What Type of Entry Door is Right For Your Needs?

One of the biggest decisions you will face when shopping for a new entry door is what type of material your door will be.  There are many options to choose from, including wood, fiberglass and steel. Here is a look at the various aspects of each type of door:

Wood

 Wood doors come in two varieties; solid core and solid wood. A solid core wood door is typically composed of high density fiberboard with a thin piece of plywood or laminate on each side. The core is an  energy- efficient polyurethane designed to insulate and the panels are typically done with thicker plywood and wood pieces, similar to the way cabinetry is constructed. This door will need maintenance over time, and will eventually need refinished due to exposure to outside elements. Many times the thin laminate and plywood will absorb moisture behind the protective clear coat finish, and as a result, will peel or bubble out.  

The second type of wood door is a solid wood door. This type of door is 100% wood, and is the heaviest door on the market. While shifting and expanding is always a risk with this type of door, this problem can usually be minimized by purchasing a door produced by a high-quality manufacturer.  A solid wood door must be maintained annually to preserve the finish, but these doors can be sanded and refinished  if needed. A solid wood door is the most expensive door you can buy, sometimes costing as much as 10 times the price of a steel door.

Despite which type of wood door you choose, sun and humidity are a wood door’s natural enemies. Wood will also start to show its age and use, including scratches and cracks; and can warp when exposed to high moisture. If you decide a wood door is the right choice for you, expect a hefty investment. You get what you pay for and a cheap wood door will simply not stand the test of time.

Fiberglass

  A fiberglass door isn’t entirely fiberglass. The core of a fiberglass door is composed of a framework of wooden or composite stiles and rails, with a surface of compression-molded fiberglass. The framework’s voids are filled with CFC-free polyurethane foam insulation. While some cheaper fiberglass doors are obviously distinguishable from wood, high quality fiberglass doors feature the appearance of deep wood graining that is virtually identical to the real thing in feel and appearance.

The decorative ridges and deep graining in fiberglass doors can create the appearance of wood that many homeowners desire.

Performance between these doors varies. Stay away from cheap fiberglass doors if possible, as they may crack and fall apart (especially in cold weather). Additionally, their finished may deteriorate quickly and the inner cores could rot. If your budget only allows for a cheap door, consider investing in an inexpensive steel one first.

Steel

 Most steel doors have surfaces of heavy-gauge galvanized steel that has been embossed with a wood-grain pattern. Some types feature a wood-fiber coating that allows them to be stained and some high-end doors may even have real-wood veneer laminated to their surfaces.

Conventional steel doors are factory primed with a baked-on polyester finish; they generally require periodic repainting. Some have a vinyl coating for greater weather resistance. All of them have an inner frame made of wood or steel. The gauge of the steel indicates its strength; the higher the number, the thinner the steel . While 24-guage steel doors are common, they should be considered temporary, due to the fact that they can rust and fall apart.  For a long-term fix, look for at least a 22-gauge door, which offers thicker steel that won’t bend or flex and holds paint well.

If security and durability are your top priorities, a steel door might be your best choice, a steel door is far stronger than either fiberglass or wood and it won’t crack, warp or fall apart.

Despite which option you choose, there are both well-built and poorly-constructed versions of any door. To ensure a durable door, be sure to choose a reputable manufacturing company whose products have received good reviews. If you plan to stay in your home long-term, select a reputable contractor to work with rather than opting for an inexpensive door from the big box store.

Just Say "No" to Estimates Over the Telephone

With the convenience of today’s technology, some homeowners want to get price quotes on new windows via the internet or by calling a company on the telephone. Never trust a company who is willing to give you a quote this way. Many companies will throw out a low price to “bait” you into scheduling a home appointment with them, and then “switch” your low estimate to one that is much higher when they find “issues they were unaware of " upon arriving at your home.  That is because it is impossible to give clients a meaningful price range without discussing their needs and expectations, and taking into consideration the scope of the job.

Remember, there are a number of components that make up the final price of each job, and each job is unique. Don’t make the decision of which companies to actually invite to your home based on casual ballpark prices you receive over the phone. You should be making that decision based on the reputation of a company, not their prices. You need to understand, in detailed writing, exactly what you will be receiving for the money that you are spending. You may eventually decide to invest in a lower quality product or a company that provides less service, but that decision should be based on a thorough understanding of all of the facts.

