What is a Replacement Door?

A replacement door is often necessary whenever any of your exterior doors experience enough damage to merit getting a new one. Problems with rust, energy inefficiency, water or pest infiltration, and other physical damage can lead homeowners to want to replace their doors. There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing a new door, so let’s take a careful look at the strengths and weaknesses of various door types.

As many of us have had the misfortune of experiencing, an old or worn-out door can contribute to energy loss (even as high as 10%), mold proliferation, excessive moisture, and the intrusion of unwanted pests like insects and rodents. You also know that you have a door problem if the threshold becomes springy, which is a sure sign of moisture issues.

There are three general types of doors you can use for exterior entry: wooden, fiberglass, and steel.

Wooden Replacement Door

Wooden doors are the oldest way to secure an exterior entry into your home. They can be very heavy and elegant; providing your home with a terrific classical appearance. Unfortunately, wooden doors are not as sturdy as their fiberglass or steel counterparts, and they’re also more vulnerable to physical decay.

Wooden doors are more susceptible to humidity-driven problems like mold, wood rot, chipping, and splitting. They also require much more effort to maintain because you must paint and stain them every so often. Also, unlike fiberglass and steel doors, wooden material does not possess the same R-value, which is a measurement that refers to its sturdiness.

Fiberglass Replacement Door

Fiberglass is a relatively new material for making doors and it comes in either a wood grain or smooth finish. They typically have a great R-value, don’t require much maintenance or upkeep, and won’t warp as a result of harsh weather. You wouldn’t need to worry about moisture in the summer or shrinking in the winter as much as you would with other door types.

What are some drawbacks to fiberglass doors? Generally, these are in high demand these days, which means they’ll cost you a bit more than wooden or steel doors. Also, critics argue that they may not be the best choice for improving home value, there isn’t much variety in style, and they may crack under certain conditions.

Steel-Insulated Doors

Steel has become a solid replacement door option in recent times, owing to its greater security, great R-value, and easiness to repair. As the name suggests, steel doors also surpass wooden doors in terms of insulation prowess.

There are some drawbacks to steel-insulated doors, however. They tend to stretch and scratch, so you will need to maintain them periodically. Also, whenever you use steel, any presence of water will eventually cause it to rust to some degree. Again, for prisons or homeowners most concerned with security matters, steel doors are the best choice.

Energy Pro Windows & Siding – KC’s Best For Door Installation

Now that we’ve covered the basic replacement door types, we want to remind you of how Energy Pro Windows & Siding can help you with any door project. Whether you seek to install a simple/basic door or rather an ornate beautiful one like the ProVia door, we’re always happy to assist.

Our trained crew of installers has a combined experience of more than 125 years. We only use the best materials, aspire to the highest standards for customer service, and are capable of installing ProVia doors, Albany doors, sliding doors, and a whole lot more. We serve several areas in the Kansas City metro, including Independence Missouri, Bonner Springs, Kansas, and Lee’s Summitt, Missouri.

Energy Pro is a licensed contractor and can assist with all permitting and code compliance.

Don’t forget to contact us, your friends at Energy Pro Windows & Siding, whenever you need a replacement door for your home.