You probably already know you need a new entry door. If it’s sticking or is warped, lets the cold air in, or looks completely unattractive and worn, it is time to change it. When is the“best time” to change your exterior front door? When all your other renovations are done, you should install a new entry door. It is a detailed and costly product, and you want to protect it from revamp accidents.
The first thing you’ll notice about a new door, especially if you haven’t talked to anyone who has recently gone on a new door journey, is it is a downright significant investment. Of course, there are lesser-made versions of front doors, which may be perfectly fine for your purposes.
You may, and likely will need/want to, replace your current door frame, jambs, or threshold.
Most new doors come pre-hung with new hinges connected to a new frame. And this means you can change the swing direction of your door if it’s practical.
Your new door will likely be a custom order and may take a while to arrive. Read ‘How to Choose an Entry Door.’
If you are planning on future renovations or are currently taking on renovations in the interior of your home, save your worry and anxiety. Leave the entry door system as the final icing for your newly renovated (cake)/home.
New elements of a home renovation that can be nicked, dented, scratched, or broken, like flooring and (sometimes, windows), should be left until the end or protected with solid construction-grade paper.
“Even if you aren’t planning on renovating for a couple of years, it may make sense to live with your current entry system and avoid the chances of damaging, some would say, the focus of your home’s exterior.”
A handyman/woman worth their salt will be able to make a big difference in a for-now door and help get you through a year or two.
Cracking and separating: Use spray foam insulation, sand, and paint. Apply masking tape and plastic on both sides where you need to spray to protect adjacent finishes. Sand the spray foam or use an Exacto knife to achieve a degree of flatness and paint close to the door’s colour.
Warping and the ensuing cold air movement: Head to a big box store to take advantage of the many styles of weather stripping for both vertical edges and the lower door sweep to prevent the cold from entering.
Squeaking hinges or improperly hanging door: It may require removing the door to add spacers behind the hinges to achieve plumb: a good household oil or a spray lubricant might also suffice.
The door rubs along the floor or doesn’t close properly: The wood may have rotted behind the hinge screws, so installing longer screws will ensure they grab solid wood. The door can be removed and the lower portion planed off, although you should first do everything you can to ensure the door is hanging straight (or plumb).
If you would like to know more about replacing your door, read ‘Signs You Should Replace Your Exterior Door.’
