7 Essential Signs You Need a New Front Door
Your front door serves its primary purpose. It still opens and closes, after all. However, you can tell that it’s not what it used to be. For this reason, you’re considering replacing it. However, before you go and do so, you want to be sure that you’re making the right decision. That’s why you’ve come here. You’re looking for signs that your door is in need of replacement.
Well, we wouldn’t want to deprive you. So, without further remark, here are 7 essential signs you need a new front door.
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Your Door is Dinged Beyond Repair
Over time, as doors sit prone to the elements, they receive a great deal of wear and tear. This deterioration is derived from a number of different sources, including rain, snow, sunlight, and physical trauma. In the case of physical trauma, door deterioration typically presents itself as dents and dings. These dents and dings accumulate over time as the door is met with flying stones, hail, errant limbs, and a variety of other entities.
While a few dings here and there aren’t a cause for concern, a large number of dings is going to drastically reduce the aesthetic of the door. While you could attempt to repair all of these dings, the cheaper option would probably just be to replace the door as a whole.
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Your Door Sticks When Being Opened or Closed
One of the big problems you’ll encounter with doors is that they shift over time. This typically occurs over decades and decades of use, as their corresponding doorways move with the foundations of the homes upon which they’re attached.
In most cases, this will eventually present itself as a door which sticks when being opened and closed. A door such as this will force you to use substantial amounts of energy. At best, these doors are a pain; At worst, they’re a complete detriment to the quality and functionality of their corresponding homes.
While this problem can sometimes be fixed with a repair, it’s often a lost cause. If you’re unsure as to whether a repair is viable, you should bring in a door contractor. He or she will assess the door and make any repairs or replacements which might be necessary.
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There’s Condensation Between the Window Panes on Your Door
Does your front door contain windowed sections? If so, they could be a big clue as to whether you need to make a replacement. When in good shape, the windowed sections on a door will remain free of condensation. This is a sign that both of their panes are sealed correctly, and are not allowing through substantial amounts of heat or cold.
However, when condensation is found between the two panes of a windowed section, it’s indicative of the fact that the windows aren’t sealed properly. Odds are, they’ve broken down over time. Now, this won’t drastically affect the functionality of the door. However, it will reduce its energy efficiency. So, if you want your door to be as energy-efficient as possible, a door replacement will be needed.
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Your Energy Bills are Climbing
As was noted above, as time passes, your front door becomes less and less energy-efficient. Because it becomes less energy-efficient, it lets through greater amounts of heat and cold. This, in turn, puts greater strain on your air conditioner and furnace, causing them to use more energy than they otherwise would.
The result of this? Costlier energy bills. So, if your energy bills seem to be increasing randomly, there’s a decent chance that your door is to blame. Note, however, that windows and other components can cause the same problem.
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There are Insects All Over Your Home
Have you noticed an influx of spiders crawling around your furniture? Are ants making their way into your kitchen on a regular basis? If so, there’s a chance that your front door is to blame. As front doors shift over time, they become misaligned. This misalignment results in gaps, typically at the bottom of the door. Unfortunately, these gaps make great entryways for insects. While you might be able to repair such a door, in many cases, it will necessitate a full replacement.
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Your Door Pulls Down the Aesthetic of the Rest of Your Home
Like all things existing in this world, doors deteriorate over time. This is true not only functionally, but aesthetically as well. Has your door reached a point of severe aesthetic deterioration? If so, there’s no shame in having it replaced. An aesthetically-lacking door could drag down the aesthetic of your home at large, turning it into an eyesore. You don’t want your home to be an eyesore. Make the replacement and reap the benefits of a brand new door.
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Your Door Lets in Huge Drafts of Wind
A sure sign that you need to replace your door is that it’s letting in huge drafts of wind. One of the primary purposes of a door is to keep these drafts out. If it’s letting them in, it’s failing to perform its function. You shouldn’t have to place a towel at the bottom of your door in order to keep your house warm. If you’re doing so, you should think about opting for a door replacement.
Learn More About Your Door
If you’ve noticed any of the signs with your front door, it’s likely at the end of its rope. A change should be made sooner rather than later. Failure to make a change will not only impede on the functionality and aesthetic of your home, but it will also end up costing you money in the long-run.
Looking to learn more about your door? Handyman Tips is the site for you. We offer tips on everything from door replacement to door repair to door maintenance and more. Peruse some more of our home improvement articles now!
