Sun Mountain Blog

Choosing an Exterior Door

You probably don’t give too much thought to exterior doors…that is, until you need a new one.  If you need a new front door for your home, you’re going to find that there are a lot of things to consider when choosing the perfect door.  You don’t want to put just any old thing up there; this is the entrance to your home.  It’s one of the first things people will notice when they come over, and you want it to be nice.  More importantly, however, you want to have a strong door that will provide security as well.  Here’s what you need to think about when choosing a new exterior door:

Cost

There is a wide price range when it comes to exterior doors.  A simple door can cost you as little as $50 (not including installation), while higher quality doors with lots of detail can run into the thousands.  Get an idea of what you can afford before you go shopping so you can narrow down your choices.

Material

This is a really important consideration when shopping for exterior doors.  There are basically three types of material to choose from: wood, steel, or fiberglass.  There are pros and cons to each, and it will really come down to personal preference when making your selection.  Wood doors can be very beautiful, have a more natural look, and are known for being very strong, but they can warp and bow over time.  Steel doors are prized for their strength and affordability, but they are more prone to dents, scratches, and rust.  Finally, fiberglass doors are low maintenance and fairly affordable, but they may crack.

Style

Style is another important factor when choosing your door.  Do you want something plain or something more elaborate and detailed?  Do you want panels or a small window at the top?  What about frosted glass or stain if you’re going with a wood door?  There are a lot of options here, and again it comes down to personal preference.  It might be a good idea to view your home as a whole from the curb to help decide which style will best fit in with your home and its unique characteristics.