As you already know, the exterior doors on your home act as an initial and best layer of protection that’ll keep you and your family members safe from unwelcome visitors. Besides this, it’ll also keep your house safe from a wide range of weather conditions and elements, such as snow, rain, heat, as well as wind.
If you decided to replace your exterior entrances, you may be wondering – what materials can I choose from and what is the right one for my residence? To put it simply, it’ll depend on a wide range of factors and the article below will shed some light on the materials you can opt from, as well as what you’ll have to consider. Let’s take a closer glance:
The 3 Factors You’ll Have to Think About
Before we take a look at the materials you can choose from, it’s essential for you to think about a few factors, especially since these factors will assist you with making a decision when it comes to the materials you could pick from. The items you’ll have to consider in order to make the right choice include:
- What Will Match Your House? – You might be living in an old, Victorian-style house, and if so, choosing a trendy, steel door might not be the best choice you make. Hence, you must think about the entire look and design of your residence when you’re looking at some available types on the market. Ensure that the material you opt for matches the rest of the building before you even think about spending your money.
- Did You Establish a Budget? – Naturally, you’ll be able to purchase a door that matches your established budget. For instance, if you like the look of aluminum entrances, you should know that it’s one of the most expensive options on the market, meaning that if your budget isn’t large, you might want to opt for something cheaper. Additionally, if your old door can last a little bit longer, you could use that time to save a bit more for the alternative you prefer.
- What Are Your Preferences? – Lastly, you’ll also want to consider your preferences when it comes to choosing the material for your front doors. In the end, it’s your house, which means that you’ll want to opt for something that you’ll actually like, especially since you’ll be looking at it every single time you walk out or into your residence. Also, it’ll be there for a long time, which means that you must pick something that you like.
The 6 Materials You Can Choose From
The aforementioned factors are the most important ones that you’ll have to consider, however, once you do, your next step is to determine what materials suit your needs and preferences best. Of course, there are various options on the market, however, the most common ones include:
1. Wood
You have guessed it right! Wood is one of the most frequently used materials for exterior entrances, especially since there is a wide range of things that you could do with it. What does this mean? It basically means that you can opt for an alternative that looks trendy or completely rustic and there are various colors to pick from including lighter and darker shades. Some of the wood types that you could opt from include fir, pine, oak, walnut, maple, mahogany, cherry, and so on. Discover more about wooden doors selection in this article by GateDoorWindow.
2. Glass
Now, you might be wondering – is getting a glass door wise? Well, it is, especially since the glass used for manufacturing these doors is sturdy and solid. Getting a door made from glass such as the ones featured on klarfonster.se comes with a lot of benefits. For instance, besides allowing you to see your yard and any individual that is approaching your residence, you’ll also get a lot of natural light, which is quite important for some people.
3. Steel
You might be searching for an option that will add another layer of protection, and if so, you might want to choose steel. These are quite stronger than some other types such as wood, and they won’t warp nor crack over an extended period of time. Additionally, they come with various benefits, including the fact that they won’t allow cold air to enter your residence, meaning that they’ll insulate your house perfectly.
4. Aluminum
The very first thing that you should know about this material is that the door will need to be customized and specifically built to match your house entryway. However, there are a few styles that you could opt from. If you prefer this type, you won’t need to worry about it rusting, nor will you need to paint it from time to time. Why? Well, it’s most commonly covered with an enamel finish, hence, they could easily last for decades without losing their shine.
5. Fiberglass
Although this type will resemble natural lumber quite a lot, you should know that they’re extremely sturdy and they’re also tougher than real lumber. So, should you choose this material? Well, it’ll come down to the climate in the area you live in. If you, for example, live in a harsh climate – no matter if it’s extremely hot or cold in your location – you might want to opt for this type. Additionally, if there is a lot of humidity in your area, you should definitely pick this material.
6. Vinyl
If you’re looking for something that won’t require regular maintenance and if you’re looking for an energy-saving option, you might want to choose vinyl. Besides being maintenance-free and energy-efficient, it’s also one of the cheapest materials that you can pick, which is quite good if you’re on a tight budget. There are two downsides – you won’t have a lot of choices to opt from and they aren’t as durable as some other option.
Conclusion
When choosing an exterior door that will keep your family members and house safe, there are various options to choose from. And, as you were able to learn, there is a wide range of material types available on the market, and you should make a decision based on your preferences, budget, as well as the climate you live in.
So, now that you’re aware of what you could from and what you’ll need to consider, you might not want to lose any more of your time. Instead, you should determine which option is best for your house and then start browsing different online and brick-and-mortar stores in order to find an option that is suitable for your needs, preferences, as well as budget.
