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Do you take the exterior doors of your home for granted? When was the last time you thought about your doors, aside from that time you forgot your keys or when you were trying to decide which color you should repaint it? If you aren’t serious about your doors, it’s high time you pay more attention to them. Your exterior doors serve as your home’s focal point—they are the first thing people see when they pass by your home, which means they have the potential to make or break your curb appeal. There’s more to your exterior doors than just how they look, though. Functionality, durability and security are all other things you should consider if you’re planning to install new doors. To make the most of your door installation project, we’ve created a comprehensive guide to answer all your basic questions about this type of home renovation.
PART 1: The Why’s - Reasons to Invest in New Doors Investing in replacement doors is one of the smartest decisions you can make for your home. Aside from increased performance and aesthetics, new units also help improve other aspects of your home, making it more livable and enjoyable. Have you considered replacing yours? What are the things holding you back? If you need help to get the ball rolling for your much-needed door upgrade, you’ve come to the right place. Here, we list some of the top reasons you should invest in door replacement. • Enhanced Home Appearance – Installing new exterior doors is a cost-effective way to update the look of your home without tackling a major home remodel. More than just the focal point of your home’s entry, your doors also have the important ability of giving your property a distinct look that reflects your own style and personality. Today, a wide array of door replacements are available on the market, offering lots of customization options. Popular styles, such as French doors, suit every architectural styling, complete with grille patterns, decorative glass and more. Additionally, newer doors arrive pre-finished in virtually any color to suit your preferences perfectly.
• Increased Home Value – The 2018 Cost vs. Value report by Remodeling Magazine indicates that for an entry door replacement that costs $1,471, a homeowner can recover as much as 91.3% of total costs, which translates to over $1,300 return on investment. Even if you’re not planning to put your house on the market in the near future, having an increased home value can instill you with a greater sense of pride. • Improved Security – Recent technological innovations have made today’s exterior doors safer and more secure than their predecessors. Quality steel and fiberglass doors, for instance, are all designed with the homeowner’s safety in mind, ensuring you get the utmost benefits in terms of security, thanks to advanced locking capabilities that surpass those of older door designs.
• Higher Energy Efficiency – Lastly, new doors have better thermal properties, allowing them to keep heat in during winter and out during summer. Most of the options today come with advanced foam insulation, weatherstripping, and low-emmisivity (low-E) glass that help homeowners save money on energy costs by improving r the home’s overall thermal envelope. ooooo
Now that you know why door replacement should be among your top choices for home improvement, we’ll proceed to answering your next question: Who should you hire for the installation? Find out in the second part of this ebook!
PART 2: The Who’s - Choosing a Reliable Door Installer When it’s time to install new exterior doors in place of your existing ones, finding a reputable professional that offers high-quality materials and workmanship is important. How do you know if you’re getting the best replacement doors and installation services? Make sure the door contractor you choose possesses the following characteristics: • Licensed and Insured – Before hiring a contractor, be sure to look for their state license and insurance policies first. These credentials are strong proof that your chosen contractor meets the stringent requirements set by authorities, allowing them to work on your home professionally. They also make sure you won’t be held liable for any accidents or mishaps that may happen during the installation process. • Experienced – A company with plenty of professional experience fixing and installing doors is in a position to handle your needs, no matter the scope of your project. With years of experience in the industry, they have what it takes to replace old doors properly, ensuring the installation goes off without a hitch.
• Factory-Certified – Aside from years of experience, make sure your door installer has been certified by the door manufacturer of your choice, guaranteeing they are specifically knowledgeable in handling the product to be installed. Certified door installers are trained by manufacturers themselves, so you won’t have anything to worry about. • Locally Based – Door installation companies operating in your local area are your best bet because they care about their reputation in the community. This means they are committed to performing their best, careful that they don’t tarnish their image and hurt their business with bad products and poor craftsmanship. Additionally, you know exactly where to find them, simplifying fixing issues, should any arise during and after the installation.
There will be more than a handful of door installers available to you but there can only be one right for you and your home. Take the time to go over your options and make sure they possess these four characteristics to guarantee your door installation project will be in good hands. ooooo
How do you prepare your home for your upcoming new door installation? Check out the last part of this ebook for some handy expert tips!
PART 3: The How’s - Preparing Your Home For Door Installation Deciding to invest in a remodel, such as door replacement, is a big deal, and there are many things you should do to prepare for the undertaking, including getting your home ready. Without proper planning and careful consideration, your project may end up a mess, affecting not only your family, but your neighbors as well. This can cause property damage and even misunderstanding with the people close to you. To help you avoid all that trouble, below are some of our best tips for preparing your home (and your neighborhood) for your door upgrade this season: • Prepare yourself mentally. While home remodeling can be fun, some stages of the process will require you to make hard decisions, so you need to be sure you’re mentally prepared. The early phases of the process can be exciting, such as choosing the right materials and colors, but once the installation phase starts, you need to invest a lot of your hard work and decision-making efforts to ensure a successful outcome. Keep in mind that the installation is always loud and messy, so you may need to adjust day-to-day activities until all the replacements have been installed successfully.
• Get ready for the mess and noise. If you and your family are not at home during the day, there won’t be any problem. If you’re at home, however, you will need to set up temporary space away from the areas being worked on. It’s also important to inform your neighbors about the upcoming job even before the installation starts so they can prepare their own homes and families for the noise. • Move vulnerable items away from the job site. Before starting the installation, be sure that all your wall hangings, furniture and other valuable items are away from the job site. This will ensure they are protected throughout the entire process. It’s also smart to store items you don’t need in the garage or basement to prevent your living spaces from becoming overly cramped. • Keep children and pets away from the construction area. When it comes to doing construction jobs in your home, it’s always better to be safe than sorry. Door replacement makes use of tools and materials that may be harmful to your kids and pets, so during construction, make sure they are always in a safe place away from the site.
If the exterior doors of your home are broken, damaged or no longer meeting your needs, it’s time to consider getting replacements. With a better understanding of the vital elements of the process and a review of this three-part guide, you can make more informed decisions about your upcoming door upgrade, helping ensure its success.
Renewal by Andersen of Denver 1401 West Bayaud Avenue #5, Denver, CO 80223 (303) 823-4312 www.loveyourwindows.com