Exterior doors play an important role in everybody’s property. It enhances the look of the house through its design and it also serves as one of the lines of defenses in terms of home security.

There are a lot of reasons why people would want to replace their exterior doors. Two of the most common reasons are:

1. Due to damage
2. Due to design

Whatever the reason for the replacement is, it is imperative to take a good understanding of exterior doors so that homeowners will be able to get the full use and potential of this house fixture.

Guide to Replacing Exterior Door

• Planning and canvassing is an important step in this project.
• You need to be aware of the new materials and features of doors that are available in the market today. What’s good about most of the doors available is that they do not only provide the aspect of functionality, but it can also add beauty and improve the house’s curb appeal.
• Since front doors are those that have one side exposed, the door material should be chosen carefully.
• The weather conditions in your local area must be taken into consideration when choosing doors.
• Although solid wood has always been a popular choice among many homeowners, fiber glass doors are also gaining popularity in the market today.
• Wooden doors especially those with visible grains are definitely a wonderful addition to an exterior of the house.
• Since wooden doors are expensive, fiber glass or steel doors can be a good option. These are durable and can be painted in a variety of colors and design.
• The function of the door must also be considered. If its main purpose is to serve as an entry door for everybody, it is better to choose a door material that would be easily maintained and durable.
• Heavy wooden doors with intricate details can be used if the door is used by guests only.
• Even if the door material and the function are important factors, the overall design of the door must not be taken for granted.

It is better to hire a door and window contractor to assist you in these kinds of situations.

Doors were once created to make a passage between two spaces separated by a wall. Aside from that, another purpose on why doors were created is due to security. But doors will not be able to fully secure a household if door locks are not installed.

Security and Style

• Front door locks, when properly installed, are crucial in keeping intruders out of your house.
• Front door locks are household necessities that homeowners should not be thrifty on.
• Quality locks must be used to ensure the family’s and the property’s safety. Aside from security, front door locks can also provide design and style to the entry doors of houses.

Types of Front Door Locks

There are different kinds of front door locks available in the market today.

• Entry locksets

The most common type of front door locks. This type of lockset offers medium security and it is capable of being locked both from the inside and the outside. A key will be needed if this lockset was to be locked from the outside though.

• Passage locksets and privacy locksets

Locks like these are very common but should not be used in the front door. These locks are only suitable if security is not needed like for the rooms inside the house. Although it may provide privacy, it will not be able to keep intruders from entering the house.

• Deadbolt lock

Is a lock that may provide maximum security to the house. It does not use any kind of springs to move the bolt and is operated solely by a thumb turn on the inside or a key from the outside.

• Handle sets

These are also commonly used in exterior doors nowadays. Handlesets provide elegant and class while giving the family a sense of security at the same time. Handlesets combine the mechanism of a deadbolt and a lockset.

For those who are not into using keys, there are mechanisms today that can provide security without having to bring numerous keys around. Keyless entry system uses codes, remotes and detection devices to identify the homeowner. These types of systems are often equipped with an alarm system that will sound off in case a number of incorrect attempts are made.

There are a lot of styles and designs of doors today. Most of them are featured in home magazines an online. The door is one of the first places that visitors can see. It is the opening of the house. Aside from decorative purposes, the door is also a basic security tool that will protect the people living in it.

Front door accessories are available to serve the purpose of aesthetics and there are also of those with functions geared towards security.

Door Viewers

A common accessory seen among front doors in most neighborhoods around the country is a door viewer. Door viewers are those tiny peepholes that will allow family members to look at what or who are outside even without having to open the door.

Door viewers are great for security and they’re quite cheap too. You can choose from a variety of types that will suit your preference.

Door Knobs

Door knobs and entrance sets may be typical parts but they can also become great decorative accessories to entry doors.

Door guards

These are commonly seen in houses with children living in it. The purpose of door guards is to prevent and reduce any incidents of accidental trapping of fingers in doors. These are usually made of plastic or rubber. It is a great way in protecting the members of the family.

These door guards are perfectly paired with handle-side door protection since it will prevent the door from slamming to the frame.

Doorstops

Another great front door accessory that you might want to consider is a doorstop. Doorstops are wonderful since they will protect the wall of your house from the damage that the door might inflict. It prevents the door from touching the wall to prevent scratches or paint smudges. It also absorbs the impact when the door is slammed open.

Door Knockers

A door knocker is also an accessory that you can add. It will basically alert homeowners that a visitor is right outside by making a banging noise. Although doorbells are present, these fixtures can provide both function and elegance to your front door.

There are lots of other accessories that you can find in your local hardware that you can check out including items for residential garage doors.

The exterior of the house is always what other people see. It basically creates a first impression to the neighbors. The exterior of the house can give the owners a sense of pride. Having a well maintained exterior could also reflect on what kind of people living inside the house, a family that values property.

Improving the front of the house is actually very easy. But the most crucial part of dressing up the front of the house is upgrading the entry doors and garage doors. The doors are what welcome the visitors. It can also become a statement piece specifically the garage doors since they are very visible and take up a lot of exterior space.

Different Ways To Improve Front Area of the House

Customizing and Upgrading of Doors

• One way of spicing up a front door is by having it customized.
• A custom entry door is a way to have control on how you want your front area will look like.
• Since the door is the focal point, having it customized to your own design and liking will reflect to the whole exterior space.
• Upgrading the garage door is also a good way to improve the front of the house. Residential garage doors are bigger and wider so people will definitely notice it when they pass by your property.
• Changing the garage door can easily transform the front of the house.

Things to Consider in Changing Garage Door

• Design is only one aspect in choosing a new garage door.
• The material, the color and features like insulation should also be considered.
• It is also important to make sure that the garage door design complements the overall style of the house.
• If the exterior is more of a traditional English house, you can go with a garage door with embellishments and details that will match the theme.

Lighting

Once the exterior doors and garage doors are upgraded, you can carry on to lighting.

• Lighting can also improve the front of the house especially at night.
• A well-lit porch is always good to look at. It also provides a sense of security and safety to the family.

Repainting and redesigning the front landscape can also make the front area of the house more appealing.

Door viewers, also known as peepholes, are holes in the door where people can actually see what is on the other side without opening the door. It is usually a simple barrel with some lenses to maximize visualization through a tiny hole.

The Benefits

• Door viewers are very beneficial to families and it is a wonderful security tool in the house.
• Having a door viewer in entry doors is very advantageous especially to women who live by themselves.
• It is also beneficial to families with kids. Well, basically every family that’s concerned about their security will benefit from door viewers.
• Strangers knocking on your front door are quite scary and you will be able to check first if you want to open the door or not.
• Door viewers are relatively cheap and very easy to install.
• Having a door viewer also gives you the choice not to entertain someone you are uncomfortable with.

The Types

There are various types of door viewers available in the market today. Whatever door viewer you choose, it will surely add a sense of security in your house.

Miniscope

It is the typical door viewer found in most houses.It is one of the smallest and easiest door viewers to install. It can easily fit through a typical door width. This type provides a sharp and clear fish-eye picture of the other side. This is commonly used in doors of apartments. It requires a 15 mm bore to be able to install it.

Miniview

It is another type of door viewer which is perfect for thin exterior doors. It is one of the shortest door viewers in the market which uses a conventional lens providing a wide angle 200- degree view of the other side. A 1-inch bore is required for installation.

Xtrascope

It is quite similar to a miniscope but this one is suitable for thicker or reinforced doors. It also gives a 200 degree angle.

Widescope

It’s a type used commercially and industrially.

Ultravision

It is a type that uses advanced lenses that allows the person to see a 132- degree wide angle horizontal view.