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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Irrespective of the product or brand you select, it is a must for you to read directions thoroughly. Take note of the recommendations for the needed flooring preparation and temperature requirement. Failure is most likely to happen if the surface will not be prepared properly and the temperature is too low. Remember that the resilience of the paint is negatively affected if the surface has excessive moisture.

Garage floor has to be examined   

Is your garage floor dry, tidy and free of major fractures or damage? Expect for a good painting result if you answered yes. However, if there are holes and the humidity is high, you have to patch them first using concrete patch and waterproofing products before you start painting.

Garage floor has to be cleaned

The floor should be free from any debris and foreign objects. Clean it with broom and vacuum. If grease is a problem, solve it with a degreasing solution and a hard brush. Douse the degreaser and let the floor dry.

Garaged floor has to be etched

Garage floor should have proper texture to make painting a success. Paint sticks best if the surface has enough roughness like that of light sandpaper. Smooth surfaces have to be etched first or be rinsed with muriatic acid to achieve desire texture. Always read instructions from the manufacturer to be safe.

First Coating Application

Experts in the painting industry would always recommend thinning the initial coat with enough amount of water for the concrete to absorb the paint easily. Using of paint brush is much better for this particular task rather than a paint roller.

Final Coating Application

For the second coating, you can apply the paint by using a brush or a roller. Resident garage doors have to be closed or locked to make sure that nobody will enter the place while the paint is still wet. . Let the latex garage floor paint dry at least 24 hours before you allow anybody walking on it and at least 7 days before driving automobile on it.

Intruders are keeping an eye on those houses that seem to be unsecured. It makes looting so easy for them. Therefore, doing some measures to spare your house from robbing is needed.

Obviously, the first thing that you need to have is lock. Entry door and windows locking systems must be efficient. You have to understand that these parts are the main entry points. Make sure that windows and doors are always locked during night time or when you are away to deter housebreakers from entering.  Residential garage doors must also be secured.

Second, burglar alarm is also an effective security measure in driving away robbers. Usually, alarm systems have centralized monitoring control. Once a signal is received, authorities normally dispatch patrol cars to check possible incident of robbing. With an alarm system, neighbors will also be alerted especially if the alarm is loud enough. This thing scares intruders.

Third is CCTV. This is also an effective deterrent. Installing cameras in the vicinity of your house will surely discourage burglars. Undoubtedly, they would not want to be caught on cam while robbing. With closed-circuit television cameras, looters will be given an idea that your house is well-secured and they do not want to take the risk.

Fourth is having a dog in your home. Known to be man’s best friend, a dog will surely bark if strangers would be entering your place. It might be too traditional, but this is also an effective deterrent.

Finally, purchasing a home insurance would be a nice idea. Nowadays, burglars are also mastering the “art” of robbery. This makes your home to be always at risk. Home insurance will help in protecting your belongings. If you will be an unlucky victim you will be sheltered for the losses.

To a greater extent, garage doors are now facing the street. This means that more and more people are seeing this part just like the front entry door. It is for this reason that manufacturers are now producing doors for both entry points that are matched. There are numerous combinations that are complementing each other to augment the gorgeousness of your home.

For modern-day garages, carriage house doors are becoming famous because they perform like traditional doors. In the past this type was so costly because of the pricey wood being used in making it. At present there are more cost effective styles that you can choose from that could perfectly match with the existing design of your front door and your home in general.

As a matter of fact, you need not to buy a new one. You can simply do a little enhancing of the existing garage door by updating hardware that would appear to be like the main door.

Garage door installation should also be in accordance with its design and style. For this, you can ask for the service of an expert to make sure that it will be done without a glitch. Remember that the purpose is to pull together a unified style for the two entrances.

Entry doors could make a good impression and it is really remarkable that door makers these days have gone out of their ways to create designs for garage doors that would have an effect of coordinating both for an over-all enhancement of your home’s curb appeal.

• Steel door. This is one of the most durable doors. It has an excellent quality and is so reliable.  It can keep you safe from housebreakers.
• Wood door. Obviously, this is so elegant. This kind of material is not costly but it gives your home that luxurious look that’s why it is the most sought-after door.
• Vinyl door. This only needs low maintenance. It would be a nice choice because of its energy saving feature and curb attraction.
• Carriage house style door. There are various panels of this kind that would blend well with the architectural design of your house. Choose the best one that could enhance the look of your home.
• Wind loaded door.  This door is especially designed with specific wind codes that could detect a weather disturbance that would hit the area. It has the capacity to go against strong winds and other natural weather calamities.

By now, you might be thinking which among these doors would be suitable for your house. Make sure that your door would heighten the over-all appearance of your home.

Garage door installation would not be a problem because the companies will send experts to do the task for you. All you need to do is choose the kind of door that would suit your personal preferences and your house’s motif. In case your existing door needs to be fixed, you can also count on them.

• The Look. A front door that has a good appearance will surely catch the attention of those people from a distance. More so if they get near to it, see it up close and touch it when they enter and exit. Even those who are passing by will get an impression of who are the people residing there. If this frontline part of the home is well-maintained it would be presumed that all other furnishings inside are being taken care of.
• The Location. The placement of the door is also important to consider. If it is covered by bushes and big plants or hidden behind any wall, it is not an appealing idea. Your friends and guests who are visiting your place will surely have a hard time to locate it. They might feel that they are not welcomed warmly.
• The Price and Quality. Superior quality is for sure more expensive. But this makes statement of the kind of home that you have.  Simple designs may be suitable for modest house. Remember that this part spells the entirety of the house so spending a bit is worthy.
• The Material. There are different materials available but each of them has advantage and disadvantage. For instance, wood looks elegant and sophisticated but it requires high maintenance compared to other materials.
• The Function. This door that welcomes everyone should function excellently. The opening and closing system should be easy. All important accessories such as locks and bolts have to be in place.

Though front door is vital, you should not also forget of other parts of your house.

Exterior doors and other points of entry in the house should not be taken for granted.