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Solid Core Versus Hollow Core
Exterior doors may be solid or hollow core, and this can make a difference in security and energy use for your home. Solid core doors are made from a solid piece of material, and there is no hollow inside the door. Hollow core doors have a hollow space in the middle, and this space may be filled with foam or another insulation type, for better energy savings. If you want the highest level of security, a solid core door is heavier and may be harder to break down, making it much more secure.
Exterior Door Design
Exterior doors may be available with one of three designs, and these are flush, paneled, or with glass inserts. This choice will affect the way your exterior door looks, and whether any natural light can enter through the door. Flush refers to a door which has a smooth surface because it is covered with a layer of thin veneer or other material. Paneled exterior doors have panels inset into the door, and these allow for expansion and contraction due to temperature changes. Glass inserts can be chosen to allow light through the door, and to have the ability to see out. Glass inserts may come in different quantities, from one insert to several.
Exterior Door Materials And Options
Many materials can be used in exterior doors. These include steel, wood, fiberglass, and others. Glass inserts, decorative panels, and other accessories can be used to give your exterior door a unique and appealing look and feel. Side glass windows can be installed to give your doorway plenty of light and a fantastic and elegant look. When it comes to the right exterior door, you have so many options available that it will amaze you.
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Wood Doors- Wood is the most popular material choice when it comes to exterior doors, and can include a variety of species. Solid wood doors are very strong, and provide great security. These doors do require a fair amount of maintenance though. In high moisture areas the wood can bend and warm due to the moisture level.
Steel Doors- Steel doors are well known for excellent security and
strength, and they do not require as much upkeep or maintenance as wooden doors may. unless they are painted. The finish on steel doors can mimic wood or other popular materials, and these doors can be very appealing and are available in many colors. One downside is that steel doors have a tendency to dent easily, but this can be repaired just like an automobile dent. A metal frame is needed to install an exterior steel door, and these doors are at a disadvantage when it comes to strong direct sunlight.
Fiberglass Doors- Fiberglass exterior doors have several benefits. These doors will not warp because of high humidity conditions, plus they resist any bowing or warping. These doors are also built to be impact resistant, so they are not easily dented, and they require much less maintenance than other materials and door types. Fiberglass doors can be paneled or flush, depending on individual tastes and preferences.
Aluminum Doors- Aluminum doors are almost always custom made, and these doors have the advantage of being very light. The downside is that these doors can be dented very easily. Aluminum does not rust, and a wood frame can be used, so there is no need for a special frame and extra expense. These doors may not be as secure as some other types, because aluminum is not as strong as steel or wood.
Sliding Doors- Sliding exterior doors are usually used on the side or back of your home, to open onto the yard or a patio or deck. These normally consist of two sliding panels of glass, and either one or both doors may slide and overlap.
French Doors- French doors can be either the sliding or swinging type. These doors usually include panes of glass in decorative designs, and have a high level of appeal.
Pre-hung Doors Versus Custom Built Doors
Exterior and interior doors are available as either a pre-hung door or a custom door. Pre-hung doors are available in a wide range of sizes and styles, and are already hung in the door frame. You install the entire frame, and this is a much easier and shorter process than hanging a custom door. Custom built doors may be required if you have an unusual size or need specific things that are not available in pre-hung versions. You will not find an extremely expensive hand carved ebony wood door available in the pre-hung version, because demand for this door would be extremely low due to the high cost. There are a large number of pre-hung exterior doors you can choose from though, and these include woods like mahogany, cherry, and maple among others. Pre-hung doors usually already have the holes for the lockset drilled out, and the door jamb fitted.
Right Or Left Handed Doors
A door can be classified as a right or left handed door, and whether you order a custom door or choose an exterior door from stock, you should ensure that you know which way the door swings. A left handed door will have the handle on the left when it swings towards you, while a right handed door will swing towards you with the door handle on the right of the door.
Exterior Door Purchase And Installation Tips -
Make sure that you measure, and that you know the exact measurements for the door you need. The biggest mistake when purchasing a door is getting the wrong size. Do not estimate, or get an approximate size, because there may be gaps and other fit problems that can make your door less efficient. -
Weather-stripping added around your exterior doors can help cut your energy use substantially, and will keep your home warmer in the winter and cooler in the summer. Weather stripping prevents air in your home from leaving, and keeps wind and outside air from coming in. -
Do not forget shims. Shims will make sure that your door is perfectly straight and aligned properly. If this step is not taken, your door may pull away or fit too loosely, making it less secure. Gaps may also occur after the door is installed if it is not done correctly. -
Make sure to allow some room underneath the door. You do not want the door to scrape the floor every time it is opened, so make sure to allow for this clearance room when you determine the door size you will need. -
If you want an exterior door with glass insets, look at double paned insets. These have much better insulation, so they are more energy efficient than single pane glass inserts. With the high cost of home heating and cooling bills, double paned glass inserts can really give you savings. -
For high security, consider exterior doors which can be used with a deadbolt lock. Most doors can accommodate a deadbolt, but it is a good idea to make sure before you buy. Normal door handle lock sets are not as secure as deadbolt lock sets, because they are much easier to pick or force open. -
Glass side panels can be very appealing, but they may pose a serious security risk. Because these glass panels fit beside the door, they do not allow for a secure door installation. There are some things you can do to fix this issue, using special strips which can help increase the security, making it harder to break open the exterior door.
