The front door is the first and last thing your guests will see, so you want it to make an impression while also keeping your home warm (or cool) and your family secure. It’s also a great home investment: an energy-efficient door can save you 10% on your energy bill, and you’ll often regain nearly 100% of the cost through resale.
Home entry doors are commonly referred to as door systems because you are purchasing not only the door, but also the frame (see insulation below) and locking mechanism. The normal pre-hung front door measures 30-36 by 80 inches.
If you have a normal size front door, there are lots of options available; if not, getting a bespoke front door can save you a lot of time and headaches—Oikos front doors with a pivot hinge are available in sizes up to six feet wide and 11 feet tall! Custom front doors are almost often created using a palette of alterations available for basic door design.
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Material
Front or side entry doors are typically made of one of three materials: fiberglass, steel, or wood. A modern front door system is likely to include two or more of these materials. Oikos bespoke front doors feature a steel frame and a high-tech insulating core.
The exterior of the door is finished in a variety of bespoke materials, including steel, wood, porcelain, concrete, glass, and lacquer. Each of these materials is available in a range of textures and colors, and two or more materials can be mixed to create a completely unique design. In addition, you can select different finishes for the internal and exterior surfaces of the door.
Wood remains the traditional choice for entry doors, providing the high-end beauty that customers seek as well as good resistance to dents and scratches that are easily fixed. Walnut, cherry, oak, mahogany, maple, pine, and fir are the most commonly used woods for making doors.
When it comes to solid wood doors, the details matter; a thicker door with more complex carvings and moldings is usually a better choice. To keep a wood door looking good, it should be varnished or painted on a regular basis. A solid wood door should be thoroughly inspected once a year for symptoms of deterioration or excessive wear and tear.
Steel is the most versatile and cost-effective material, with superior weather resistance and security. Steel is more durable than wood or fiberglass, and it will not break or warp. Premium steel doors often feature an inner steel frame and high-density foam insulation. A steel door does not have to look like steel; custom steel doors can be finished with a stainable wood-fiber coating, laminated wood veneer, or a variety of other options.
Glass is becoming increasingly popular as a must-have material for home exterior doors. Glass may appear to be a “less secure” material, but modern glass safety doors incorporate all of the security features required to keep your family safe and sound.
Fiberglass is the most popular choice. It resists wear and tear, can be painted or stained, comes in a variety of textures, and requires little upkeep. However, inexpensive fiberglass doors can crack under force and should be avoided. A high-quality fiberglass door will cost more money.
Hanging design
The standard exposed three-hinge system is not the only method for hanging a door. Modern front doors can also be fitted with hidden hinges or mounted on a vertical pivot, allowing for a larger opening range and increased light. Regardless of the hanging system you choose, the hinge or pivot can be placed on either side of the door.
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Insulation and Energy Efficiency
Steel and fiberglass front doors provide stronger insulation against the elements than wood doors, but the majority of heat loss is caused by air leaks around the door rather than through the door itself.
When selecting a door, consider the quality of the doorframe’s construction as well as the quality of the design that integrates the door and the frame—the weatherstripping should seal well
Modern front doors are typically comprised of various materials sandwiched together for maximum insulation and safety.
The highest grade steel and fiberglass front doors include a thermal break, which is a heat-resistant substance placed between the inside and outside skins to prevent heat and cold from passing through the skin and frame, which can cause frost to form on the inner surface.
Security
When it comes to security, modern entry doors made of steel, wood, or fiberglass are all virtually similar in terms of strength.
They fail at the locking mechanism. Look for a door with at least a one-inch lock and a strong metal striking plate. Oikos front doors come with up to six locking pins, making them nearly indestructible.
If you choose a front door with a window or side window, the armored glass should have two certifications: bulletproof and sledgehammer proof. Glass should also be coated to help prevent break-ins.
Modern locking systems support keyless entry via a smartphone or transponder, keypad entry, and RFID entry.
Swing
Exterior doors are typically built to open inward; but, depending on your requirements, a custom exterior door may be constructed to swing outward.
Color
Natural varnished wood is always lovely, but if you want to make a bigger statement, bright hues such as orange, red, blue, and green, high-gloss black, and stainless steel have become trendy in recent years. When selecting a hue, consider the area climate, neighborhood style, and home design.
Installation
Avid DIYers should be able to install a basic pre-hung front door, which comes as a kit with the door already mounted in the doorframe, the hinges attached, and the lockset and deadbolt holes punched.
However, if you have never installed a front door before, or if your project necessitates changes to the size of the aperture, you should hire a professional installation. (We provide professional installation for all of our front door systems.)
