How Much Should You Spend on a New Front Door? July 12, 2017 The question about cost is one of the primary reasons people never consider replacement windows or doors as often as they should. The average life expectancy for windows in the home is between 10 to 15 years. The average life expectancy for an entry door is between 20 and 30 years. In the Greater Toronto Area, with the harsh winters we have, those exterior doors might not last that long, depending on just how brutal the winter season is and how much use they get. People try to avoid the topic of cost with salespeople. They should. Imagine stepping into a business that has slick salespeople and telling them your budget right off the bat. They immediately see dollar signs, show you some products that may fit right at the upper edge of your budget, and then direct you to items that are just out of range, but have so many ‘better features.’ When you’re shopping around for a new front door for your home, focus on features first. It’s a good idea to have a budget in mind for how much you’re willing to spend on this, but you don’t need to share that with the salesperson, at least at first. Instead, think about what you’d like to see with this new front door. You want a double wide door? Do you want some type of textured window along the side, on the top, or perhaps comprising the vast portion of the main door itself? What about security? Do you want the door to be a solid hardwood, metal frame, or something else? These are the questions you should ask yourself first. Then begin looking at different types of front doors you might consider using. You will begin to see what the average cost of these doors are and if they fit in with your budget, then go for it. If not, you may need to revise your hopes or expectations about the proper front door you should consider getting. The last thing you should want is to bust your budget and stress about how to pay for it in the future.