Exterior doors can add a lot to your home, and a well chosen door can add to your home value and beauty. Measure carefully, choose the right door for your home, personal tastes, and security needs, and make sure that the door is installed properly. This will prevent problems later on, and proper operation of the door will be assured.
How to Get An Elegant Entry In Your Home
The entry to your home is one of the most visible areas, and it will be the first thing that visitors and guests see when they come to your home. An elegant entry can give your home a whole new look and appeal, and can help increase your property security as well. There are many types of entry door styles and designs, plus endless accessories that can be used with these doors. This can allow you to design your entry the way you want. Doors are available in solid or glass inset types, and are made from many different materials. The lockset, handles, and other hardware can also be a way to make your entry elegant.
The main part of your entry will be your entry way door. These doors may be purchased in standard sizes right from the store or you can custom order a unique door built just for your home. Custom doors are more expensive to buy, because they are built to your specific sizes and designs. The door you choose may be unfinished, or it may be in a stage of the finishing process. They can be primed, stained, painted, varnished, or polished. Custom ordering will give you more choices when it comes to rare or exotic materials, such as rare woods and metals. You can also have the door created to fit odd sizes or unusually big or small door openings.
The material you choose for your new front entrance door is important for more than just looks. The material will make a difference in safety, security, price, and privacy as well. The main choices when it comes to entry doors are wood, glass, composite materials like Medium Density Fiberboard, and steel. Each of these materials has pros and cons, and may or may not be right for you. They each offer unique looks and designs which may or may not be right with the architecture of your home. This is an important factor, because for an elegant entry the door and accessories must fit in with the home architecture. A modern home may not look right with a
victorian glass inset door, and a tudor home may not look perfect with a steel entry door that is obviously solid but not very elegant.
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Wood doors have a natural appeal and beauty that is hard to beat. The wood grain and luster can add elegance and style to your entryway and give it a fabulous look. Wood is durable and strong, and is commonly used for entry doors. There are many different types of wood you can use, from common wood like cherry or maple to exotics like bloodwood and cocobola. Standard doors come in several common woods, but if you are looking for an exotic door that is one of a kind, some of the
 exotic woods can help. For this you will need to custom order your door. If you choose a highly exotic wood, it may be necessary to hire a craftsman to build and install the door if you can not find an entry door manufacturer that can provide the wood or door you desire. Wood is the middle level when it comes to entry doors. Wood is stronger than glass or composite materials, so it provides more security, but it is not as strong as steel. Wood doors can be hollow or solid, and the solid door is the best option if you are worried about security in your home, because the solid construction makes it stronger. Wooden doors can come with glass windows and inserts or not, depending on what you are looking for.
The steel entry door is the best choice if you are concerned about safety and security. These doors do not offer the natural beauty of wood, and they may or may not be more expensive depending on the one you choose, but they offer the highest level of strength and security. This does not mean that you can not use these doors and still have an elegant entry though. These are the doors that can keep out even the most insistent burglar most of the time, and will protect your family and safety. Steel doors may come already painted, so that there is no need to go the extra step. When you combine high quality and security locks along with the steel entry door you can get a great look and appeal plus all the safety and security you want. These doors can be embossed with a wood pattern, and then finished so that they resemble wood, but it is not quite the same.
Glass doors can add a very elegant entry to your home, but these doors have a couple of disadvantages. The first is privacy, so if you are going to install a glass door you need to consider how to protect your privacy, whether you use curtains, blinds, or some other method. The second disadvantage of glass doors is that they are not very secure. Glass can be easily broken, so these doors do not have high security. If you want the look of glass but with more security, you can try a solid wood door with some glass inserts. The more glass there is in the door, the lower the home security factor is for that door. Glass doors can range from reasonable to extravagantly expensive, depending on the type of glass, the manufacturer, the design, and other factors.
Composite doors are the most economical choice, but there are many disadvantages with these doors. They are not very strong or secure, unlike steel or wood doors, they will not last as long either. The only advantage that this door type has is the low price. The locksets and door handles you choose can also affect your safety and security, and the finished appeal of your entry way. Choose a high security mortise lockset, and make sure you have a traditional lock and a deadbolt lock for the highest security possible. Accessories can also help spruce up your entryway and make it more elegant. Sidelights and a transom can add a fabulous look to your front door and entry that is timeless and beautiful.
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