Buying a New Front Door

There are many reasons why people buy new front doors. Of course, the most obvious reason is that their old front door has come to the end of its lifespan - perhaps it is rotten if it is a wooden door, or no longer functions as it should. There are other reasons beyond this though. The house may be a new build, with no doors yet at all. Or maybe, it is a home with new occupants, who do not like the current door, or require it to function in a way the current one does not. Then there are situations where the old door has been damaged in some way - such as during a break in, from extreme weather conditions or misuse.

Whatever the reason is, it is important when buying a new front door that you plan properly, this article explains why.

The most obvious reason for carefully planning a purchase is to ensure that the door you buy will fit. Rough measurements will not do, unless you are fine with the idea of a poor fitting door. When buying a wooden door, slight inaccuracies with measurements going over the required size can often be remedied by shaving the edges. However, this is a tricky task that requires precision and takes time, it is much better just to get the right size in the first place. Although most people could accurately measure the door themselves, it is better to have the doorway professionally surveyed to ensure there are no errors. Once you have the correct measurements, you can begin to consider the other important aspects of your new door.

The top consideration for front doors is security. Being a key access point for all potential attackers, it is vital to get a good level of security. If your home is in an area which has a high crime rate, or if you have valuables in your home which may be targeted, you should take measures to get a door with enhanced security. For homes with elderly or vulnerable members, it may be vital to have a spy hole and a security chain to reduce the risk of crime when the house is occupied.

Next to consider is function. If there is a member in your household that uses a wheelchair or pram, or where a raised threshold would be a risk, you need to ensure you get a door that has no frame to step over. You may also want to consider the opening you require - do you have a small hallway where an inwards opening door would not be suited? Maybe you require a door which is hinged on the right instead of the left. It is important to note these requirements down so you do not end up with something that is not right when choosing.

Less important, but still essential, is to ensure the aesthetics of your front door suit your situation. You do not want a door that clashes with the style of your home or looks odd with your existing windows and doors.