Maria and Duncan of Newman Windows and Doors are back with episode three of Stay glassyAnd this time they nerve one of the most critical – and mostly overlooked – courses of your house: the entrance door.
Before you spend thousands of dollars on something that can crack, curves or invite large birds (or worse) in your living room, then read on.
As Duncan says: “Would you spend $ 5,000 on an access door that will curve, crack and scream maintenance?” Precisely.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QLBXVTFTL3S
Your access door does more than ‘welcome’
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Your front door is more than just a plate with material – it is the first impression of your house, a crucial piece of your appearance and a large player in the safety and energy efficiency of your house. “It is the entrance to your castle,” Maria jokes, but the truth behind the humor is that your door has to keep it again against weather, invaders and time.
Unfortunately, many homeowners still opt for access doors based on aesthetics alone, not aware of the long -term costs. “What you don’t know can cost you,” warns Duncan. That beautiful wooden door? It can secretly sabotage your energy bills, endanger your house and be more maintenance than a vintage convertible.
Fiber optic versus wood: what you really need to know
Let’s break it down.
Fiber optic doors have quietly taken over the market and not for nothing. They are more energy efficient than traditional wood and cracks, swelling, swelling, curves or are not tilted on termites.
“People are tired of the wood,” says Duncan. “It curves, it cracks, termites love to have lunch, and it is deteriorated by the weather.”
Fiber optic doors also win when adjusting.
With modern production they can simulate almost any wood -grain, accept a variety of stains or are painted in every conceivable color. Maria points out: “You can stain a large number of different colors. You can have different grains. This one happens to be a vertical grain -buried FIR, but there are many to choose from.” In short, they are beautiful and practical.
So what is the disadvantage? Price … sometimes.
Why fiber optic may be forever
Fiber optic can be more expensive in advance, although it often pays itself for reduced maintenance and energy savings. That said, wooden doors are not necessarily cheaper. High -quality wooden doors can even match or exceed the price of fiber optic, especially if you take maintenance into account.
Speaking of maintenance, the small print on the warranty of the wooden door is where it becomes alarming. “If it is not installed and finished, dyed or sealed within 24 hours, there is no guarantee,” Duncan reveals.
Let that sink. You have hardly reached the plastic exit and the manufacturer has already washed his hands of responsibility.
Pre-Hong vs. Plate: Do not be hung up
Another decision point that stumbles homeowners? Choose between a front hanging door and a platform door.
With Fiberglass there is no competition: “If you go fiber, you go forehead,” says Duncan. Pre-hunger doors are supplied with the frame and hinges already installed, making a good fit and easier installation.
Although record doors may sound like saving money, they do not work with fiber optics because of the stiffness of the material. Wood can be planned or chiseled on the spot, while fiber optic is not possible. So, unless you are a fan of headache for home improvement, pre-hung is the best choice.
Safety first: because even Big Bird can break in
Entry doors are about more than just appearance and insulation. Security issues.
And cheap doors? They fold like a grass chair. As Savvy shows in a video demonstration during the “Safety with Savvy” segment, an intruder can use an poorly made hollow-core door with shocking convenience.
“Even Big Bird can open it,” Duncan jokes, but the implications are serious.
To prevent that kind of vulnerability, search for solid core doors, multi-point locking systems and professional installation with the help of long screws that anchor the door frame in the studs. That way your front door is not just a beautiful sight – it is a reliable guard dog.
Last thoughts: Set it and forget it
Let’s be honest all of the charm of a hand-cut wooden door, especially if you are looking for that old, European atmosphere. But most houses just don’t have the conditions for justifying it.
As Duncan explains: “If you have an overhang of 12 feet, there are no sun exposure, no moisture and termites from your neighborhood-sure, go wood.” Fiberglass is the smarter choice for everyone.
It’s stronger. It’s safer. It is more energy efficient. And thanks to today’s design options you don’t have to sacrifice looks to get performance. You can now even become brutal with a red door and paint it later. “What color you want – Corvette,” adds Maria with a grin.
So the next time you notice that you are swimming about a classic wooden access door, ask yourself: is it worth maintenance, the energy loss and the risk? Or do you prefer a door that is just as stylish and is very smarter?
Your turn: What is your door personality?
Are you Team Wood of Team Fiberglass? Stay informed for the next one Stay glassyWhere the team addresses the questions that every homeowner must ask before hiring a home improvement seller. Until then, stay stylish and keep that front door fantastic.
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