First impressions are everything, which means the entrance to your home will play a vital role in someone’s initial assessment of your home. And when it comes to your entryway, the main focal point is often your front door. Your front door should not only be functional but also inviting to guests. If you can barely remember when you last replaced your front door, you are not alone. But it means it may be time to consider an upgrade. A new door can help bring your personality to the exterior of your home and help increase your home's value and curb appeal.
So how do you know when to replace the front door? Below are some signs to watch for that may indicate the need for an upgrade:
While some creaking will happen as a door ages, if it becomes loud, consistent, or also includes squealing, it could be time for a new front door. This likely means that your hinges have worn down due to water seeping into a wooden door, or could just be a result of aging.
If your wooden door becomes hard to open and close, or catches when it does, then it means that it has started to expand. This can be due to moisture build-up causing a wooden door to expand. The rule of thumb is, if you find yourself struggling to open or close your door at all, it is time to start looking for a new one. You could consider an entry door made of fiberglass or steel, which won’t have the same sticking problems.
While your front door was designed to withstand the elements, harsh weather like long and cold winters can lead to your door warping and cracking. When cracking occurs, you may be concerned with the door’s appearance, but cracks are also the perfect way for insects to get inside. Any warping or cracking in a front door should be treated as a safety concern and rectified as soon as possible.
Do you notice that when the temperature drops, you feel cold air leaking in from your front door? Have you already tried to fix the problem by throwing a decorative draft blocker at the base? If so, then purchasing a new front door should be at the top of your list. Not only are draft blockers annoying when you have to come in and out of the home, but they also are merely masking a problem that is likely to get worse as your door gets older. These gaps will occur naturally over time, but once they’ve started, they only get worse. By replacing your front door, you will avoid the nuisance of a draft blocker, help keep your home a more consistent temperature, and lower the cost of your heating and cooling bills.
Another sign that it’s time to consider a front door upgrade is if you notice scratches or gouges in the floor where the door opens. As mentioned before, older doors can warp or expand, and when this occurs, it can lead to floor damage through constant opening and closing. Even if the blemishes on your floor don’t bother you, you still should replace the door because warped doors cannot be fixed. It is likely that an exterior door has become warped from constant exposure to moisture. The more moisture that accumulates, the more likely it is to begin to crack and let in drafts or pests.
When temperatures fluctuate, it can lead to a build-up of condensation, most notably in between the panes of glass that are in your door. While this may be your first sign of moisture in your door, it likely means that moisture has spread into other parts of the door as well. Moisture can lead to a warped front door as well as the spread of moisture into the entryway, resulting in mold and mildew. Be sure to clean any mildew or mold immediately and consider a front door replacement. While the problem is most likely with the seals around the glass panels, the repair can be costly, making it the better option to buy a new door, especially if yours has been there for some time.
If you catch condensation build-up early, before it begins to affect the door, replacing the glass can be a cost-effective DIY project. Check out Zabitat for how-to’s and selection!
If you have begun to notice an increase in the number of insects and pests in your home, there is a good chance that they may be coming in right through your front door. When your door becomes old and develops gaps or cracks, they create the perfect opening for pests and bugs to come inside to scavenge for food or find a warm place to nest. Of course, no one wants bugs or pests in their home, but the biggest problem is the health hazard that they can cause.
If you notice any of the signs above, it is time to consider installing a new front door. ODL has a variety of doorglass designs that can give your entryway a face-lift and improve the value and curb appeal of your home. Check out some of our most popular styles by visiting our Inspiration Gallery.