Your home’s exterior door tends to be other people’s first impression of your home. As the barrier that protects your indoor living space from the outdoor elements, your front door needs to be in tip-top condition. Unfortunately, this once functional and decorative piece can wear down. Over time, you may start noticing draughts and a reduction in your home’s aesthetic appeal.
It doesn’t matter how long you’ve been in your home for, there may come a point when it’s time to replace your front door. Understandably, replacing a front door can be expensive. However, the benefits speak for themselves. Here are some tell-tale signs to look out for which could indicate it’s time for a new door, as well as the advantages you’ll receive from doing so.
Noticeable Damage
Damage, warping or decay are all common signals that mean your front door needs replacing. Not only does a damaged door not look very appealing, but there’s also a potential security risk too. The last thing you want is for your safety to be compromised. While wooden doors can last for years and years (provided they’re maintained properly) they can be incredibly susceptible to environmental factors, which can cause rot or decay.
Regarding the longevity of timber, your front door can quickly build up moisture which is the primary root cause of decay, rot, or warping. Moisture can come in numerous forms. However, it’s predominately caused by damp environments or rainy weather. If you’re ready to replace your front door, look into local carpenters and joiners near you with the help of MyBuilder. They have a database of trustworthy local carpenters and joiners who can assist in designing and fitting a new front door for your property.
Difficult to Use
Let’s face it, there’s nothing more frustrating than trying to open a front door that takes a while to budge. If you find your front door isn’t opening or has poor movement, this is a clear sign it’s time to replace it. Over long periods of time, the day-to-day use of your front door can have a huge effect on longevity and result in restricted movement.
Your front door may begin sticking, glass panes may loosen, or the hinges may come off. All of these are warning signs that you need to take action. You don’t need your stress levels to go through the roof trying to open and close your front door. Instead, getting it replaced today will mean you’ve got a fully functioning door that serves its purpose well.
Low to No Temperature Control
During the autumn and winter months in particular, you’ll want to crank the central heating up to keep you and your loved ones warm and toasty. Should you find you’re still chilly and reaching for a blanket (even with the front door firmly closed), this could signal you’ve got a draught problem. Draughts can seep into the home and bring a chill into the air that no one wants to endure.
As your door gets older, you may begin noticing small draughts. If you’re not sure, it’s time to head to your front door to inspect. Check whether the draught excluders or wooden frames are the problem. If there are gaps between your front door and frame, it’s highly likely the door has misshapen due to environmental causes, age, or poor maintenance.
Single Glazed
While most properties these days have double-glazed doors, there are still a fair few that have single-glazed. The latter is a real concern for homeowners as it can threaten the security of your property. Other problems include issues with outdoor noise, heating, and condensation. Replacing a single-glazed door with a double-glazed one can solve these problems immediately.
If you live in an old property, you may be hesitant to get rid of single-glazed doors. However, it may be time to bring your home into the 21st century and replace it. There are undeniable benefits of switching to double glazing, especially when it comes to retaining heat.
Not Secure
If you know your front door isn’t secure, you shouldn’t put this to the back of your mind. We appreciate you have a load of things going on in everyday life. Although, ignoring a front door replacement could cause major problems later down the line. Simply put, an unsecured front door isn’t safe for your property, possessions, or anyone living in your home.
Unfortunately, vandalism and break-ins can and do happen regardless of where you live in the country. For that reason, you need to make sure your front door is up to scratch and has the best security features in place.
Your home’s front door says a lot about you the homeowner, and what’s on the inside of your property. Whether you have plans to sell up in the near future or your front door is simply looking unsightly and doesn’t blend well with the rest of your home’s exterior, now may be the time to consider replacing it.
