Exterior Doors: The Easy Way Out

A home's entry door is one of the first things people notice about a house. Its color, style, and condition are a big part of how a property looks from the outside. A stylish, well-maintained exterior door can set a house apart from those around it.

Functionality
An exterior door has the tough job of keeping the outside out and the inside in. It is regularly pelted by precipitation, baked in harsh sun, and dusted by wind and dirt. Since the entry door is the first door visitors use in a home, it's a good idea to make sure it works as it should. These exterior doors are exposed to more harsh conditions than their interior brethren.

If an entry door is made of wood, it is likely to swell, shrink, and bow over time. This will cause the door to stick at times, and at other times leave room for a draft. The best way to prevent this is to make sure that your door is properly sealed before it is installed. If bowing is already present, a good storm door can eliminate drafts (if installing a storm door, be careful to make sure that it hinges on the same side as the existing door). A door that sticks can be shaved and sanded, then resealed. A fiberglass door won't have the same problems as a wooden one. High end fiberglass doors require very little maintenance, and do a good job recreating the look and feel of a wood door, though they are a bit more expensive.

Appearance
Both wood and fiberglass entry doors will need to be touched up every few years to keep them looking their best. If the door is exposed to a lot of direct sunlight, make sure that you use a paint or finish that is formulated to absorb ultra violet light. This will help the color last longer. If a wood exterior door is exposed to a lot of rain and moisture, plan on resealing it on all surfaces (including top and bottom) with high quality paint or varnish. Holes made by screws or nails can also be sealed.

Exterior Door Options
If you're thinking about replacing your current exterior door, there are a few different options to consider. The wood door is, of course, the most common and most traditional. They require a fair amount of care, but a well maintained one can be both beautiful and long lasting. Fiberglass doors, though more expensive than their counterparts, are becoming increasingly popular. They provide excellent insulation and very little upkeep. Steel doors are easy to maintain and are quite cost-effective. They also give a level of security that is unmatched, and are often fire-rated.

Additional Notes

+ The color of your exterior door is a statement about the house itself. It should be considered, though, that lighter colors hold up better over time and will therefore require less upkeep.

+ To ensure a proper welcome, it's a good idea to regularly check both the outside lights and the doorbell to make sure they are working properly.

+ Check your doormat. This is an item that's designed to take a lot of abuse, and after a while it will show. A modest investment at most, it can improve the outside of your house, as well as keeping the inside track free. Besides, you just did all that work on the door.