Has one of your entry doors become worn and outdated? You should probably consider updating it. As you begin to shop, one thing will become clear: there are tons of entry doors on the market. Luckily, you can narrow down your options by remembering that there are three main factors to consider when buying a replacement door.
Energy Efficiency
You can lose a ton of energy through a door that is either leaky or made from a material that does not insulate well. The easiest way to determine whether a door is sufficiently energy-efficient is to look for the Energy Star logo. This is awarded by the government only to products that meet certain efficiency standards. Now, some Energy Start doors are more efficient than others. If you want the most efficient door possible, you will probably want to go for one made from composite or fiberglass, rather than wood, although there are some wood doors that meet Energy Star standards.
Durability
You don't want to buy a new entry door only to have it wear out in a year or two. You want a durable door, and there are a few things that go into making a door durable. You want to look for hinges and fixtures made from a really durable metal, like stainless steel or iron, rather than from aluminum. You also want to look for a door with a solid core; hollow doors are best reserved for interior use where you don't have to worry so much about the door being bent or dinged if a branch blows into it.
Glass Quality
Assuming your entry door will have some glass in it, as most do, you need to consider the quality of that glass. Look for dual-pane glass. This is essentially two layers of glass with a layer of air between them. The air works as an insulator, reducing the loss of heat through the door. You should also make sure the glass is laminated. It might be advertised as "security glass." This means there is a layer of plastic over the glass that will keep all the little pieces of glass together if the glass breaks. This is essential with a door since you never know when someone might slam it — which would shatter standard glass.
Keep these three qualities in mind when shopping for a replacement entry door, and you should be set to go.
