3 Things You Could be Overlooking with Your Entry Doors November 4, 2015 Home-improvement projects can cover a wide range of topics. Many people focus on renovating the kitchen, bathroom, improving the outdoor living space, and maybe even replacing old, outdated windows. One major home improvement project that tends to be overlooked is with the entry doors. This can include sliding glass doors, front doors, side doors, and even garage doors. Here are three things you might be overlooking with regard to entry doors that may indicate it’s time to replace them as well. 1. A loose fit. If you close the back door when heading out to your car to leave for the day, does it close firmly? Does it require you to pull on it to make sure it latches and locks properly? If the door closes as easily as many interior doors in your house do, it’s not as secure as you might think. An entry door should be sealed tight, meaning there is no wiggle room with it. 2. Poor insulation. 40 percent of your home’s heat during the winter is going to escape through the entry doors and windows. Your entry doors can leave a lot of room for drafts. You might get a draft dodger or use weather stripping, but if the door is 20 years old or older, it’s time to consider a new, much more energy efficient entry door. 3. Durability. A lightweight entry door can pose a certain risk with regard to security. It doesn’t matter how strong the hardware on that door happens to be if the door itself is light weight and not durable. When you begin looking at the condition, quality, and age of your entry doors you might realize it’s time to consider replacing them. Yes, this can be a significant investment as some front doors can cost a several thousand dollars by themselves. However, not only can this help to improve the curb appeal of your house, it can have a direct impact on security and energy efficiency.
