Etobicoke Carpentry Services: Choosing an Exterior Door

As any good carpenter in Etobicoke will tell you, choosing the right exterior door is essential to your safety and property value. Front doors are especially important since they’re one of the first things people see from the curb. With this in mind, what kind of door is right for your home?

There are a few options, each with different cosmetic offerings, safety concerns and price ranges. To find the perfect fit, you’ll need to dive deep into the pros and cons.

Stay Traditional With a Wood Door

Wooden doors have been around for thousands of years, which means today’s designs are tried, true and perfected. As far as finishes go, you can paint a wood door whatever colour you like, apply a stain to enhance the grain or seal it to let the natural beauty shine. One thing you can’t do is leave it without some sort of protection, as wood will swell or warp as it absorbs moisture. That means difficulty closing the door and the risk of air getting through minute gaps between the frame. Additionally, you’ll need to reapply your paint, varnish or seal regularly, as all of these wear away over time.

The good news is, wood doors offer great security–if you get a solid core. While solid cores are more expensive than hollow doors, they’re integral to keeping intruders at bay, as they can take a beating. On the other hand, hollow doors are more fragile and can be kicked through.

Save Money With a Steel Door

Steel is an excellent alternative if you value security but don’t have the money for a solid wood door. Due to steel’s incredible durability, doors made with this material are hard to break down even without a solid core. Additionally, you don’t have to worry about maintenance with steel since it’s not absorbent. While rust is an issue, you can easily clean it off and paint your door to prevent further problems.

Steel doors also offer excellent insulation, which means better energy efficiency. You don’t have to worry about hot air leaking out during the winter or warm air sneaking in during the summer. Instead, you can keep your home comfortable and even save money since you won’t have to run your AC as much.

Speaking of cost, steel doors are one of the most affordable options, which means you can get fantastic value even if you’re on a budget. Since they can last more than 30 years, you’re getting your money’s worth.

Get the Best Deal With a Fiberglass Door

As the most modern material on this list, fibreglass offers a lot for an exterior door. For one, it’s incredibly strong but still provides flexibility. It’s also low-maintenance and doesn’t require sealing or paint. When it gets dirty, all you have to do is wipe it down, and it looks as good as new.

One downside is that a fibreglass door isn’t as secure as one made of steel or wood. While it’s by no means flimsy, it doesn’t hold up to break-ins as well as these other materials.

Fibreglass options may also be more expensive than wood and are almost always pricier than steel. Despite the price tag, they tend to depreciate, which means they won’t add as much to your property value.

However, many homeowners see this as a trade-off since fibreglass doors are more insulated than other types. That means saving money on energy bills, and there are practically no maintenance costs.

When you replace your exterior doors, don’t forget to hire professionals for installation. Here at Handyman Connection, we can help out on any project, including remodelling. To find out more about our installation and repair services in Etobicoke, contact us online or give us a call.