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Author: Viictory Media

Does My Door Need to be Replaced?

Top 3 reasons your door may need to be replaced.

1. Your Door is Out of Style and Needs an Upgrade

If your doors are older, or have been there for many years, chances are that the architectural trends in your area have changed. If you’re looking to add value to your home and draw in potential buyers, investing in a new door can offer a lot of value.

2. Air is Getting Through Your Door Creating a Draft

We know that electrical bills can be expensive, with air making its way through or under your door, those bills will skyrocket. Many homeowners begin experiencing this cold draft in their home through the front door because it is old. If this is something you are dealing with you will also begin experiencing higher energy bills, most notably in the fall and winter.

3. Your Door has Insect, Mold, or Other Damage

Whether it be storms, the sun, or insects, these all can create extensive damage to your front door. If you notice your door has been affected by any of these, you should get your door replaced as soon as you can. Not only will it keep you and your family safe from future unruly weather, but it will also give your home an exterior facelift.

How a Door is Fabricated

How a Door is Fabricated: Interior vs. Exterior Doors

The fabrication of a door differs depending on its’ purpose. There are many reasons interior and exterior doors vary so widely in their makeup, including materials, insulation, and general appearance, and here are a few:

Difference #1

Interior doors are often made using one singular material such as wood or fiberboard. This is because their purpose is more for appearance and aesthetic rather than to protect and provide safety like exterior doors.

Difference #2

Exterior doors are usually thicker and heavier due to the additional reinforcement required to provide structural integrity for outdoor use . These heavier materials can include fiberglass, steel, and/or a metal frame.

Difference #3

Exterior doors have insulation built-in, while interior doors tend to have a hollow space inside. This insulation is used to help keep energy costs down by trapping warm or cool air from escaping your home.

Besides these larger differences, interior and exterior doors are built in several ways to provide specific benefits.

Interior Door Builds

  • Solid Core
  • Hollow Core
  • Solid Stile and Rail
  • Carved MDF

Exterior Door Builds

  • Solid Core Flush
  • Fiberglass
  • Wood Panel

How to Open Up Your Door to the Backyard

3 Tips to Open Up Your Backyard

1.Maximize the Light  (See Examples)

Supersizing windows and maximizing light is a great way to bring the outdoors in! Installing more windows or glass doors can really open up a space and make your backyard feel like it’s a part of the house and not a separate space.

2.Double Down on Double Doors (See Examples)

Want to make your wall more stylistic and not just windows and doors? Add some wall space and use double doors! Implementing these stylistic choices can not only help bring the outside light into a room, while still highlighting the traditional or modern look of your home.

3. Consider Different Materials  (See Examples)

Are you worried installing doors or windows will take away from the vintage or modern look of your home? Think about different materials! Wood panels give you the option of paint or keeping that rustic look, while metals (no matter the color) can enhance a modern feel while still providing that outdoor light.

Check Out Some Examples or Learn More

Pick the Best Front Door for Your Home

Is Door Installation a DIY project?

If you’ve never tried installing a new door yourself, you may think it is a simple, straight-forward project, and anyone who had tried and failed themselves would agree. It seems simple enough.

For example, prehung doors come with predrilled holes for the handle and strike plate and comes with everything you need to replace the existing door except the tools. The packaging typically also includes a new jamb, hinges, moldings, screws and a latch.

Yet, even with all the right tools on-hand, one quickly realizes that there is a high level of precision needed in order to properly align and install a new door. There are many household projects that are worth learning how to do yourself. There are others that quite certainly should be left to the experts.

When it’s time to replace or upgrade your front door it is best to call a local door installer.

Features To Consider For an Entry Door

It’s easy to get drawn into the design and beauty of exterior doors, and you should find one that makes you proud and pleased when you pull up to your home every time. Delivering that “good to be home” feeling is the ultimate reward.

The front entrance to your home is a focal point that should be both inviting to guests and neighbors as well as serve as the threshold that protects your home from the outside world. A new front door is key to making the temperature and humidity of your home more comfortable. It is crucial for energy-use reduction. It is an investment that establishes safety and security.

