factors to consider when replacing doors

FACTORS TO CONSIDER WHEN REPLACING DOORS


YOUR GOALS

Doors are said to be a smart investment for homeowners – a new door is worth sinking money into. But there may have been a few times when you’ve found yourself regretting your decision to get a new door installed. How, moving forward, do you make sure that you make the right door choice the next time around? What are the things to consider? Well, first, maybe you should look at what you hope to achieve by getting your current door unit changed out for a new one. Let’s start with the question: What, exactly, are your goals?


PART ONE: YOUR GOALS

Energy Efficiency. Is energy efficiency one of the things you’re aiming for? If so, know that energy efficient doors are rated by the National Fenestration Rating Council, and certified by ENERGY STAR according to these performance ratings:

CONDENSATION RESISTANCEhow well the door resists the formation of

condensation

U-FACTORthe door’s capacity to insulate

VISIBLE TRANSMITTANCE

how much light the door lets through

SOLAR HEAT GAIN COEFFICIENT

the door’s ability to block heat from sunlight

AIR LEAKAGEhow much air passes through

the door joints



You door ought to rate well on each of those metrics to be considered energy efficient. An energy efficient door should ideally be oriented towards the direction of the sun (in relation to your home), it should meet the required values for your specific climate zone, and it should adequately fulfil your energy needs.

WEATHER PROTECTIONDoors should keep the elements out. Is this, to you, one of the more important aspects to consider? If so, then it’ll pay to know the differences and advantages of the various door materials in terms of performance versus the elements, such as:

• Fiberglass. Many fiberglass doors are coated with a resin that limits the amount of exposure damage on the door. These doors are less prone to blistering, rotting, or peeling. In addition, they do not require re-coating very often despite having a long lifespan.

• Steel. Aside from the inherent strength of steel, doors made from this material are fitted with additional components that effectively keep the weather out. Hinge-sealed steel doors, for instance, have low air leakage rates – and they also protect against moisture. As an added option, you can get storm doors, which serve as interior doors, to provide extra protection.



CURB APPEALOn the other hand, you may just want to replace your door with a style that is more suited to your home’s architecture. If you live in a Colonial home, for example, classic French patio doors are a great choice. Swinging doors, alternatively, do a lot to soften the hard lines of a Tudor home. For Victorian homes, anything from a swinging to a sliding door works. The same goes for homes with contemporary or modern architecture. Or, perhaps, you prefer doors with a slim profile? Those would pair well with Ranch-styled homes.

What about very particular – and in some cases, personal – factors? Are they worth considering when you’re thinking of replacing your doors? Absolutely. In part two of this e-book, we look at how you should tackle that.


In part one, we discussed the benefits of a door replacement in terms of meeting goals such as energy efficiency, weather protection, and curb appeal. But just because there are many door materials and styles to choose doesn’t make replacement absolutely necessary in every case. Consider these factors before shopping for a new door.

YOUR NEEDS


PART TWO: YOUR NEEDS

AGE OF YOUR CURRENT DOOR.Home remodeling resource Improvement Net estimates the average life span of a door to be anywhere from 20 to 50 years, depending on the type of the door. If your door has totted up quite a number of years in service and has begun to show signs of damage, replacing it may well be in order.

These signs, in particular, should signal you that it’s time to search for a professional door replacement contractor:

• Visible cracks• Noisy hinges• Drafts• Issues with opening and closing


PART TWO: YOUR NEEDS

YOUR HOME CONDITIONSWhere you live will very much factor into the functionality of your new door. If you live in a coastal area, for instance, the constant salt spray from the sea may damage your doors. Thus, it’ll make sense to coat them with protective finishes. If you live in a dry desert area, on the other hand, dirt may build up on the hinges and other accessories – which may also damage them over time.

Where energy savings are concerned, your climate zone is another important consideration. What works for a hot area, after all, does the opposite for a cold region. The key to finding the right values for your specific locality is to consult ENERGY STAR and understand the function of the differing energy performance values.

YOUR WILLINGNESS TO DO MAINTENANCESome materials require a lot of maintenance; others, not so much. Wood doors, for all their classic appeal and natural energy efficiency, need painting every so often. They are also more prone to rotting, warping, or cracking than other materials. Steel is a better option where maintenance is concerned, the only real downside being that it can easily get scratched or dented.

Fiberglass, on the other hand, can mimic the look of real wood without the predisposition to damage. And like steel, it is also very durable – while requiring the least maintenance.

But how exactly do these materials have to be installed, and what should you look out for? We cap off this e-book with a discussion of some important installation considerations.


We talked about how a door replacement can help you meet your goals and satisfy your needs in parts one and two. Now, to close this e-book, we examine the (arguably) most important part of

the process: installation.

INSTALLATION


PART THREE: INSTALLATION

TECHNICALITIESThere are various international model codes that prescribe specifications for the installation of doors, such as the 2003 and 2006 versions of the International Residential Code for One- or Two-Family Dwellings and the 2007 version of the Florida Building Code. These codes – or, at times, a newer version of them – are adopted throughout the country. Some jurisdictions also choose to supplement the national codes with their own additions. You’ll also find that particular stipulations exist against the use of some door materials in areas that have strong winds. All these, taken together, make it critical that your chosen door professional understand the nuances of all these technicalities. Failure to do so may mean not being granted a permit. Understanding the technicalities involved in door installation, however, is just the half of it. Equally important is carefully selecting the right professional contractor.


PART THREE: INSTALLATION

PROFESSIONAL CONTRACTORWho you hire to replace your doors is equally important in ensuring correct installation. Here’s what to look for:

• Good reputation. A good reputation is the sum of a contractor’s experience and reputation for customer service. There are many good ways to check for this. One is through client reviews, where you can read the opinions of people who have commissioned your contractor for projects similar to yours. Another is through the Better Business Bureau. The BBB is a great platform for getting to know your contractor and, more importantly, whether or not you should hire him or her.

• Partnership with a Trusted Manufacturer. A contractor who carries the door products of a trusted manufacturer in his or her catalog can give you high-quality results. This is because, in most cases, the manufacturer offers training programs to their contractors to ensure proper application and installation. In addition, such a contractor will be able to offer comprehensive product warranty and support.

When you have found the above, schedule a consultation to better gauge the merits of choosing a particular professional. Then, ask your contractor to furnish you with a written contract. This should include details important to the project like materials, start and end dates, and payment methods.


HI-TECH WINDOWS & SIDING20 Aegean Drive Unit 4, Methuen Ma 01844

www.hitechcorp.biz(800) 851-0900

http://www.hitechcorp.biz

factors to consider when replacing doors

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