Expert Exterior Door Installation in East Greenville, SC, by Mr. Handyman

An exterior door doesn’t have to be a basic white slab (although it can be if that’s what you want!). Doors come in all shapes and sizes, and for the best fit, it’s ideal for them to be cut directly to the size of your door frame. If you’re thinking about new doors for your house, remember to consider not just the front door but also:

• Storm doors
• Screen doors
• Sliding/patio doors
• Connecting doors (e.g., home to garage)

In some cases, having a screen door alongside your exterior door is a smart move to keep out bugs while allowing air into the house. Think about how you use your home when selecting your door.

What Kinds of Doors Are There?

One of the biggest decisions a homeowner needs to make when replacing a front door is what type of door to use. Whether they’re doors on hinges, Dutch doors with pieces that open separately, or something else, it’s not just the style but also the material that can make a difference. Mr. Handyman has worked with a variety of door materials, including:

• Wood
• Steel
• Fiberglass
• Metal
• Glass
• Aluminum

Of course, these aren’t the only kinds of doors you can pick from—and they’re not the only ones we’ve worked with, either. They’re just some suggestions to get you started! Consider what kind of weather your door will be facing and how often you plan to use it. A front door may be sheltered under a porch overhang, allowing more fragile materials such as glass to be used. Alternatively, your door might be fully exposed to the elements, making wood or steel a better choice.

If you’ve never really given much thought to your exterior doors, you might be wondering whether you even need to do anything with them. It’s helpful to understand just how important doors are to your home. They’re actually serving a lot of critical functions!

• Safety – A strong door in good repair is key for a secure house; otherwise, the inside of the home may be vulnerable to unwelcome visitors, from thieves to wild animals.
• Expenses – A door that no longer fits seamlessly with the jamb could be letting in a lot of outside air. This makes your HVAC system less efficient, resulting in both a less comfortable interior and higher energy bills.
• Stability – When a door isn’t in good condition, it can affect more than just the door itself. Moisture intruding from the seams can expand the joints around the door, leading to water damage in the wall and subsequent mold growth. Doors that scrape against the frame can chip away paint or force the trim into undesirable slants that wrest them loose over time.

Even if your door is still “technically” functional in that it opens and closes, you’ve got a lot to gain by making sure it’s well cared for.