There are no second thoughts in this that your front door says a lot about you as well as the state of your home. If you want to make a good first impression, it is essential that your front door is well maintained and in good condition. As a homeowner, it is your responsibility to take proper care of the doors and windows in your home so that they last for years.
You might have to be keen on the signs that say it's time for a door replacement. A good front door is required to be sturdy and secure to protect your home and family from the risk of burglaries and other crimes and should also withstand heavy chilly winds coming from the outside.
REASONS TO REPLACE YOUR FRONT DOOR
Like all machinery and other furniture, doors also depreciate with time. They are subjected to a lot of wear and tear throughout their lifespan as they can get easily damaged in many ways. Let us look at a few reasons to replace your front door.
10 WARNING SIGNS YOUR FRONT DOOR NEEDS REPLACEMENT
The signs to replace your front door are usually visible and quite easy to figure out. Consider replacing your front door if you happen to notice any of the following warning signs:
1. REDUCED FUNCTIONALITY
Have you witnessed difficulty in opening, closing or locking your front door? If yes, your front door is not as functional as it used to be before. As the doors in good condition operate without any such hassle, this is the most common visible sign that your front door needs a replacement soon.
Some minor door opening and closing issues can be resolved without a complete door replacement. However, if the problem is severe, it can lead to further damage if not replaced at early stages. With the door being less functional than it used to be, your personal space also gets hampered.
2. CRACKS, WARPS, AND DENTS
If your front door contains cracks, warps and dents, its structural integrity has already been compromised. Cracking, warping and dents are clearly visible signs of a door replacement. These can be solved sometimes by applying a fresh coat of paint. But applying paint doesn't work in certain cases where the peeling is severe.
Cracks or peels look terrible on doors and spoil the entire look and image of your home. Wooden doors tend to get cracked, warped and peeled easily as they contract over many summers and winters. Replacing your front door is the only feasible and long term solution to this damage.
3. EXPERIENCING DRAFTS
When the temperature is very warm or chilly outside, do you feel a draft coming into your home through the bottom of your front door? This not just creates an uncomfortable environment but will also be very heavy on your wallet.
Experiencing drafts is very common as the door ages and begins to warp and break down. Controlled air from the inside of your home also escapes outside. You could use a towel to stop the draft, but this is not a feasible long term solution. Don’t hesitate to replace your front door if your electricity bills are getting out of hand.
4. SQUEAKING AND STICKING
If your front door is producing a loud squeaking noise whenever you open it or shut it, it needs replacement. Old doors that are in need of replacement tend to get louder over time. And as we all know, loud noises are an open invitation for a migraine or a headache.
Oiling or lubricating the door and the door frame will provide a temporary solution to these types of squeaking noises. But in the long run, door replacement will be the only available solution.
5. SUSTAINED A DAMAGE ALREADY
If your front door has already witnessed water damage or any such kind of damage, the door needs to be replaced immediately, else the door will start to decay and rot over time. This type of damaged wood is not secure enough to withhold the door structure or keep your family and home safe.
Damages from storms or vandalism can also weaken your front door poorly. We advise replacing the front door not to become a liability for your home. Always ensure that your front door is sturdy enough to sustain hurricanes or any other weather events.
6. MOISTURE
Moisture is known to expand wood. Ultimately, your wooden doors will expand in their frames, especially in summers, as the humidity is relatively high. Whereas the humidity is low in winters, you have better luck with these doors.
If your front door is made up of glass, you could see moisture buildup within the glass. If the moisture seeps deeper into the door, it can grow moulds, making your front door soft and damp. And as we all know, a front door is required to be tough and sturdy. This calls for a door replacement.
7. INSECT DAMAGE
Woodworms, termites, and wood bugs are common insects that can cause damage to your furniture. They not only damage your front door but many other furniture and beddings in your home too. Though insects' damage may not always be clearly visible, these damages are extremely harmful and cannot be ignored.
