Many homeowners do not spend much time, if any thinking about their front door. It doesn’t matter if your home was just built, or if you have lived in your home for the past 15 years, your front door has probably been nothing more than the main entryway into your home. However, if you really think about your front door, it has multiple functions. It plays a big role when it comes to your home’s curb appeal, chances are anyone walking up to your home is focused on the front door. Your door plays a key role in hour home’s security, as it keeps out any unwanted guests and all the elements mother nature throws at it. Your door also affects your home’s energy efficiency, as a door that seals well will help maintain your ideal interior temperature with the least amount of effort.
Here are a few things to look out for when it comes to your entry door’s appearance, security, and efficiency.
When working on touching up the exterior aesthetics of your home, the first thought for most people is their lawn and other landscaping. The impression your front door gives off should also be on your list. After all your front door is often the focal point of your home’s exterior. A worn out, weathered door will give people the impression that your home is unkept and uncared for. Often a fresh coat of paint can revive a weathered or scratched door. If this is the case with your door, consider painting your door a colour that stands out versus the rest of your home for an added pop. A dark red or light blue are both popular choices. If your front door is rotting, is difficult to open/close or is no longer level it may be time to look into door replacement options.
A new front door can improve your home’s security, doors made of stronger materials, such as steel and updated multi-point locking mechanisms can all help keep unwanted intruders at bay. However, if your entry door is the original one installed at the time your home was built, it doesn’t mean that it is not secure, you may just need to make a few updates to improve the level of security your current door offers. Start by replacing the ¾ – 1 inch screws in your deadbolt plate with 3” screws. These screws should fasten into your doors frame making it harder to kick in. While you are at it, replace the screws that attach your hinges to your door and the frame with 3” screws for additional sturdiness. If you are finding it difficult to close or lock your existing front door, you may want to look at replacing your locking mechanism or even your entryway door, as a door that doesn’t lock properly leaves your home exposed.
Your doors and windows allow natural light into your home while providing you a view of the outside world from the comfort of your home. However, if your doors and windows are not energy efficient, they can be costing your hundreds of dollars a year in increased energy bills. Your HVAC system will need to work harder to keep your home warm in the winter and cool in the summer. If there is a draft coming from around your front door’s seal, this will also lead to additional money spent on your energy bills as cold air will enter your home and warm air will escape in the winter, and the opposite will be true in the summer. Replacing your door with a more energy-efficient door (fiberglass doors tend to be the most energy-efficient) will reduce your energy costs, and eventually pay for itself over time, with the money saved.
Your front door plays many roles, it can be the star of your home’s exterior appearance, it is the head of security, keeping out any uninvited guests and harsh elements, and it helps reduce your energy expenses. So, when the signs it’s time to replace your front door show themselves, don’t delay on acting. It could cost you far more in the long run, if you delay.
