Your front door works hard, everyday, year after year. But with such repeated use, it will definitely wear down and need fixing or replacement.
A quality front door not only improves the curb appeal of your home and boosts the overall value of your home, but also keeps your house cool, warm, and safe year round. You can replace your entry door for a number of reasons, including adding a new decorative element to your home’s exterior; saving energy; letting in more natural light; increasing your home comfort; or increasing the security of your home.
But any home improvement project needs to be well timed to achieve the best return on investment (ROI). Here are a few signs that your door needs to be replaced:
-
Difficulty Opening And Closing
The first thing to look for in order to determine if it is time to replace your door is the functionality. Your entry door should open and close properly without binding or sticking, and fully latch once it is closed. If your door does not shut easily enough, and the problem cannot be repaired with a quick fix, you should consider replacing it.
For instance, if you find that you have to use your whole body to pull or push the door open or closed, you should get a new one. Entry doors are subjected to the changing ambient temperatures, and may be constantly expanding and contracting, letting cold and warm air in and out of the house.
-
Squeaky Hinges
Besides the door itself, you should ensure that the frame, threshold, and door jamb are intact. These components can also interfere with the functionality of your door, causing it to need replacement.
Things like squeaky hinges can be extremely annoying. Usually, the noise can be eliminated with a little oiling and maintenance. But if the hinges are wearing down and coming loose, then the frame, threshold, and the door itself may not be too far behind.
This kind of damage also means that your door can be easily forced open. Replacing your door restores the function of your door, keeping your family and home secure.
-
Cracks
Exposure to extreme hot and cold outside temperatures means that your door will be continually expanding and contracting. With time, it will lose its tolerance to temperature fluctuations, forming cracks that void its insulating effect and allow pests into your home. Additionally, cracks can affect the integrity of your door, creating safety concerns for you and your family.
So, it is important that you replace a cracked door as soon as possible to avoid human, insect, and weather invasions.
-
Floor Scraping
With time, your door will start to warp and sag. When it droops low enough, the bottom of the door will start to scrape the floor every time it is opened or closed, damaging your expensive floor. In some cases, rehanging the door from the hinges can effectively address this issue. But it is best to invite a door specialist to examine your door and determine whether you need to replace it entirely.
-
Drafts
Age can cause the seals around your door to crack and/or shrink, allowing air to seep into your home from outside, lowering the efficiency of your heating and cooling systems as you try to achieve the right temperature for your home.
If you notice light filtering in around your door, or feel moving air when you place your hand around the edges of your door, it is time to replace your door. In some cases, you can solve the problem temporarily with weatherstripping or caulking.
However, drafts typically indicate that your door is inefficient and poorly insulated, which in turn lowers the effectiveness of your heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) system. So, replacing your old door with a new, properly fitted and insulated door can help keep your home at the right temperature and reduce your energy bill.
-
Surface Damage
You should also replace a door that has been severely worn or damaged by weather and the elements, or wear due to repeated use over time. Signs of damage are fairly easy to identify, like dents and scratches that blemish the beauty of your door.
Although a scraped door does not necessarily mean that it does not perform its primary function – keeping cold air out and warm air in during winter and vice versa during summer. It can make your home uninviting. It can diminish your home’s curb appeal, leaving a poor impression on your guests, and discourage prospective buyers when looking to sell.
Your family will also not feel good walking through an ugly door every single day. So, instead of enduring a damaged entrance, consider replacing your entry door with a strong and durable door that can withstand use and abuse for longer.
Final Note
You may also choose to replace a functional door, if its appearance is outdated, to give your home a facelift. A new, updated door can improve our home’s curb appeal and increase its resale value with a ROI of about 65 percent. Even if you don’t intend to sell your home, your new, energy efficient door will serve you for years to come, giving you comfort, aesthetics, and lower energy bills.
