It is sometimes tough to pick the right front door to install in your home. You have to choose one that looks inviting to guests but, at the same time, discouraging to burglars. Most of all, you need to find one that complements the architectural style of your home. Moreover, front doors have to be durable enough to withstand intense heat or cold, strong winds, and, if you leave near the sea, damaging ocean salt.
A few decades back, most homeowners’ only option was to have wood front doors installed. Today, people can now choose among traditional wood front doors, fiberglass doors, and metal or steel doors. These three most common types of doors vary according to durability and average lifespan.
For so many decades, most homeowners used to prefer wood doors over the other two types. Some people still do, by the way, because wood doors provide excellent insulation.
Most front doors, including the wood ones, conform to one of the following styles. The usual kind is the single acting doors which are hinged on one side and hence open in only one direction. Then there are the bi-folded doors which have two panels that fold in the middle and move to one direction. This is appropriate if you have a wide space for a front door. The third style is that of the sliding door which is again popular but more with glass doors.
The main thing to be cognizant of while selecting wood doors is that they should be in perfect blend with the overall look of your home. The other thing is that your door is the first thing that a visitor notices. Therefore, it should cast a good impression on your visitors. For some people, the door is a form of style statement of the lifestyle of those living in the house.
There are some facts about wood front doors that you should know. They are prone to damage with extreme weather conditions such as high temperatures, rain, frost and humidity. They are also susceptible to termite attacks, cracks and warps. Though the wood doors available now days are of better quality, yet they generally require a greater degree of maintenance over the years as compared to doors made from other materials such as fiberglass and steel. These days, you find that wood doors have steel interiors. Even fiberglass doors come with a wood finish.
High quality fiberglass entrance doors may cost higher than conventional wooden doors or steel doors, but their numerous advantages far outweigh the monetary amount that you have to pay to have them installed in your home. Consider your fiberglass door a wise and priceless investment which you get to thoroughly enjoy for many years to come.