A front door provides many benefits to a home. It needs to be beautiful enough to enhance curb appeal and prevent conditioned air from escaping the house, yet sturdy enough to protect against intruders.
New front doors are available in a variety of styles and materials. Some of the most popular include: wood, fiberglass and steel.
Curb Appeal
The right curb appeal can make a home feel welcoming to guests and prospective buyers alike. First impressions are key in real estate, and even a beautiful interior can be marred by an unattractive exterior or a front porch that feels neglected.
Stylish, attractive doors can help boost curb appeal by adding character and creating a focal point in the entryway. Double doors create a grand entrance, and French doors with glass panels allow plenty of light. Battened and ledged doors offer rustic charm, and fiberglass options are more durable and low-maintenance than wood.
Upgrading door hardware, such as a decorative lockset or wall-mounted mailbox, also adds to your curb appeal. Oiled-bronze finishes suit traditional homes, while brushed nickel is ideal for contemporary designs. Ornamental trees and shrubs in bright colors can give your yard a pop of color, and planters with seasonal wreathes are budget-friendly and easy to swap out as the seasons change.
Security
The right front door system not only enhances your home’s aesthetic value; it also provides superior security. In fact, burglars are more likely to target homes that don’t have a secure entryway. It only takes a few kicks to break down an un-secured door and, as any homeowner knows, it’s easy enough to pick most basic locks.
In the right hands, your exterior doors can be a major deterrent against potential burglaries and severe weather damage. However, the right doors must be paired with other protective measures, such as smart locks and security gates.
Fiberglass, steel, and impact doors are all tough by themselves, but they can be boosted by other features to provide the protection you want in your Kissimmee FL home. Your home consultant can advise you on the best options for your home.
Energy Efficiency
The front door plays a critical role in energy efficiency. Those that lack adequate insulation allow conditioned air to escape, increasing the workload on your HVAC system and raising your utility bills. Energy-efficient doors prevent this from happening, making them an excellent investment.
The main factors to consider when choosing an energy efficient front door include thermal insulating properties and resistance to water infiltration. Fiberglass is one of the best options as it does not conduct heat, while polyurethane cores further reduce energy loss. They also combat sweltering Florida summers by minimizing indoor temperatures, thereby reducing your cooling costs.
Another factor to consider is whether your front door features glass, side lites or a transom. Energy-efficient doors often use double or triple pane glass with a low-emissivity coating. This helps reduce heat transfer while blocking harmful UV rays. It also minimizes drafts and maintains a comfortable indoor temperature, lowering your utility bills. In addition, energy-efficient doors contribute to a greener environment by reducing the carbon footprint associated with electricity generation.
Maintenance
Entry doors are a home’s focal point and must work to keep out unwanted elements, while maintaining a high level of security. Typically, they’re made from sturdier materials than interior doors, and their design often sets the tone for the rest of the house’s aesthetic.
Whether they’re wood, steel, fiberglass or something in between, these doors need routine cleaning and maintenance to stay in good condition. In general, they should be washed with a combination of warm water and diluted dish soap. If your steel door is within 50 miles of a saltwater body, you should wash it twice a month to avoid the effects of rust.
Additionally, door hinges require lubrication to prevent them from sticking and pulling during daily use. You can apply a light coat of lithium grease or silicone spray to lubricate the hinges once every year. Finally, a fresh coat of paint or stain is essential to keeping your front door looking its best.