Pest control can work as a short term solution if the damage is still at an early stage. However, immediate door replacement will be the only available option if the situation worsens. To ensure that the damage to your door is minimal, opt for long term solutions instead of temporary ones.
8. THREAT TO SECURITY
The primary goal of your front door is to provide you with utmost security in your own home. But if your door doesn’t lock properly, this is a serious security issue that needs to be addressed immediately. If you had previously been using traditional locks for your front door, consider upgrading to advanced door locks for enhanced security features.
With the increasing incidents of robberies and burglaries these days, security has become a serious issue. It is susceptible to daily wear and tears as a door gets old. At any point, if you feel that your door is a security liability, do not hesitate to get a door replacement.
9. OUT OF STYLE
Being retro or vintage is far more different from being outdated. If your front door looks dated and outworn, it spoils the entire look of your home. It is better to replace your front door than to spoil the aesthetics of your home.
Out of style doors symbolize that the people living in the house are quite boring and not well-maintained. This also contributes to decreasing the curb value of your home. Your front door should always match the rest of the interior in your home, as this is the first thing guests see when they visit you.
10. SINGLE GLAZED DOORS
Single glazed doors are a concern for many property owners as they threaten the security of the home. These doors also invite excessive noise and condensations into your home. In the places where the climate is extremely hot during summers and extremely chilly in winters, these doors provide no use.
Double glazed doors are proven to be better at heat retention when compared to single glazed doors. They significantly improve the thermal comfort of your home. Replacing single glazed doors with double glazed has become a quite popular trend nowadays.
BENEFITS OF REPLACING A FRONT DOOR
Though home improvements are costly, yet they are worth it. Replacing your front door can prove to be one of the best investments to improve the look and safety of your home. The door replacement costs are not very cheap, but you will save money on energy bills and reduce maintenance over time.
DOES YOUR FRONT DOOR NEED REPAIRING OR REPLACING?
Certain minor door issues can be solved with repairing, but major issues require a complete door replacement. If your doorknob is broken, you could fit a new similar knob in place of it. If the door paint has started to wear out, you can add another fresh coat of paint to your front door.
However, if you notice any of the warnings mentioned above signs, replace your front door instead of thinking about repairing them. This is because certain things require long term solutions to sustain without burning a hole in your pocket.
CONCLUSION
Doors serve many purposes for your home - from insulation and security to functionality and design factor. It is important that we ensure proper maintenance of our front door properly. With the right door replacement , your front will be safer and more energy efficient, increasing your home’s value.
REPLACING FRONT DOOR FAQS
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO REPLACE A FRONT DOOR?
The cost to replace your front door usually depends upon the type of front door you wish to choose. UPVC doors are the cheapest option in the market, whereas wooden doors are a bit expensive. Replacing your front door can cost anywhere between £250 to £4500, depending upon the door you select.
HOW LONG DOES A FRONT DOOR LAST?
If your front door is maintained well, they can last up to 20 to 40 years. A timber door has an average lifespan of 50 years if taken proper care of, whereas a composite door can last up to 30 years.
CAN I REPLACE THE FRONT DOOR ON MY OWN?
Replacing your front door all by yourself is not a very challenging task if you have got the right tools and patience. But if you don’t feel confident, you can always take the help of a professional door fitter to replace the front door of your home.
WHEN REPLACING A DOOR, SHOULD THE FRAME ALSO BE REPLACED?
You can replace a door without changing the frame if the frame is in good condition. But, if the frame contains warps or cracks, we recommend you replace the frame along with the door.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO REPLACE A FRONT DOOR?
Replacing your front door will usually take an average of five to six hours. If you consider replacing your door frame and the front door, you can expect up to eight hours maximum.
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ABOUT THE AUTHOR: SHABANA KAUSER
Shabana Kauser is the dynamic owner of Emerald Doors, the famous door-selling company in the UK with immense knowledge and experience in working with architecture, interior design, and home decor. She continues to share tips and technical know-how of balancing interior elements, door fittings, room aesthetics, and the like. Personally, she loves coffee, always dabbling with several blends.