The entry door is an essential component to the safety, energy-efficiency, and comfort of your household. We believe that selecting the right exterior door has to consider all these benefits along with how it looks.

As a statement piece for your curb appeal, any exterior door you chose should complement the architectural style of your home. For instance, a contemporary home with a white-washed brick exterior and high open foyer makes a statement with a 96” Mahogany entry door with a hammered glass inlay, sidelines and a 36”x24” awning transom to let the natural light pour in without sacrificing privacy.

But in the words of Michael Franco, “don’t lose sight of the single most important decision: the material your door will be made of.”

Source link: https://www.bobvila.com/articles/how-to-choose-an-entry-door/

The Most Important Factor of Exterior Doors

Each investment you make for your home is an important decision. The big decisions and long-term commitments take time to compare features and make a sound decision. Many people are comfortable researching which appliance is best suited for their lifestyle or what kind of flooring is ideal for their living environment, but the details that make a house a home are sometimes harder to nail down.

When it comes to deciding about exterior doors there are factors that will create immediate changes and other choices that won’t be apparent until years down the road. For example, making a quick decision might mean you didn’t realize that you will need to scrape and stain or paint a wood door every couple of years, or worse, the door material that you chose for durability doesn’t do much to regulate temperature and sound.

Taking time to know what are the differences between metal, wood, and fiberglass doors is the most important factor to weigh when choosing your entrance door. The different door materials will not only look and feel different, there are pros and cons to each style.

Get Started Choosing Your New Front Door

The front door shouldn’t be an after-thought or approached with the mindset that you can just swap it out if you don’t like it. It’s not that simple. When installed properly, a quality door can last decades.

To get a door to be perfectly aligned and square takes a carpenter’s skillset. Hiring a door installation company will save you time and the professional installation is worth it to get the front of your home upgraded in a couple of hours.

If you are looking for more information about what features are important when picking out a front door, we can personally highlight the different materials and their benefits to match your needs.

Fundamentals of Weather Proofing your Front Door

With extreme temperatures and unpredictable costs of natural gas and oil there are a number of factors you can’t control when it comes to budgeting for utilities. Every effort to conserve energy and reduce expenses counts, some more than others. Here are a few ways you can save money on utility bills that will make a difference to your bottom line.

Unlike some home improvements, when you weather-protect your doors and windows you will immediately notice a difference. Not only will the temperature in your house be more comfortable, sealing your home off from the outdoor elements has long-term benefits. Therefore, it is a wise investment that is simple, affordable and delivers immediate results.

Make your house energy efficient by fixing doors and windows that aren’t sealed tightly.

Before making any improvements, make note of a few important factors:

  • The main part of the door, called the panel, needs to be flush and line up with the sill (bottom), jambs (sides of door frame), and header.
  • Adjustments to one side of the door or jamb will affect other areas or functions of the door.
  • Using DIY weatherstripping and foam insulation is a temporary solution.
  • The direction the door swings (outswing or inswing) and which side the handle and hinges are on.

Image of door parts example

A common solution to drafty doorways is a door sweep which is a strip of plastic or metal that attaches to the bottom of the door panel.

Sometimes with doors it’s as easy as looking for gaps that you can visibly see. Another sign is if there is any movement in an area there should be a solid seal, like with a window pane.

With single-pane windows, there isn’t an air pocket to help insulate the glass. One quick, temporary insulation trick for window panes is bubble wrap. Using the bubble wrap with large bubbles, lightly spray the inside of the window and the bubble side with water. Press the bubble wrap up against the window plane gently but firmly. It will form a seal and stick to the window pane. Easy installation and easy removal!

Quick fixes to insulate your front entrance

The front entrance is often a particular area of focus for many people, not only as a focal point for curb appeal but also as a highly used space that also protects the home from the exterior elements. {Link to previous blog about choosing the right front door}. It makes sense that the entryway is a good place to start looking for places to seal up.

The primary location of air leaks at the front door is along the bottom between the threshold and the door. The front door gap between the door and sill is typically ⅛” to ¾” which can be covered by adding a door sweep to the outside of the door.

