| If you live in an older home and your exterior doors | | | | door, and the more elaborately styled that glass |
| are older as well, it's time to think about replacing | | | | is—whether frosted, leaded, or something |
| them, especially your front exterior door. Front doors | | | | else—the higher the cost of the door. Another |
| are the focal point of every home; the eye is drawn | | | | thing to think about in terms of appearance is do you |
| to them and they have a huge impact on the overall | | | | want a flush (smooth) door, or a paneled one. |
| visual impression your house makes. In addition, | | | | Next, give some thought to what type of material |
| today's steel doors and fiberglass doors offer huge | | | | you prefer for your exterior door. As already |
| advantages in energy efficiency; they will help insulate | | | | mentioned, steel doors and fiberglass doors insulate |
| your home much better. That's not all—fiberglass | | | | better and are lower maintenance than those made |
| doors and steel doors also offer greater security. | | | | of wood. Wood becomes damaged over time from |
| If it's been some time since you've looked for new | | | | exposure to the elements and also needs more |
| doors, you will be pleasantly surprised by the | | | | constant upkeep to maintain an attractive |
| enormous range in choices available. Today's entry | | | | appearance. |
| door comes in a choice of materials from the | | | | Measure the opening the door will hang in. You will |
| aforementioned steel and fiberglass doors to more | | | | want to choose a door the same size as the one |
| traditional ones made of wood. You can also order | | | | you're replacing, unless you're remodeling the entire |
| custom doors or premanufactured ones that offer | | | | front entrance. |
| many attractive features such as decorative glass | | | | Do you have storm doors already? If so, your new |
| inserts or internal blinds. You can also shop for an | | | | door won't need to be highly insulated. But if not, |
| Energy Star rated door, which, when used with | | | | then choose one of the better insulated exterior |
| Energy Star rated windows, will help significantly | | | | doors available today, such as an Energy Star rated |
| reduce your home's heating and cooling expenses. | | | | door. If you do, you won't even need storm doors in |
| Also remember, if you choose a steel door or one | | | | terms of insulation. |
| made of fiberglass, it will be virtually maintenance | | | | Finally, remember when shopping for new entry |
| free! | | | | doors to choose good locks to go with them. You |
| Before you start shopping for a new exterior door, | | | | usually have to buy the door knobs and locks |
| there are some things to keep in mind. First, of | | | | separately from the door itself. Another thing to |
| course, you need to consider your budget and decide | | | | keep in mind when considering security is the fact |
| what you want to spend on a new door. With all the | | | | that glass features near the door knob or lock can |
| choices available, the range in price can be wide. | | | | lower overall security. Also, steel doors and fiberglass |
| Some of the other things you will be considering | | | | doors generally offer a higher level of security than |
| before shopping will help you set your budget. For | | | | wood. |
| example, how important is aesthetic impact? Do you | | | | There's no reason today to make do with an older, |
| want to ramp up the curb appeal of your home with | | | | drafty unattractive entry door with so many options |
| an architecturally beautiful exterior door, complete | | | | available. Study our tips and have fun shopping for |
| with decorative glass transoms and inserts? | | | | your new exterior doors! |
| Remember the more glass used in and around the | | | | |