can cost as low as $100 to $120. Of course prices will rise if you get a full assembly steel door. For an extra charge you can also order thicker steel skinned doors.

Remember that when replacing an existing door you have to measure its’ actual width. , thickness (usually 1 ¾ inches) and height (6’8”). If you're buying a complete entry system with jamb replacement, then measure your existing jamb’s width. Do this from the inside of the exterior molding to the inside of the interior molding. (this equals your wall’s thickness). Also note where the doorknob is placed. If it’s on the door’s right side, it’s considered right handed. If it’s located on the left, then it’s a left handed one. When you buy your door, keep in mind that all the entry components should come from the same manufacturer. Be warned that this may not be so. Many systems are assembled by a multitude of different distributors. Parts may not fit accurately which will cause undue headaches when you’re installing your door. Also be sure that all weather stripping seals effectively and the threshold interlocks with the door’s bottom edge. Make sure that your new door’s windows are security safe and highly resilient to breakage (they should come with a guarantee of some kind). Door windows should have low E glazing along with leaded or brass caming (the metal bands that join the panes together).

Choose your entry door with care and consideration. It not only protects your house but also keeps the elements at bay. Also opt for one that compliments your home's style and color but is not overpowering in it's look or design. Select a door that you'd be proud to open to the world.