How to Pick the Right Front Door for Your House

The front door is often one of the first things people see when they look at your home. It makes a statement and plays a significant role in any home’s curb appeal. There are many options when it comes to picking a front door, from style and color to materials and custom features. It’s essential to choose the door that suits your needs and preferences. 

NOVA Exteriors is happy to help you make the proper selection for your home from our comprehensive options. We also provide free in-home estimates and top-of-the-line door installation services in Alexandria that our competitors can’t beat. 

Let us break down the things you should consider when you choose a new front door so you can start shopping. We’ll also cover what kind of materials you should look for in a front door and what you can expect during your installation.

Things to Keep in Mind When Shopping for a New Door

Whether you’re choosing your front door as you build your home or upgrading your door during a round of home improvements, it’s important to take the time to figure out what you’re looking for from your entry doors. The front door makes your home’s first impression. Make sure that you choose the door that matches your style and comes with the features that best fit your needs.

Design Style

Your home’s design can be as traditional or unique as yours. When you select a door, you’ll want to align it with your preferences as well as the general look of your home. NOVA Exteriors offers a wide range of styles and custom door installations, including custom builds, sliding doors, and more. We’ll happily help you pick out your dream door and have it installed in your home in no time. 

Materials

Manufacturers produce front doors with various materials, most commonly fiberglass, wood, steel, and aluminum. When choosing the material you want for your door, it’s essential to consider the pros and cons of each type. Fiberglass is usually the go-to option for shoppers seeking durability and budget-friendly front doors.

Which Way Should Your Door Open?

Most front doors open into the home as a traditional way of welcoming you and your guests inside. However, it’s becoming increasingly common to select a front door that swings out from your home. Having your door open outwardly can prevent it from collapsing into your home during inclement weather events such as harsh storms or hurricanes.

Front Door Locks

You’ll always want to select a deadbolt to maximize the security of your entryway. Deadbolts add a layer of safety to your front door as they make it much more difficult for an intruder to break into your home. NOVA Exteriors can help you select locks that go with any door you choose and keep you feeling safe.

Warranties

NOVA Exteriors is proud to offer a range of warranties for any purchases made with us. Our warranties start at ten years and extend to a lifetime, depending on the product you’ve selected.

Online Research

It’s a good idea to spend some time shopping around for your front door, both online and in person. Researching front doors online can help you get an idea of what you need, and seeing your options in person will give you a first-hand look at what your door will look and feel like once we install it.

Energy Efficiency

Your front door is an opening in your home. How well it is insulated will have an impact on your utility bills year-round. Generally, fiberglass and steel options provide the best insulation for your money. NOVA Exteriors also installs your door with a perfect fit and a tight seal to prevent heat or air from escaping through tiny openings in your entryway.

Installation

You can select a pre-hung door system that includes the frame, hinges, knobs, and all the trimmings. These kinds of doors typically fit into the openings built for your home. We also offer slab door installation, which includes only the door without any extras. Slab doors are a good option if you have a custom build for your entryway.

Types of Front Door

Manufacturers primarily use four materials when building front doors: fiberglass, steel, wood, and aluminum. Each option has pros and cons worth considering before you select your front door.

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are highly durable and low maintenance, making them an excellent option for front doors that aren’t covered. This type of door also usually comes with an extended warranty. Some extended warranties last for the entire duration that you own your home. Shoppers will also find that fiberglass doors are relatively affordable, especially when compared to high-end wood or aluminum alternatives. 

You can easily paint or stain fiberglass doors if you decide to alter your home’s exterior or interior. The primary drawback with fiberglass doors is that they may break under sudden collisions.

Steel

If you’re looking for a door that boasts top-notch security features, then you can’t go wrong with steel. Steel is significantly stronger than other popular materials that typically make up front doors, and they are reasonably easy to repair. Steel is also the most budget-friendly option. 

You can easily paint your steel doors—in fact, you should ensure the whole door is covered to avoid rust. Entries made with steel require less maintenance than traditional wood options but will need a little more tending than fiberglass.

Wood

The most traditional front doors consist of carved wood. These kinds of doors are highly customizable and can create a beautiful, stylized vision for your home. However, custom wooden doors can become expensive very quickly, and they require more frequent maintenance. If your front door is exposed and you choose to go with wood, you’ll also want to select a cover or storm door to protect the wood from weather that could age it quickly.

Aluminum

Aluminum doors are custom-built and made of metal, similar to steel options. These doors come in a variety of colors and styles. The finish on an aluminum door consists of baked-on enamel, which provides durability and prevents your metal door from rusting. However, because aluminum doors are custom-built, they’re also the most expensive option on the market.

What to Expect During Your Front Door Installation

NOVA Exteriors offers a free in-home estimate for your door installation and other home services. We will examine your entryway during this visit and discuss which doors will work best for your project while tailoring your door to your preferences. We’ll also ensure that the door you choose has all of the features you need for your home. 

We’ll then deliver your estimate along with a plan and a timeline for the installation process. This visit is a no-pressure situation. If you decide to hire NOVA Exteriors for your home improvement project, you can rest assured that we’ll install your door with efficiency and effectiveness. Our team has over 50 years of combined experience in the metropolitan area surrounding Alexandria. 

Once you approve of your customized proposal, our skilled team of contractors will arrive at your door and get to work on your project on your timeline. We treat every job as if the project we’re working on is our own. The NOVA Exteriors team works hard to provide a hassle-free experience for each of our clients. 

If you select a pre-hung door system, our team will arrive and fit it into your entryway, installing it with all of the necessary trimmings and making sure to seal it with precision and care. We’ll check the fit with a slab door and make any changes required to ensure that your installation goes smoothly and your door fits perfectly in your home. 

After your installation, NOVA Exteriors is happy to perform maintenance services on any products that you’ve hired us to install. Depending on the door that you select, your maintenance needs may vary. Keep an eye on your door for any damages or changes that may occur, making repairs necessary. Our warranties cover our workmanship, so we’ll happily replace whatever is needed if there is a flaw with your door installation.

Get Your Free In-Home Estimate with NOVA Exteriors

Now that you know how to choose the best front door for your home, it’s time to call NOVA Exteriors. We are proud to offer free in-home estimates, during which we’ll take a look at your project and discuss your budget, vision, and timeline, no strings attached. 

Give us a call at (703) 386-7949 or fill out this form to get in contact with our team of professional contractors. You can also send us an email at info@novaexteriors.com, and our customer service team will be happy to answer any questions you may have. 

Are you ready to upgrade your home’s front door? Don’t wait any longer! NOVA Exteriors offers a wide selection of options, and our skilled team is prepared to get your new front door installed quickly and efficiently.

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