Homeowners tend to pay more attention to their windows than their front door. It’s not surprising. Today’s home improvement market is filled with ads touting the importance of energy-efficient windows. So, while we’re quite aware that we ought to replace our single-pane, non-energy efficient windows with better options, we seldom consider our front doors with any urgency. But front doors serve many critical functions, from boosting curb appeal and property value to providing security and, yes, improving energy efficiency. It’s therefore vital, as a responsible homeowner, that you know when one or more of these functions are compromised. With that in mind, if you see any of the following signs, a front door replacement may be in order:
Your Door is Hard to Open and Close
If the simple act of opening and closing your door amounts to a low-intensity workout, it may be time replace the door. When a door is warped, it can stick to the door jamb. Warping leads not only to operational difficulty, but it can also cause gaps to appear between the door and the frame. Gaps allow air to flow in and out of your home, which reduces your home’s thermal efficiency and can lead to higher energy bills. A sagging door can also be difficult to operate. If your door scrapes along the floor when you open and close it, it’s likely sagging, or warped, in which case replacement is advisable.
Our doors have best-in-class energy efficiency, durability, and security
Your Door Is Unsightly
If your front door is pocked with dings, dents, and rust, its structural integrity may be compromised, to say nothing of your home’s exterior appearance. (Rust can also indicate problems with moisture.) Most doors eventually show a small measure of wear-and-tear, but when it’s extensive, your door may not be as sturdy as it used to be.
Your Door is Weathered or Cracked
Temperature fluctuations cause wood front doors to expand and contract. It may not be noticeable at first, but over time, this expansion and contraction can lead to cracks. A close inspection of your door may reveal stress fractures in the grains of the wood. Don’t ignore them. Stress fractures can lead to air infiltration that may reduce your home’s thermal comfort, especially if your door is old and has been through many seasons.
Our doors have best-in-class energy efficiency, durability, and security
Your Door is Outdated
Make no mistake, an outdated door, particularly a well-maintained one, can still function effectively. But what if your door’s outdated look is not your design intention at all? Your front door contributes greatly to your home’s overall aesthetics and can affect property value as well as—like it or not—the perception that guests and passersby have of you and your family. So, if your front door is in the diagonal-glass 1970s style, you may want to consider replacing it with a more stylish, contemporary option.
Doors That Fit Your Life
Homeowners have different needs and tastes when it comes to front doors. That’s why Opal Enterprises offers and installs a variety of front doors in numerous styles that include a slew of design options. With us as your home improvement partner, you can choose a premium door constructed from steel, wood, vinyl, or fiberglass that can be customized with decorative glass, specialty knobs, and the stain or paint finish of your choice. Our Naperville door replacement services can give your home a refresh and make your home more secure. To learn more about our front doors and our expert replacement service, contact Opal Exteriors.
