Top Mistakes Homeowners Make When Selecting a Replacement Door

What can go wrong with selecting a replacement door?

Many savvy homeowners become better informed when making large purchases for their homes – thanks to the wealth of knowledge on the Internet. However, we see many homeowners in Connecticut make the same mistakes when purchasing a replacement door. 

Don’t Make These 4 Mistakes When Selecting a Replacement Door

There are three steps in the process of purchasing new replacement doors. First, you must choose the door that tickles your fancy; second, you must purchase the door; third, the door must be installed. Following are some of the more common mistakes we have helped homeowners resolve.

1) Selecting a High Maintenance Material

These days, most people barely have time to relax or do hobbies, so the last thing you want to do is add door maintenance to your never-ending “to-do” list. For instance, many homeowners select wooden entry doors because, well, they are beautiful; however, they are likely unaware of just how much maintenance these doors require. Owners must sand, stain, and paint to protect the door from the elements.

Newer materials, such as fiberglass, can imitate wood’s appearance (if that’s what you want) very well and are virtually maintenance-free. Contact us to see samples of some pretty amazing replacement doors.

2) Buying Only Because It’s Cheap

Even if you have a tight budget we don’t recommend installing a cheap entry door, you’ll end up regretting wasting that money. Save your low-end options for another home improvement project, on one that isn’t quite so visible.

Your home’s replacement entry door is a highly visible feature and will likely be seen either by you or a passerby every single day. A cheap door will also not have the energy efficient benefits and could prove drafty. And a cheap door will probably require high maintenance. Choosing based on price alone rarely works out for Connecticut homeowners.

3) Assuming You Can Install it Yourself

You should turn to a professional door installer for the installation. Trust us, this task is not as easy as you may assume, and an incorrect installation can lead to a number of problems that you don’t want or need. An improperly installed door can:

• Create Drafts – Negatively impact the energy efficiency of your home, let the cold in and let the heat out.
• Be Hard To Use – The door can be difficult to open and close.
• Security Risk – A poor installation can make your home less secure.

4) Deviating From the Home’s Architectural Style

Most homes have a prominent architectural style. You may be tempted to be adventurous with your new replacement door, but make sure you don’t overdo it. If you end up choosing an entry door that features an extremely bold color or design, you can make your house look very uncoordinated, leading to a decrease in curb appeal.

Replacement entry doors add value to your home by boosting curb appeal and improving overall energy efficiency. For the Connecticut climate, we recommend Therma-Tru entry doors. Consider the location of your door when you pick the finish, color, and material. If possible, set aside time to discuss these considerations with a ct door contractor.

Our Replacement Door experts at J.C. Tonnotti can provide advice that will help you make and install the door that is right for you.