Your home’s entry door in Livonia plays a critical role as it protects your home from the elements, it keeps out intruders, and it has a significant impact on your home’s curb appeal. In fact, your front door says a lot about you and it can make or break your first impression to guests and (down the road) potential buyers.
Considering what an essential role your front door plays, this is a great place to start when renovating your home. The simple act of replacing your entry door can increase your home’s resale value while ensuring your comfort and safety year-round.
Yet, how will you know when it is time to replace your entry door in Livonia, Michigan? Keep reading as we take a look at just a few of the signs you can look out for indicating that it may to time to invest in a new front door for your home.
Your Door Sticks When Opening and Closing
One of the clearest signs that it’s time to think about replacing your entry door is when it starts to stick as you open/close it. Sometimes, difficulty opening or closing a door can be caused by loose hinge screws, which is a fairly easy problem to fix. However, if this isn’t the case, your problems are likely caused by a warped or misaligned door, or it may even be that your foundation has shifted, causing the entire door frame to become misaligned. In this scenario, the best option would be to have the door replaced.
There’s a Draft Coming From Your Door
A quality entry door should provide good insulation, protecting you from the elements year-round. This is particularly critical during freezing Michigan winters, as the last thing you want is to feel a chilly breeze coming through gaps under your door.
If you have noticed a definite draft coming from your front door and you have already tried replacing your weather stripping to see if that fixed the problem, then it is likely time to consider having your door replaced. The fact is that properly fitting entry doors should not let in a draft. If your front door is letting in a draft, this could be because your door has shrunk, the frame has become warped, or the door was improperly installed to begin with.
If your entry door is letting in a draft, it is essential that you have it replaced as soon as possible. Not only can replacing your door increase your comfort level, but it will also improve the efficiency of your HVAC system. The fact is that if your entry door has a draft, your HVAC system will have to work harder to heat/cool your home. Not only can this lead to increased utility bills, but this extra strain could cause your HVAC system to fail prematurely. Something as simple as replacing your entry door can then save you money in the long run.
Your Door Doesn’t Feel Secure
One of the most important roles your door plays is to provide security to your home. A sturdy, high-quality entry door can make a big difference in deterring would-be thieves who may move onto another home that is easier to break into. If you are uncertain whether your entry door is secure enough, you may want to consider having it replaced.
You may have cause for concern if your door has shrunk or warped and no longer feels sturdy in its frame. If your door feels loose, it may not take much for a burglar to break down your front door. In particular, check to see if your door’s hinges are loose. If you have been having frequent problems with your hinges failing, it may be easier to simply replace your door. Hinges are a common point of failure on older doors, and loose hinges can pose a serious security risk.
If your door does not feel as secure as it used to, investing in a high-quality entry door for your home could go a long way in protecting your family and improving your peace of mind.
Your Door is Warped or Cracked
Your entry door will take a beating over the years as it is exposed to the elements, which can leave it looking worse for wear. This is particularly true if you have a wooden entry door, as these doors can become damaged over time because of exposure to water as well as from expanding and contracting as the temperature changes.
If your entry door is starting to show its age, you should inspect it closely and look for signs of cracks or warping. Cracked or warped doors can be a serious safety concern, as they may no longer be structurally sound. Additionally, cracks may let in cold air, insects, and other pests, making it essential that you replace a damaged entry door as soon as possible.
There’s Dents or Rust
When inspecting your aging entry door, you should also look for other signs of damage such as scratches, dents, or rust. If you have a metal entry door, you may notice small spots of rust appear over time. While small rust spots may be able to be repaired, extensive rust and corrosion indicate that you will need to have your entry door replaced, as it is likely structurally compromised.
Regardless of what material your door is made out of, you should also look for dents. It is common for entry doors to sustain damage over time, as you are likely to knock stuff into them at some point as you enter/exit your home. However, large dents can compromise your door’s structural integrity and energy efficiency, making it essential that you have your door replaced if it is heavily damaged.
Is There Moisture in Your Door’s Windows?
Having an entry door with a window insert can be a great way to add extra natural light to your home. However, over time, the seal between the panes of glass in your door’s window may become compromised, causing you to notice condensation behind the glass. If this is the case with your door, then you will need to have it replaced as soon as possible. Not only does this mean that your door is no longer sealing properly, reducing its energy efficiency, but if your door is made of wood, moisture in your windows could lead to mold growth, putting your family’s health at risk as well.
Your Door Has Moisture Damage
Your home’s entry door will have to withstand a great deal of abuse over time, particularly since it is exposed to the elements. This can be particularly problematic if you have a wooden front door, as wood is extremely susceptible to water damage. If your door has signs of water damage such as wood rot or mold growth, you will want to have it replaced immediately.
The fact is that water damage can compromise your door’s structural integrity, limiting its ability to protect your home against pests, the elements, and potential intruders. When replacing an entry door that has sustained water damage, consider choosing a replacement door made from a more durable material like steel or fiberglass. These materials will stand up better against the elements, ensuring that your entry door protects your home for years to come.
Your Entry Door Simply Isn’t Your Style
Of course, even if there is nothing wrong with your door structurally, it may be time to replace it if it has simply become an eyesore. Styles change over time, and your once trendy entry door may start to look dated. If your door clashes with your style or you just don’t like how it looks, you should consider replacing it with something more modern. This will help give your home a fresh, updated appearance, which can help boost its overall curb appeal.
Replacing your entry door can go a long way in transforming the look of your home, making this a simple and cost-effective renovation that can go a long way in increasing your home’s value.
There’s No Noise Separation
As we previously mentioned, your home’s entry door is critical in insulating your home from the outside world. Not only should it keep cold/hot air out, but it should also help prevent noise outside from infiltrating your home. While it is normal to still hear loud noises outside or muffled voices as someone approaches your front door, you shouldn’t be able to hear outside noises clearly as if your door was open.
Not only can all that noise be annoying, but it can also reduce your privacy. The fact is that if you can hear your neighbors, then your neighbors can probably hear you. If your entry door provides little noise separation from the outside world, this is a clear sign that you should have your door replaced. A new door will have better insulating qualities, helping to reduce the amount of sound (and cold air) that enters your home.
Your home’s entry door plays a critical role by boosting your home’s curb appeal and protecting your family from the elements, pests, and potential intruders. If your front door is damaged or is starting to show its age, you should then consider having it replaced in order to ensure your family’s comfort and safety. Feel free to contact us to learn more about how you will know when it is time to replace your entry door as well as for help choosing the right door for your home.