There are different styles of sweeps so the material the door is made of and the size of the gap will be important considerations. There is also a door shoe, which slips on the bottom of the door like a sleeve, which can be easier to install but tend to wear down quicker due to the additional friction the seal endures at the bottom of the door, as opposed to along the bevel of the threshold.

If you do use temporary weatherproofing products, be sure to check the condition of the materials and seals at least once a season.

Out With The Old Caulk, In With The New

Applying new caulk over the top of existing caulk is the most common mistake of weatherproofing. It’s like putting a new bandaid on without removing the old one – or putting a second pair of socks over the ones you are wearing because your feet got dirty.

If you don’t first remove the old, worn-out caulk you will likely be re-doing the repair again in under a year. The extra time you take to create a clean surface for the new caulk to adhere to will make this job have a longer lasting and stronger impact on sealing your home against the elements.

Caulking can be intimidating if you haven’t used it before, but if you use acrylic or latex caulk there is easy clean-up and little to no risk of damage. If you are new to caulking, note that you don’t want to use polyurethane caulk, as that is more toxic and requires special clean up materials.

There are a lot of instructions about how to caulk but they all share a few common truths:

  • You need to use a caulk gun, which is really just a metal container for the caulk to go in and a lever you squeeze to push the caulk out of the tube.
  • Cut the tip of the caulk off at a 45° angle.
  • Apply caulk to a clean surface and smooth the bead to create an air and watertight barrier.

These are some simple solutions if you have a drafty door or worn-down weatherstripping. There is a real benefit of getting it done right and creating a complete seal. Contact DFW Door Repair and schedule a free door inspection.

Why Your Door Needs Sidelight Windows

What Are Sidelites and Why Should You Have Them?

What Are Sidelites?

Sidelites (or sidelights) are vertical, narrow windows on the sides of exterior doors (and sometimes interior as well). Many times, these windows are built into the frame of the door, but can also be installed separately.

Along with sidelights, transom windows are also installed in tandem with sidelights. Transom windows, (as shown in the image to the right), are long, narrow, horizontal windows above the door.

Why Should Your Next Door Include Sidelights?

More Natural Light: One of the biggest benefits of installing sidelight and transom windows are the increase in natural light. Windows give guests a sense of welcoming and openness, which is especially important in a gathering place such as the entryway.

Better Views: Besides bringing in more natural light, sidelights also can provide better views. They make it easier to spot guests as hey arrive, keep an eye out for that delivery you’re expecting, or (in the case of a back door), can always let you see that beautiful back yard you’ve been working on.

Check out some of our past projects in our Inspiration Gallery!

Is investing in a storm door worth the expense?

We have our reasons for thinking they are!

A good storm door will cost from $300 to $1,500 depending on what materials you choose. So how do you know if investing in a new storm door is worth it? Let’s take a look at some of the benefits and drawbacks so that you can make an informed decision for your particular situation.

Front Door Security

Storm doors enhance the security to your front door and provide an added layer of protection that regular doors simply cannot match. Storm doors are often made of stronger materials than their standard equivalents, which means they’re less likely to be damaged. The glass allows you to see outside while protecting your home from being breached by intruders. This makes them ideal for use when you’re at home, or even while you’re away during the day.

Storm doors can also be used as a barrier between your entryway and different areas of your house. This is especially beneficial if you have pets or children who might want to be or see outside but you want to keep them in eyesight and arms reach.

Increase Home Insulation

Storm doors are a great way to help regulate the temperature of your home. They keep the warm air from escaping in the winter, and they keep the hot air from entering during summer months. The type of material creates a seal that is more airtight than your normal door. This means that by insulating a single-family home with storm doors you could save up to 30%-40% on your utility bills.

Storm doors are designed to keep out dust and other debris. They have larger frames than standard entry doors and are typically made of thicker materials, which helps them stay strong for longer and more effectively block out the outside elements.

