Welcoming Guests With The Right Entry Door

WELCOMING GUESTS WITH THE RIGHT ENTRY DOOR


Part 1Choosing an Entry Door - A How-to

If there’s such a thing as the “most important” door, it’s got to be the entry door. Aside from serving as the first line of defense against would-be trespassers, it also acts as the centerpiece of your home’s exterior, as well as a crucial part of your home’s insulation. Entry doors are available in various styles. Not just one can reign over all the others because different homes have different entry door requirements. The right entry door is essentially what will address your needs the most. Find out what yours is by taking

into consideration certain criteria.


CHOOSING AN ENTRY DOOR - A HOW-TO

MATERIALWhat should your entry door be made of? Some materials are more durable than others, but they are usually more expensive. Materials can also dictate the level of energy efficiency a door will be capable of and how it will look like and if it will fit in with the rest of your home’s overall look.

STYLEDoors come in a range styles so there are plenty of options to choose from. Generally, it’s best to pick out a door that matches your home’s architectural styles but there are many instances when a classically styled door complemented a more contemporary home and vice versa. Do you want a solid door or one with glass panels to let in natural light? Go over as many styles as you can and don’t hesitate to ask your local contractor for assistance in choosing a style that would go best with your home.


CHOOSING AN ENTRY DOOR - A HOW-TO

AVAILABLE SPACEDo you have enough room for a multi-paneled entry door or is a single-paneled door all you can get? Door options can be narrowed down simply by figuring out the maximum size of your door frame. Be mindful too of the amount of clearance you’ll need around your entryway to operate a certain door.

OPERATIONRemember that your entry door will see a lot of activity so you should have one that is easy and comfortable to use. Add to this consideration whether you’re interested in sliding or swinging doors.


Part 2Popular Entry Door Types

The range of entry doors available to you is astounding. They will come in different styles, colors and price points but entry doors are generally categorized into types. Here’s a rundown of the most

popular types of entry doors:


POPULAR ENTRY DOOR TYPES

FLUSH DOORThe most simple type, a flush entry door is characterized by a simple panel design (or lack of it). This simple design makes it more ideal as an interior door but it will perform decently as an entry door for those looking to work with a limited budget.

PANEL DOORA panel door also features a solid surface like a flush door, but its face is divided into smaller panels (hence its name) to give it a more three-dimensional look.

GLASS AND WINDOWED DOORSGlass and windowed doors feature glass panels. They are different from each other in that glass doors are mostly constructed with glass, while windowed doors have more solid sections.


POPULAR ENTRY DOOR TYPES

SLIDING DOORA sliding door opens or closes by sliding a panel horizontally along tracks on top and the bottom edges of the door frame. Although sliding doors can have solid panels, many of them incorporate a lot of glass to achieve a more contemporary look.

FRENCH DOORA French door is largely characterized by glass panels running the length of the door. As it has two operable panels, this door a type of door is best for homes that can accommodate larger door frames. When used as patio doors, French doors seamlessly connect indoor and outdoor spaces.

STORM DOORMore a secondary door, a storm door complements an entry door by providing additional protection from the elements. As it features a mesh panel, it can be used to keep dirt and debris out of a home while the main door is left open for ventilation purposes.


Part 3Popular Entry DoorMaterials

An entry door’s functionality greatly depends on what it’s made of. It’s not just about what’s more expensive or which one is designed to last longer; choosing the right material boils down to finding out which one suits your specific needs. Understanding what a certain material can do for you will help you determine if it

is the best choice for your entry door.


POPULAR ENTRY DOOR MATERIALS

VINYL Of all door materials available, few come close to the affordability of vinyl. Vinyl entry doors are also significantly lighter than doors made of other materials so they are easier to install. But despite being lightweight, vinyl doors have durability that allow them to resist rust and rot.

WOODOne of the earliest door materials, and still one of the most popular, wood provides excellent insulation if installed with the right weatherstripping. It can easily outlast vinyl but routine maintenance will be necessary.

COMPOSITEThis material consists of plastic mixed with cellulose fibers for extra structural strength. A composite door is basically a compromise between a vinyl door and a wooden door, offering great moisture resistance without sacrificing vinyl’s weight and wood’s durability.


POPULAR ENTRY DOOR MATERIALS

METALMetal entry doors are generally made with aluminum and steel. Despite being associated with moisture-related problems such as rust and corrosion, metal doors are well-known for offering better durability than wood. Fortunately, production techniques such as galvanization and application of protective coatings allow metal doors to stand up against heavy rain and snow.

FIBERGLASSFiberglass has always had a reputation for being tough and now that it’s made its way to doors, you can take advantage of that top-notch durability for your home. Combining plastic with a mat of woven glass fibers, fiberglass is easily up to par with metal and wooden doors when it comes to resisting damage caused by strong impacts, changes in temperature, and even fire and moisture damage. Fiberglass doors will be comparable in cost to wood doors but expect savings down the line because of excellent energy efficiency and low maintenance requirements.


TOMS RIVER DOOR & WINDOW1540 Route 37 West Toms River,

NJ 08755

(732) 719-2722www.TomsRiverDoorAndWindow.com

http://www.TomsRiverDoorAndWindow.com

Documents

Welcoming Guests With The Right Entry Door