Entry door buying quick guide
Getting started
Entry doors are many times more than justEntry Doors-- those we checked can also be used in back or on the side. Because the frontdoorway of your home dictates the most attention from the street, it also Entry Doors commands the most attention in the marketplace. Here's what to mull over, wherever you put it.
We've found that most entrance doorways perform well overall. But the materials they're constructed from-- fiberglass, steel, and wood-- each have assets and weak spots. And while a low-cost steel door can be the equal of a wood or fiberglass door costing five times as much, it's not the most effective choice for depreciation.
Browsing the web.
Whether you patronize a supplier or on the web, you'll save time by doing some research online and at least visiting a store to truly see what you're purchasing. Manufacturer sites describe materials and offer magazines, and can help you to find a local store. And despite the fact that you don't see the exact garage door you want, a similar model can give you a good idea of construction and finish.
Energy efficiency.
Steel and fiberglass entrances typically have more insulating value than wood doors. Models that are Energy Star-qualified must be independently tested and certified, and often boast tighter-fitting frames, energy-efficient fundamentals, and, for models with glass double- or triple-panel insulating glass to reduce heat transfer. You'll find more details on the federal EPA's EnergyStar website. But you may not save as much as you think, since doors are a small part of the surface area of a house and typically.don't allow substantial amounts of warm air to get away. What's more, heat is generally lost through air leaks around the door not through the door itself.
Installment.
Entry doors are also called door systems because they come pre-hung http://taylordoorco.com/entry-doors-2/ in a frame and are typically predrilled for a knob and.
deadbolt. Unless an installation door is part of a larger redesign project, you may want the new door to be without a doubt the same size as the old one. Choosing a larger door or adding sidelights means redoing the door framing around the door-- a job best left to a.
specialist. Home centers generally offer installation or referral services. Unless you're a skilled carpenter, you may also want to hire a pro to install same-size doorways.
Keep yourself and your family safe.
It takes a premium door lock to deter burglaries and home invasions. Many crooks kick in doors to get in. But unless your door is hollow, it's not the entry way itself that lets housebreakers in. Our tests with a battering ram have shown little difference in
durability among door materials. All Entry Doors eventually failed because the doorjamb split near the lock's strike plate, though we also found that beefed-up locks and strike plates can drastically increase a door's kick-in resistance Some other ways to strengthen an exterior door: Use a lock with a 1-inch-long deadbolt and a reinforced metal box strike. Use 3-inch-long mounting screws so they lodge in the framing beyond the door jamb. And don't overlook the door that leads into your home from the garage.
Getting started
Entry doors are many times more than justEntry Doors-- those we checked can also be used in back or on the side. Because the frontdoorway of your home dictates the most attention from the street, it also Entry Doors commands the most attention in the marketplace. Here's what to mull over, wherever you put it.
We've found that most entrance doorways perform well overall. But the materials they're constructed from-- fiberglass, steel, and wood-- each have assets and weak spots. And while a low-cost steel door can be the equal of a wood or fiberglass door costing five times as much, it's not the most effective choice for depreciation.
Browsing the web.
Whether you patronize a supplier or on the web, you'll save time by doing some research online and at least visiting a store to truly see what you're purchasing. Manufacturer sites describe materials and offer magazines, and can help you to find a local store. And despite the fact that you don't see the exact garage door you want, a similar model can give you a good idea of construction and finish.
Energy efficiency.
Steel and fiberglass entrances typically have more insulating value than wood doors. Models that are Energy Star-qualified must be independently tested and certified, and often boast tighter-fitting frames, energy-efficient fundamentals, and, for models with glass double- or triple-panel insulating glass to reduce heat transfer. You'll find more details on the federal EPA's EnergyStar website. But you may not save as much as you think, since doors are a small part of the surface area of a house and typically.don't allow substantial amounts of warm air to get away. What's more, heat is generally lost through air leaks around the door not through the door itself.
Installment.
Entry doors are also called door systems because they come pre-hung http://taylordoorco.com/entry-doors-2/ in a frame and are typically predrilled for a knob and.
deadbolt. Unless an installation door is part of a larger redesign project, you may want the new door to be without a doubt the same size as the old one. Choosing a larger door or adding sidelights means redoing the door framing around the door-- a job best left to a.
specialist. Home centers generally offer installation or referral services. Unless you're a skilled carpenter, you may also want to hire a pro to install same-size doorways.
Keep yourself and your family safe.
It takes a premium door lock to deter burglaries and home invasions. Many crooks kick in doors to get in. But unless your door is hollow, it's not the entry way itself that lets housebreakers in. Our tests with a battering ram have shown little difference in
durability among door materials. All Entry Doors eventually failed because the doorjamb split near the lock's strike plate, though we also found that beefed-up locks and strike plates can drastically increase a door's kick-in resistance Some other ways to strengthen an exterior door: Use a lock with a 1-inch-long deadbolt and a reinforced metal box strike. Use 3-inch-long mounting screws so they lodge in the framing beyond the door jamb. And don't overlook the door that leads into your home from the garage.