You usually use the backdoor when leaving and entering home – the only time you really use the front door is when you have guests over. But the last time you mowed the lawn you got a good look at the front entry door as you passed by. It made you do a double take at how shabby it looked in comparison to the rest of your home’s exterior. Here are some signs it’s time to replace your front door.
It looks a little worse for wear.
When someone comes to visit or even walks by the house, one of the first things they see is the front door. Just through every day use, the entry door develops wear and tear. When it looks outdated, old, faded, or worn, it detracts for the overall appearance on your home’s exterior.
Solution #1: Repair the door if the damage is minimal or manageable – a cracked door panel, missing glass pane, a few cracks or holes in trim or door that can be patched or filled.
Solution #2: Replace the door if it is warped or the damage is extensive.
It shows signs of damage.
When the outside of your front door shows obvious signs of damage such as cracks (wood), dents (metal), rust (metal), wood rot or warping (metal/wood), it can make your home appear uncared for. It can also compromise your home security if it looks like the front door offers easy entry to a burglar. One that is warped and doesn’t open or close easily can be a safety hazard should you need to exit the front door in an emergency. Assess how much damage has been done to the entry door.
Solution #1: Repair the door if the damage is minimal or manageable – a cracked door panel, missing glass pane, a few cracks or holes in trim or door that can be patched or filled.
Solution #2: Replace the door if it is warped or the damage is extensive.
There are signs of mold and mildew.
Front doors that have glass panels can become vulnerable to humidity or moisture damage as they age. Particularly with wood doors, when the material around the panel contracts and expands water droplets can be trapped between the glass panes. Mold or mildew could result. If the issue is not addressed it can spread through the wood and become a health issue.
Doors without glass panels are also subject to mold and mildew growth if the door or the trim around it is constantly exposed to moisture.
Solution #1: Remove one or two panes of glass or the glass panel to see if it is possible to completely get rid of the fungus. If it looks like cleaning the area with a solution of water/detergent/bleach solves the problem, replace the glass; make sure each pane or panel has been properly sealed.
Solution #2: When the mold or mildew is extensive, installing a replacement door is most likely the more cost-effective solution than repairing it.
It’s cold in winter, hot in summer.
It’s imperative your doors and windows are energy-efficient. When the hallway is cold in winter, but hot in summer, it could be a sign that your door is allowing cold air in and warm air to escape. In summer, the opposite occurs – air conditioned air “cools” the outdoors.
Another red flag that your entry doors aren’t as energy-efficient as they should be is high energy bills. If you’ve noticed a significant difference in energy costs within the last year, your front and back doors could be the reason.
Solution #1: When there are no obvious signs of damage, see if tightening or replacing the hinges stops air from entering or exiting your home.
Solution #2: If the hallway is still cold in winter and hot in summer after tightening the hinges, replace the door.
