Your front door is crucial in making a good first impression. It is a central architectural element that greets guests and secures your home, so it is critical to keep it in good condition at all times. When your front door compromises your security, home comfort, or energy efficiency, it is time to replace it. Making the proactive decision to replace your front door can provide you with a more comfortable and stylish living environment while also saving you a significant amount of money in the long run.
- Energy Bill Drafts and Spikes
If you have noticed an unexpected increase in your energy bill, your entry door could be to blame. When closed, exterior doors are designed to seal, preventing warm or cold air from entering or exiting your home. Front doors must be weatherproofed, and if they are not, it can be a problem.
Front door seals can shrink and crack as they age, allowing unwanted draughts in. If you have developed the habit of lining the bottom of your front door with a towel or blanket, chances are the seal is broken. Though the door’s seal can be replaced, it is not a good sign if the seals need to be replaced frequently.
- Physical Cracks and Other Visible Damage
Rust, dents, cracks, holes, and warping wood in your door can all lead to disastrous results. These issues will not only allow a draught and/or precipitation to enter, but they may also make your front door less secure.
Not to mention that physical damage can be unsightly. When the damage is severe enough, a new coat of paint will not help much.
Furthermore, entry doors with moisture damage are more likely to grow mold or harbor insects and germs.
- Problems Opening and Closing It
Your front door should not be difficult to open, close, or lock. Your door sticking and being difficult to use could be due to a variety of factors, including hinge issues and shifted material.
Keep in mind that there are options on the market that are more durable and less prone to shifting, warping, and moisture damage when purchasing a new door. Fiberglass doors, for example, are virtually impervious to the aforementioned issues. So, if you want a new front door without having to deal with the same problems you had with your old one, fiberglass is the way to go.
- Mold, Mildew, and Moisture Damage
If you are experiencing leaks or flooding near your front door when it rains, it is time to replace it. Water damage can result from moisture seeping into your home.
Water damage may necessitate extensive and costly repairs, leaving you wishing you had replaced your entry door sooner. Mold, mildew, and fungi can all grow as a result of constant moisture infiltration.
- You want to improve the security of your home.
If you believe you need to replace your front door to improve the security of your home, now is the time to act.
You can add a lockable door on top of your main front door by purchasing a storm door with its own lockset. Though a storm door can still be broken into, this extra layer of security buys valuable time in the event of a break-in. Furthermore, in some cases, the presence of a secondary door is enough to deter burglars.
