Front entry door


 
LMichaels

LMichaels

TVWBB 2-Star Olympian
Wife and I have come to the point we know we need a new front door installed. (the whole thing). Looking into fiberglass. Currently we have a metal door. Seems like the fiberglass has more pros than cons. Any input/experiences?
 
What aspect is your front door? I ask because if it catches the afternoon sun, I’d advise against a wooden door.

I’ve have a fiberglass door and it provides terrific R value.

I should add, we replaced a wooden door with fiberglass, no regrets at all.
 
While fibreglass is becoming more commonplace for many building products including doors it will never, in my opinion, match the richness of wood. But engineered wood is now allowing for better quality that the slabs of yesteryear could not. It really depends on what you are looking for in terms of appearance, quality and price.

I still design wood doors for my high-end residential projects, but a reliable manufacturer is key to this. I exclusively specify Jeld-Wen. It is great quality product at a decent price. If you like the look of wood, do not rule it out but do your home work.

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professionals.jeld-wen.com professionals.jeld-wen.com
 
It gets afternoon sun mostly in fall/winter when the sun is low in the south. In summer the sun is higher so it doesn't catch it as hard. I prefer to avoid a white door. I think it would stand out like a bad tooth as the main door. Although we do currently have a white storm door. And yes I just had extensive (expensive) flatwork done. Damn $$$$$ flying outta here like it's got wings

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We had a metal front door that warped from the direct sun. Replaced it with a nice fiberglass door about 15 years ago. It's a woodgrain door, but I'll be dipped if you could tell it wasn't wood until you stuck your eyeball on it.

It has held up perfectly; no issues. In fact it still looks brand new.

If you want, I will get a picture of it tonight when I'm back home.
 
The thing with wood doors is they cost more and people want them to be seen.
So they use a full view fixed glass storm door. Problem with them is they don't vent like a screen door.
If your wooden door takes the brunt of the afternoon sun the air between the two gets super heated and bakes the wood door.
Fiberglass is the way to go and like KE Quist said you have a hard time telling a difference.

Jeld-Win is the builders choice for new homes and I installed them on the majority of houses I built.
Anderson, Pella make excellent doors but you pay for the name.
Mastercraft from Menards are hit or miss. They make them down the road from me in Plano, but on average I returned or refused 25% of they're doors because of quality control.
 
Actually priced a Therma Tru but holy smoke. $3k?! Gonna look for something a little less "heady" LOL
 
I lived in NKY so winter and hot muggy summers, on one home I had a metal door that was wood grain stained by a artist it faked people out when they knocked on our door but it was a maintence hog.
Next house went with a fiberglass unit with two side lights it was good that you could ain't or stain the surface ,and it held up well on the inside I stained it to match our trim color on the outside I painted it and in 19 years only one touch up.grest R valve handle partial sun very well .
Large selection of window choices to fit almost anyone's tastes20190611_113445.jpg
 
Looks really nice. I will be installing a new storm door as well. Plus I want to get one of those electronic locks
 
Sounds good Larry, with the side lights it looks funny with a middle fir Strom door ,so opted not to install plus that side got very little direct wind.
 
LMichaels said:
Yeah yours looks REALLY nice. What brand is it?
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Larry that was 1999 install and I have slept since then, but I think it was either Stanley, Anderson. I got it and the wood widows,doors and popular trim from the Pilot Lumber in Alexandira KY. But now there is so many manufactors it is a tuff choice.
 
LMichaels said:
Plus I want to get one of those electronic locks
Click to expand...
Check the specs on that. The ones I've installed have the keypad where the deadbolt is.
That's directly center of where the storm door handle is and most times they hit, because the keypad is thicker then the stock deadbolt.
You have 2 1/2" - 3" of play between the two faces of doors. Add up the handles and see if they are less.
Other option with a new storm is the installer may be able to raise or lower the handle depending on the door manufacture, or change the swing if feasible.
 
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I never put a electric door lock on as I never used the entrance very much, mostly just to wash it. I entered through garage. All locks keyed the same helps also.
 
Years ago I was a Realtor for many years. (before I totally "burned out") and I bought a key safe with my Realtor discount code. I bolted that to the door jamb. None of us ever carried keys to the house. Especially when I had a house full of kids. They all learned the combination and that was that. But, I am tired of that box in my door jamb now and due to the crappy drunken builder that built my house the front door is binding so bad it's not useable so it's time. But like many folks we do use the garage a lot
 
Well, I FINALLY remembered to take pictures of my front door. It might be too late to help at this point, but here they are regardless:

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I like it. Still waiting on Home Depot. Tried to contact another contractor as well. Gave him all my info, asked him to give me a call. That was Monday. As of now 0 zip nada
 
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