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How To Choose the Right Doors for Your Home

The type of doors you choose plays a crucial role in enhancing your home’s aesthetics, security, and functionality. Doors are more than just entry points—they’re integral to your home’s design and structure.

Apply Contracting Ltd’s comprehensive guide will explore the various types of front, back, and interior doors available to you and your family. We’ll highlight their benefits, numerous styles, and installation requirements to help you make an informed decision.

Choosing the Right Front Door

The front door holds a special significance in any home, acting as the primary point of entry and the initial impression for visitors. It’s a critical element of your home’s curb appeal and is vital in ensuring security, energy efficiency, and overall aesthetics.

Choosing the right front door involves balancing style, functionality, and durability to create an inviting yet secure entrance.

Wooden Front Doors

Wooden doors are known for their timeless appeal and strength. They offer excellent insulation and can be customized with various finishes and designs. From classic paneled to modern minimalist designs, wooden doors can fit any architectural style.

Are they easy to install? Wooden doors require precise measurements and professional installation to ensure they fit perfectly and are properly sealed against the elements.

Steel Front Doors

Available in a range of styles, steel doors can mimic the look of wood or come in sleek, contemporary designs.

When perusing steel front doors, you’ll be able to choose between the following styles and more:

• Classic paneled design
• Modern minimalist style
• Woodgrain finish
• Glass inserts
• Decorative grilles
• Double doors
• Flush steel doors

Steel Doors: Durable Doors Need a Durable Frame

Steel door installation requires a door frame strong enough to support the weight of a steel door. Proper insulation around the door is also critical to prevent heat loss. For both of these reasons, we recommend working with a professional.

Get the Best Back Door for Your Home

Back doors often require different considerations compared to front doors due to their unique functions and exposure.

Here are some key requirements to keep in mind when looking for a back door:

Durability Against the Elements

Back doors are frequently exposed to varying weather conditions, such as rain, wind, and sun. They need to be more resistant to weather-related wear and tear, with materials like fiberglass or treated wood offering better protection.

Enhanced Security Features

Although front doors are critical for security, back doors often need additional security measures like multi-point locking systems or reinforced frames because they’re more prone to being targeted for break-ins.

Ease of Use and Access

Back doors typically need to provide easy access to outdoor spaces. This might include features like sliding mechanisms for patios or French doors for convenient entry to and from the backyard.

Ventilation and Light

Back doors often connect outdoor living areas and may require features such as built-in windows or glass panels to allow natural light and ventilation.

Say Yes to Sliding Glass Back Doors

Sliding glass doors offer unobstructed views, easy access to patios or backyards, and plenty of natural light in the home, which is why they’re often the top choice for homeowners.

Available in single or double sliding options, sliding glass doors boast frame materials like:

• Aluminum
• Vinyl
• Wood
• …and more

Potential Sliding Door Drawbacks

Sliding glass doors can be less secure compared to other door types, as their large glass panels can be vulnerable to break-ins if not properly reinforced. Additionally, the tracks used for sliding can accumulate dirt and debris over time, which may lead to maintenance issues and difficulty in operation.

Don’t Forget About French Doors for Your Backyard

French doors offer a sophisticated and stylish transition between indoor and outdoor spaces, enhancing both aesthetic appeal and functionality. Their design typically features multiple glass panes, which can be customized with various grille patterns and types of glass, allowing for ample natural light and unobstructed views of your outdoor areas. This makes them an excellent choice for creating a grand entrance to patios or gardens.

However, French doors do have some potential downsides. The installation requires precise alignment to ensure both doors close correctly and meet evenly, which can be challenging and require professional expertise. Additionally, weatherstripping is essential to prevent drafts and ensure energy efficiency, as gaps between the doors can lead to heat loss or cold air infiltration.

Despite these considerations, the elegance and functionality of French doors make them a popular choice for many homeowners.

Have You Thought of Dutch Back Doors?

Dutch doors offer unique functionality by splitting horizontally. This design allows the top half to open for ventilation while keeping the bottom half securely closed. This is especially useful for maintaining safety and preventing pets or children from wandering outside.

Consider options and styles such as:

• Traditional Dutch doors
• Modern Dutch doors
• Rustic farmhouse Dutch doors
• Detailed and period-specific colonial Dutch doors
• …and more

Let’s Get into Interior Doors

Did you know that the average three-bedroom household will have as many as 10 to 12 interior doors? What’s more, many of these doors will differ. While the bedroom doors might all match one another, you’ll rarely find a dining room door that matches those in the bedroom’s door frames.

Common interior door styles include:

• Panel doors: Classic doors featuring a grid of panels, often made of wood
• Flush doors: Smooth, flat doors that are ideal for a minimalist look
• French doors: Elegant double doors with glass panes, perfect for creating an open, airy feel
• Sliding doors: Space-saving doors that slide open and closed, often used for closets or room dividers
• Barn doors: Rustic sliding doors that add a unique charm and can be a stylish space-saver
• Pocket doors: Doors that slide into the wall, ideal for saving space in smaller rooms

Choose the Right Doors for Your Home Today

Understanding the benefits and characteristics of different types of doors allows you to make an informed decision that enhances your home’s beauty, security, and efficiency. After you’ve brushed up on your options, we invite you to contact Apply Contracting Ltd to discuss door installation services, door replacements, and more. You can reach us at (519) 744-6888.