7 Common Mistakes that Affect you from Choosing Your Perfect Door

We all have heard the experts tell us how important it is for a home to have curb appeal. One of the key components to helping your home stand out is by having the perfect door, but how do you know what door will be best? Whether you are building a new home or selecting a replacement door for your existing home, you will want your front entrance to provide a welcoming environment for your guests and reflect your own personal style.

Since doors can be expensive we have assembled a list of the 7 common mistakes generally made so you know what to look out for.

Winnipeg is not the typical environment for doors. We have drastic changes in temperatures and weather conditions that need to be taken into account when selecting a door material. While it is important for your front door to look good and maintain its appearance you need to avoid choosing a material that will compromise your door’s performance and shorten its life. Try thinking about the following while you are making a decision.

• What weather conditions will the door be exposed to?
• Does it get direct sunlight every morning or afternoon?
• Is the doorway covered, or if not, what kind of adverse weather conditions will your entry door be subjected to on a regular basis?

Each material has its own set of pros and cons and should be considered carefully.

Fiberglass: extremely durable, energy efficient and low maintenance. They can look like real wood doors if desired. Usually made from moulded fiberglass skins over wood framing and foam insulation. Can come in any paint or stain color you desire.

Steel—these doors are typically comprised of a steel skin over a wood or steel frame and an inner filling of high-density form. Finishes can be baked-on polyester, a vinyl coating or wood veneer. Although more durable than other materials, steel doors may be susceptible to:

• Heat build-up on doors in direct sunlight can cause the finish to peel and the weather-stripping to breakdown.
• Even more heat can be generated if an aluminum storm door is used in conjunction with the steel door. The finish can peel and the warranty may be voided.
• Both hot and cold can be transferred from the exterior to the interior, making the interior door surface difficult to touch and humidity to increase unless there’s a thermal break.

Choosing the right entry door involves more than just deciding what you want it to look like. You also need to be sure it’s installed properly.

To make sure your beautiful new door is energy tight you will want to make sure that:

• The bottom plates are aligned
• Floors are leveled
• The door is plumb with the wall
• An adjustable threshold system is used to create an airtight seal
• Decorative glass is supported from the inside, not just popped in
• A flashing system is used to prevent water infiltration

An impulse decision for your door can ultimately lead to an overall poor choice. Like any large purchase, the more research you do the better the results will be. While the entry door options can be limitless from material, smooth or raised panel, decorative glass, hardware, sidelites, paint or stain, it is best to take the time to review them thoroughly.

Start with these:

• Make a list of what you like.
• Consider weather and sun exposure.
• Establish a budget.
• Consider if you are going to make your door larger or smaller.
• Visit Humphrey Products Show Room with Anders from Green Brand to see narrow down choices and see in person the best doors in Winnipeg.

Some homeowners want to make the door colour the focal point of their home with bright hues and a bold statement. This is completely up to you as I bright colour can be very eye catching but it can also be just as nice to have a simple elegance by choosing a more traditional shade or stain.

You don’t have to be a designer to appreciate the architectural style of your home. It is important to match your door selection with the architectural detailing of your windows and the proportion of your home.

You may really like a certain design or style but you need to be aware that some designs would be a distraction instead of a complimentary decision. If you are not sure what door designs will match your home try doing some research and looking around your neighbourhood at house similar to yours to see what style door looks nice. Feel Free to ask a professional from Green Brand as well. Anders will be more than happy to send you in the right direction.