What Determines the Price of New Windows?

The product and all of the available options, the method of installation, and the quality of installation are all determining factors included in the price of windows. Big differences in the types of warranties and service policies will also have a significant impact. In addition, the style of the windows being removed can vary the cost of window replacement significantly. For example, removing old metal windows is far more difficult and labor-intensive than removing old wood windows. The age and style of your home also will influence the price.  

Another important cost factor is the types of windows you want for your home. Non-operating picture windows are less expensive than operable double hung or sliding styles. Casements usually cost more than double hung or sliding windows. The size of the new windows and the level of insulating glass chosen also play a large part in determining cost. Pre-made big-box-store windows are typically less expensive than custom-made products, although in the long run, with the necessary interior and exterior cosmetic work required to make pre-made windows “fit” a home, it’s highly doubtful that pre-made windows are truly less expensive than custom windows.  

Then there are the costs to the company that sells and installs the windows. The costs of doing business and staying profitable will always exist. You should expect to pay a fair price so these companies can do a professional job installing your windows without cutting corners. Most homeowners don’t mind paying more than originally expected for a home improvement project, as long as they know the reasons for the higher costs. However, by paying more, expectations will be higher. You should expect high quality products, installation, and service. The phrases “cheap” or “lowest price” should not be important when you’re making a large investment for your home. You will get what you pay for -- in terms of product quality, the appropriate options and glass you should have, the quality of work in installing the windows, and even the quality of the company with which you’re doing business. Do you homework up front and make an informed choice.

Understanding U-Value

One common question that we receive from homeowners who are educating themselves on replacement windows is about U-value and what it is. U-value (or U-factor) is the measure of the window's ability to conduct heat—in other words, the amount of heat transmitted through the window. The lower a window's U-value, the better the window is at insulating your home. Generally, heat will flow from the inside towards the outside during the winter. In the summer, it will flow from the outside to the inside. Most manufacturers have run NFRC (National Fenestration Rating Council) thermal performance tests on assembled units, which are a much better indicator of the unit’s overall performance, compared to glass or window frame values alone

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8 Signs It's Time to Replace Your Windows!

 There are many reasons to consider investing in new replacement windows for your home. You may want to consider replacing your windows if:

 *  Your windows aren't energy efficient, causing you to waste hard-earned money on your energy bills.

 *  Your existing windows look ugly.

 *  Your wooden window frames are rotting.

 *  You have excessive amounts of condensation and fading of furniture and draperies.

 *  You want to reduce maintenance because you’re tired of painting, staining, and caulking.

 *  You feel drafts of air while sitting near your current windows. 

*  You want to improve the appearance of your home. New windows can improve the look of your home both inside and out. Often, simply changing the window style can dramatically change the entire appearance of a room.

 *  You want to open your windows. Get more fresh air circulating in your house by replacing hard-to-open units with operable venting windows.

The Skinny on Sliding Glass Doors

Replacing sliding glass doors that are in older homes is a common home improvement project in Western Pennsylvania. Sliding glass doors are similar to picture windows that you can walk through. They are typically huge panes of glass mounted in a frame with rollers, and are manufactured from either vinyl, aluminum, wood, or some combination of two of these things. 

 Sliding glass doors are often one of the most inefficient areas in an older home, mostly because they were installed before technology allowed for improvements in available building materials and the high price of energy made efficiency a major priority. In fact, having an older sliding glass door that faces in the wrong direction is almost like having no barrier there at all!

Replacing your sliding glass door can not only enhance your home’s appearance, but increase its energy efficiency as well. Based on the old style aluminum frame, double-panel sliding door, sliding glass doors have received a bad reputation, but many improvements have been made to significantly increase energy efficiency. Most new sliding glass doors are made with the same energy efficiency standards and options that are available in today’s cutting edge windows, including low-emissivity coatings, and double-glazing glass panels with gas filling. Thanks to these innovations, the energy efficiency and air tightness of glass is now higher than ever and the outside noise you notice inside your home will be dramatically decreased as well!