A new front door can give your home a fresh, updated look and improve home security. You have many options in entry doors. Replacement doors are made of different materials and come in different colors and window configurations. Choosing a new door can be challenging with so many options available. Here are some things to consider that might help narrow your choices.

When You Want To Improve Home Security

A steel door is a good choice for home security. However, most entry doors will stand up against intruders. It's the door lock and frame that might give way first. When security is a concern, you may want to look for an impact door that stands up to the force of hurricane-strength winds. Also, talk to the installer about using longer screws and installing a deadbolt so the door doesn't pull out of the frame when kicked.

When You Want More Natural Light

If your door is a solid slab now, you may want a new door that has a large glass front so it lets in natural light. The light streaming through your front door could brighten your home without having to go to the expense of adding a skylight just to have more light. You could choose decorative glass or frosted glass for privacy and still have light shine through. When you buy a replacement door, you usually buy a door that fits in the existing opening. While adding a glass transom or sidelights would allow extra light to stream in, adding these would require enlarging the opening in your wall and goes beyond a simple door replacement. If you don't want to spend money to enlarge the opening for a larger door, then consider a new door with a glass front. The glass in these doors is usually insulated so you won't lose heat through the door. The glass can even have a film applied that makes it strong and difficult to break out.

When You Want A Door That's Easy To Maintain

If you want a front door you won't have to spend a lot of time maintaining, then you probably want to avoid a wood door. These need to be painted regularly, and that could entail scraping and sanding. Plus, wood can rot and warp and require repairs. A steel door lasts a long time without the need for much care since it doesn't decay or warp. However, steel could eventually rust, and it might be dented. A fiberglass door could be a good option since it tolerates all kinds of weather, and is durable and won't rot. A fiberglass door is a good choice when you want a wood door, but you don't want the maintenance associated with wood. Fiberglass doors can be made to look like real wood complete with grain patterns and colors of natural wood, and that could make them an ideal choice when you want a long-lasting, attractive door that you don't have to spend a lot of time maintaining.

If you think that you're ready for a replacement door, reach out to your door professional.