Select Personalized Designs

Storm doors offer key benefits to homeowners, but it’s important to find the right style for your needs. Look for a storm door that is made from durable materials and has excellent insulation and energy efficiency. You also want a storm door that matches the size of your entryway and blends in with your home’s style.

Storm doors should be an essential part of any home. They provide security and protection from the elements, as well as improve the curb appeal to your property. Storm doors are a great way to keep the cold out (or in depending on the season), which also helps you save money on your energy bills. Investing in a storm door may seem like an extra expense, but considering the value added, there are many reasons to believe it’s worth it.

Our experts at DFW Door Repair will be able to tell you about customization options and installation services that will suit your needs. You can get a storm door that is customized to your home’s size and style, for all the benefits listed above, and to improve curb appeal while increasing the resale value of your home.

At DFW Door Repair, we believe that everyone deserves access to quality products and services at fair prices. If you’re still unsure about whether or not investing in one of these doors would be worth it for your family’s needs, don’t hesitate to ask us any questions to help you make the right decision. Call us to set up a free consultation.

Tips to Improve Your Weatherstripping & Energy Efficiency in Your Home

Winter is coming! Tips to improve your weatherstripping/door bottoms and energy efficiency at your home.

$100s of dollars is what you could save monthly with new weatherstripping and a quality door sweep. Luckily we can save you time and money with door repairs at DFW Door Repair. Take advantage of our can’t miss offer including free door inspections!

Saving Money on Energy Bill

Winter is coming and ready or not, it will show up. Of course, we all want to keep it outside, but invariably, it filters its way into our homes in the form of cold air around our drafty doors. In North Texas we generally have 2 different types of

weatherstripping installed, there are more than 2 but here are the most common types:

compression style and brass/ copper style metal weatherstripping. Your door may have nothing at all, which is a possibility as well.

Compression Style Weatherstripping

The compression style weatherstripping is easy to replace, as it has a spline that fits into a “kerf”, or little groove cut into the

side of the door frame. It easily slips out and a new one will tuck into its place. Compression weatherstrip comes in 2 main colors, white or black, sometimes referred to as dark bronze. Both can be picked up at your local home improvement store. The quality of the weatherstripping from a home improvement store is often times very cheap and does not last very long. Most are made with cheap materials and lack“memory”, or the ability for the weatherstrip to spring back once the door is opened to prepare a good seal once closed. Many times, weatherstripping found at home improvement stores is too short, causing DIY folks and handymen to splice in pieces.

This defeats the purpose and only generates another area for a draft to enter your home. Ultimately this results in a higher energy bill and loosing your hard earned money. Professional companies have access to much better materials that perform well above the mentioned products and will last years in some cases. Premium suppliers and expert in-house technicians make a huge difference when repairing a door. DIY is an attractive option but it can set you back long term.

Metal Weatherstripping

Metal weatherstripping is typically found on older homes and requires a different approach to replacement. This style of weatherstripping requires special tools and is generally installed by a skilled artisan and has a much higher cost and isn’t a suitable DIY project. The weatherstripping itself is also quite expensive. If you have this type, all is not lost. There are a couple of work arounds that work well in sealing the drafts for these types of situations, but they are not generally recommended as DIY projects as they require special saws and nail guns to attach them.

Door Sweeps/Door Bottoms

Let’s talk about another aspect of door repair and even door installation that you don’t want to miss!

One other thing to consider is the bottom sweep, or rubber on the underside of the door. There are many styles and types, but the best ones attach to the bottom of the door with staples. I would not recommend installing this as a DIY project. To do it properly, you should take the door off the hinges and put it on a flat, elevated platform like sawhorses. It will require at least two people to do this well as the door can be very heavy and awkward. Some of the doors in Dallas and around DFW are actually thicker than most and can way up to 400 pours! This type of door requires a special door bottom and skilled craftsmen to replace, so for safety reasons we recommend hiring a professional and not installing this personally. If you find yourself in need of help with weatherstripping or any other door needs, please feel free to call us at the number on our website or fill out a form for a free estimate.

We will respond within 2-3 minutes and we will be happy to help or guide you down the right path to seal your home this winter and save money all year long.