The front door is one of the first things people see when they visit your home. It should enhance the look of your home and convey your good taste.

You might want to opt for something subtle or something more grandiose. It depends on your personality and the overall look of your home.

Here are some ideas including types of material that you might want to suggest to the contractor doing your renovation.

1. Fibreglass

Fibreglass doors offer all the beauty and versatility of a wooden door but with more durability.

These doors can resist extreme temperatures, in addition to being dent-resistant, corrosion-resistant and rustproof.

Fibreglass doesn’t expand or contract much with weather changes and can also be stained or painted.

More than that, Fibreglass doors are really good for security. It can be made from double or triple-layered glass panels to resist shattering during an attempted break-in.

The only drawback perhaps, is that it’s pricier than wooden and metal doors.

2. Metal

Metal doors on the other hand, are rather durable and do not cost that much. However, they cannot be stained, only painted.

Metal does not warp or crack from exposure to the elements nor do they require much maintenance save for some paint touch ups and rust prevention.

Good metal doors usually come with screens, which allow air circulation while preventing insects from entering your home.

A major disadvantage of metal doors is the need to install a metal doorframe, which requires the services of a qualified contractor. This invariably increases the cost, making it more expensive than a wooden door.

3. Wooden

Wooden doors come in a wide variety of colours, sizes and styles. Some are exotic, elaborate and beautiful, especially those from Morrocco and Bali.

It is best used in an entryway that is covered to protect the door from too much exposure to the elements.

When the right treatment is correctly applied, wooden doors can last over a hundred years.

Wood is also easily adapted to varying dimensions and shapes, and can be painted and repainted in different colours.

The negative aspects of a wooden door are that it is very much susceptible to twisting and warping, particularly in hot and humid tropical climates.

This in turn requires more maintenance work such as repainting and resealing gaps and exposed areas on the surface.

4. Aluminium

The aluminium door is one of the most commonly-used doors, offering a modern, clean look without a heavy price tag.

Aluminium doors are easy to maintain, requiring no more than wiping it with a wet sponge. You do not even need to paint the door to preserve its appearance.

You’ll need your renovation contractor to refer you to ironwork contractors to help you with this.

However, aluminium doors do oxidise, which you can spot as white residue and the appearance of a cavity where the oxidation occurs.

In addition, aluminium water stains easily, requiring more preventive and maintenance work.

Why not install the best door you can afford? After all, no one can put a price on security and peace of mind.

This article first appeared in kaodim.com

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