How a New Front Exterior Door Improves Security, Insulation, Durability and More

Jul 13, 2017

There are a multitude of strategies you can employ when it comes to upgrading the exterior of a home, from repaving the driveway to landscaping to new paint. “However, installing a new exterior door is one of the quickest ways to make a big first impression,” said Wendy Cline, owner of J&B Construction. This cost-effective option not only gives a home added curb appeal, but it also offers several other advantages. “Up-to-date materials and construction give newer doors exceptional overall durability and superior insulating properties, which can create an entrance that is not only attractive, but functional too,” explained Wendy.

The first step is to choose a door that compliments the architecture of the home. For example, six-panel varieties are best suited for a colonial house, while a leaded-glass type is ideal for a Victorian. “You’ll also want to select a color that conforms or contrasts with the siding, trim and shutters for a smooth design,” she said. Brighter hues, such as red, orange or yellow, add vibrancy to the entrance, while softer shades of blue, green or purple give the exterior a refined, crisp look. Consider incorporating a door with a transom or sidelights to brighten a dark foyer with natural light.

Next is security. Newer technologies often make updated exterior doors more secure than older varieties. “Quality fiberglass and steel styles are especially strong and usually have locking capabilities that outperform older wood doors,” she said. Their new designs are layered to resist forced entry. A modern door is either molded from one piece on each side of the door or fused together by new techniques such as industrial lasers or updated adhesives, creating a stronger door. With up-to-date bolt-locking systems and wide-angled peepholes, upgrading your door, means upgrading your home security.

Third, is insulation. You will want to pay attention to energy efficiency when installing a new exterior door. New doors typically have better insulation properties, which allows them to hold heat in during the winter and keep it out during the summer. “Most steal and fiberglass doors are filled with polyurethane foam insulation and include built-in weather stripping on the bottom to create a barrier to withstand elements such as extreme wind, hail or snow,” Wendy said. To give you a better idea, a typical one-inch thick, windowless steel or fiberglass door usually has insulating properties that are five times greater than the same-sized solid wood door. In addition, some homeowners can claim tax credits on doors that carry Energy Star labels, which can make a more energy-efficient door an attractive option in the short and long term.

Finally, is durability. Steel and fiberglass doors have more durability compared to older wood models. They have reinforced cores that resist warping. The exterior construction and materials also prevent other forms of weathering in terms of chipping, peeling and bubbling. Steel, fiberglass and wood doors often last a lifetime, depending on the maintenance, while wood doors are more susceptible to weather damage and require more periodic repainting due to their natural material. Also, painting fiberglass or steel varieties using an oil-based paint serves as an added barrier against the elements. Alternatively, you can finish a stained-wood door using at least three coats of polyurethane with an ultraviolet formula to protect it for many years to come.

Enjoy Peace Of Mind
 The only complaint I have is when I have J&B do my roof in another 30 years or so, is Dave their sales man (a great guy) would not guaranty I could get the same great crew I had this time. They did a fantastic job. Much better than the last roofing company did. A nice bunch of guys. Did a very nice job cleaning up. I'd give them 10 stars but 5 is the limit. If you need a roof done this is the company you want to do it. One more point I need to make. The guys that did the chimney flashing are artists. I went up on the roof when they were done and was very pleased with not only the roofing job but the sculptured sheet metal work. It's kind of a shame it's on the roof and not hanging on the family room wall :). You get the point. Hire em. You'll like em. 
 We live in a historic designated neighborhood and recently had our 30 year wood shingle roof replaced with another wood roof and new gutters. From Day 1 of the project to the final day, the entire team was responsive, professional, and very competent. When some minor changes were proposed by us they quickly and effortlessly complied. After going through this experience with J&B, I would highly recommend them to anyone considering a roof and gutter replacement, whether it be a simple or complicated project. 
 J & B did an amazing job from start to finish. The initial meeting at my home took place exactly at the time that was agreed upon and Scott was thorough in his explanations and transparent about costs. When the time came to begin the project, the team that showed up was friendly, professional and timely in getting the project done. The cleanup afterward was such that it looked like they hadn't been there at all. The roof looks great, there were no surprises and Scott came by to inspect the work and explain the warranty upon job completion. I would highly recommend them. 
 My neighbor had their roof replaced and I was really impressed with the speed, carefulness and quality of the work I saw. Asked her for her experience and she told me she would highly recommend J & B. I called Scott to set an appointment. He showed up on time and was very thorough in his assessment, also letting me know about some other issues and advise on where to get help. J & B is a fantastic company to deal with - their people are incredibly careful about the work they do, clean up and leave the property in the same condition as when they started, were careful about plants and the house, and work very efficiently. The office staff is great about following up, checking in and very responsive to anything that comes up. I was happy with the price charged. If you are looking to replace your roof, you should be calling J & B to get the job done. 
 We had work done by the J&B team at a commercial property and were very pleased with the whole process. Their estimator met us onsite and communicated with us every step of the way. They went over the scope in detail and the work performed exceeded what we were expecting. They found some additional concerns during the installation that were quickly addressed and communicated to us and to our surprise, there was not an additional charge. Our tenants reached out to share how respectful the employees were during the installation and how clean everything was left afterwards. As the project was wrapped up, we were walked through the completion paperwork and provided the warranty information. Very impressed with the professionalism of this company and would not hesitate to refer their services or use them again in the future. 
BBB
NARI
GAF
energy star
"We keep the Outdoors....Outdoors!"

Learn More
Serving Homeowners Throughout The Milwaukee Suburbs & Southeast Wisconsin
J&B Construction

W140 N10589 Fond du Lac Ave, Unit C
Germantown, WI 53022
Get Directions

262.437.0537