Exterior Door Replacement
 Replacing your exterior doors is an upgrade that can pay for itself – or even make a profit – by increasing your home’s value. And if you choose energy efficient exterior doors, you may qualify for a tax credit that can offset a portion of the purchase price as well as reduce your energy bills.
But how do you know which door is right for you? That’s why we created this guide.
Types of Exterior Doors
Exterior doors are available in an incredible variety of designs to match any home. From the basic steel door to ornate, hand-carved wood doors, you can find one for any taste or budget. Plus, the addition of transoms and sidelights to your door can transform any home into a showplace.
Materials
Exterior doors are constructed from one of three basic materials – steel, fiberglass and wood. We’ve listed the advantages of each here to help you make your decision.
- Steel – Steel is the most affordable option today for exterior doors. They offer excellent strength, but are susceptible to denting, which can be difficult and expensive to repair. Steel doors don’t stand up to normal wear and tear as well as wood and fiberglass, especially in areas exposed to salt air. If your door will be heavily exposed to traffic or the elements, you may be better off choosing a different material.
- Fiberglass – Fiberglass doors come in an immense variety of styles, many of which offer the look of real wood. But unlike real wood, fiberglass doesn’t expand or contract appreciably as the weather changes. In a reasonably protected location, a fiberglass entry door can go years without needing a paint or stain touch-up. And if limited maintenance is important, fiberglass may be your best bet.
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Wood – Wood is still considered the go-to choice for high-end projects. It’s elegant look and substantial weight can’t be completely duplicated by fiberglass or steel. If your home calls for a stunning entry statement with a handcrafted touch, wood may be the best material for you. Wood is usually the most expensive choice and requires the most maintenance, but is easier to repair than dents that can occur in steel or fiberglass. Wood doors should be repainted or refinished every year or two to prevent splitting and warping.
Features
There are a number of features to consider with any exterior door choice. And depending on which are most important to you can affect your decision. Security - When it comes to security, all three materials are acceptable. And while steel is stronger than wood or fiberglass, the difference is not significant. Regardless of which door you choose, you want to make sure it fits tightly into the frame with no more than 1/8" clearance between the door and the frame and is fitted with secure, high quality door locks. Not only will these features give you security, they’ll also help prevent drafts and reduce heating costs.
- Glass - If you can imagine it, chances are, someone is already building it. You can find exterior doors with glass panels of full view, 3/4 view, half view, 1/4 view, with one sidelight or two, even transoms. There’s clear glass, textured glass, tinted glass and decorative glass. We could name them all here, but that would take a while.
- Swing - Doors are available as inswing (I/S) or outswing (O/S) models. This simply refers to which way your exterior door will swing: outward (toward the outside of the house) or inward (toward the inside). Most homes are built to accommodate inswing doors. However, your exterior door can be designed to swing outward if you prefer, or if your home design requires it.
- Hinges - Hinges can be located on either the right-hand or left-hand side of the door. Generally, hinges are on the left for an outswing door while those on the right for an inswing door. But you can always have a door created to meet your specific needs.
We hope this guide has been helpful. If you have any further questions, don’t hesitate to contact us at 914-682-0003. We’ll be happy to answer any exterior door questions you may have.
ENERGY STAR is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Department of Energy that identifies and promotes energy efficient products in order to reduce carbon dioxide emissions. New ENERGY STAR qualified windows can help reduce your energy bill up to 15 percent. Estimated savings vary from region to region depending on current heating and cooling costs and are generally greatest where there are hot summers, cold winters or both. In addition, ENERGY STAR qualified windows and doors do more than just lower energy bills – they deliver more comfort, create less condensation, and protect your valuables from sun damage better than conventional clear-glass double-paned alternatives.
We’re pleased to say that the vast majority of our windows and patio doors meet or exceed ENERGY STAR criteria throughout the United States.
Visit energystar.gov to learn more about the ENERGY STAR Program.
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