Your front door plays a big part in creating good first impressions. It’s a central, architectural elements that greets guests and secures your home — which is why it’s important to make sure it’s always in great shape.
Typically, high-quality front doors, like the ones from Burano Doors, will last for decades. However, some doors may need to be replaced sooner.
As soon as your front door compromises your security, home comfort, and energy efficiency, it’s definitely time to get a new door. Making the proactive decision to replace your front door can give you a more comfortable and stylish living space, while also saving you a lot of money down the line.
Here are some of the tell-tale signs that it’s time to start looking for replacement entry doors. As a bonus, we’ll also talk about the best time of year to replace your front door.
Let’s begin!
1. Drafts & Spiking Energy Bills
If you have noticed a sudden increase in your energy bill, your entry door might be the culprit. Exterior doors are designed to seal when shut, thereby preventing warm or cold air from entering or exiting your home. Essentially, front doors need to be weatherproofed, and if they’re not, it can be problem.
As front doors age, their seals can shrink and crack, leading to unwanted drafts. If you have gotten into the habit of lining the base of your front door with a towel or blanket, chances are your door’s seal is broken. Though the seal or weatherstripping of the door can be replaced, it’s not a good sign when the seals need frequent replacement.
2. Cracks & Other Visible Physical Damage
Issues with your door such as rust, dents, cracks, holes, and warping wood can lead to undesirable consequences. These problems will not only let in a draft and/or precipitation but they could also make your front door less secure.
Not to mention that physical damage can be off-putting to look at. And when the damage is severe enough, a fresh coat of paint won’t be of much help.
In addition, entry doors with moisture damage are likely to cultivate mould or harbour insects and germs.
3. Difficulties Opening & Closing It
Your entry door shouldn’t be a challenge to open, close, or lock. The reason your door is sticking and difficult to use could be the result of a number of different things including hinge issues and shifted material.
When getting a new door, keep in mind that there are options in the market that are durable and less prone to shifting, warping, and moisture damage. For instance, fibreglass doors are virtually resistant to the problems mentioned above. So if you want a new front door without repeating the frustrations you’ve had with your old one, fibreglass is the way to go.
4. Moisture Damage, Mould, & Mildew
If you are experiencing leaks, or even flooding near your front door when it rains, it is definitely time to get a new door. Moisture seeping into your home can cause water damage.
Water damage may require extensive, costly repairs that will leave you wishing you had replaced your entry door sooner. Constant moisture infiltration can also lead to the growth of mould, mildew, and fungi.
5. You Want to Improve Your Home’s Security
If you think that you need to replace your front door to improve your home’s security, it’s high time to make that proactive change.
Another option for improving front door security is to get a storm door. Storm doors don’t just protect your front door and home from inclement weather — they are also an additional layer of protection against criminal elements.
By getting a storm door with its own lockset, you have an additional lockable door on top of your main front door. Though a storm door can still be broken into, this added layer of security will buy precious time in case of a break-in. Moreover, in some instances, the presence of a secondary door is enough to discourage burglars.
6. You Feel That It’s Time for A Change
Your front door doesn’t need to be in a worn-out state before you consider getting a new one. Maybe you want to boost the look or style of your home. Maybe you’ve hit a new milestone or have simply changed your outlook in life and want your home to reflect that. Maybe you’ve always wanted a grand, double-door entryway and you’re ready to actualize that dream.
For whatever reason, if you feel that a new front door would uplift you, inspire you, and bring you closer to your vision of a dream home, then it is indeed time to replace your front door.
What Time of Year Should You Replace Your Entry Door?
Did you know that there’s no such thing as the perfect time of year to install your replacement door in Toronto? Each season comes with its own ups and downs which are outlined below.
Winter
While the coldest and snowiest season might seem like an inconvenient time of year to replace your entry door, it actually has some benefits. Unlike other seasons, contractors are far less busy during the winter. This means there is a better chance that you are going to be able to install that door exactly when you want to, rather than having to wait weeks for their schedules to clear up.
If you are thinking that the installation process might make your entire home feel like a winter wonderland (you will have no front door, after all), you are not wrong. However, an expert team of contractors will be able to limit the level of heat loss and get the installation done fairly quickly.
Spring
This is the season when contractors are the busiest as calls are constantly coming in for much-needed repairs and new installations after the snow melts. Because of this, there is a chance that you will need to wait a couple of weeks for an appointment. This isn’t ideal when your front door is leaking and bugs are getting in.
That being said, spring is usually a great time to replace your entry door as the weather is usually mild so heat loss won’t be a problem.
Summer
The warm weather that comes with summer can be ideal for installing your replacement door in Toronto. Although, you might face the same issue here as you did in winter with heat loss, only now with cold air. Your air conditioning unit might feel the strain, but if you can forgo cool air for a little bit, summer might be the perfect season for you.
However, keep in mind that summer is another busy season for contractors.
Fall
With the summer season ending, the home improvement busy season also comes to a close. You will typically be able to get your replacement entry door installed fairly quickly at this time of year, however, the unpredictable autumn weather could slow the process down.
Ultimately, whatever time of year you need a replacement door in Toronto is the best time to replace it. Don’t wait too long, otherwise, you might risk the security and structural integrity of your home.
Stylish, Reliable, and Energy Efficient Entry Doors by Burano
If you’re looking for a replacement door in Toronto that’s built to last, look no further than Burano Doors.
All doors in our collection are guaranteed to be stylish, reliable, and energy-efficient. Having manufactured these doors ourselves, our clients can rest assured that we’ve had full control over every aspect of our high-quality doors.
We also offer numerous customization options so that you can get the exact type of new door you envision.
Contact us today to find the perfect replacement entry doors for your home!