Tips for Deciding When To Replace a Front Door

Tips for Deciding When To Replace a Front Door from industry leader Therma Tru.

MAUMEE, OHIO – Homeowners looking to save on rising energy bills can start right at the front door. That’s the advice of experts at Therma-Tru Corp. who suggest evaluating your main entry door at least once a year to determine the status of the door’s operational capabilities and energy efficiency features.

“Every component of a home needs to be replaced at some point over time,” says Brad Johnson, vice president of marketing for Therma-Tru Corp. “Most homeowners can get years of service out of their front door, but there will come a time when a door needs to be replaced. That’s why it’s important to annually evaluate and maintain your main entryway.”  According to Johnson, there are several easy ways homeowners can determine when it’s time to consider a front door replacement.

Tip #1 – Open and close your doors — on both dry and wet, humid days. Make sure all the components operate smoothly. If your door doesn’t close securely, or fits tightly on humid days, then it’s most likely leaking air on dry days, causing the home to lose energy.

Tip #2 – Inspect the weather stripping around all sides of the front door to make sure it has not worn out. On a bright day, stand inside near your door and look for daylight flowing through the door perimeter. If light is coming in, then so most likely, is external air and possibly moisture. That means it’s time to determine if your foam-filled weatherstripping may have lost some of its compression, cracked or simply worn out.

Tip #3 – Examine your locks to make sure they operate smoothly and are strong enough to help protect your home. Multi-point locking systems, like those that can be requested on Therma-Tru® doors, offer exceptional peace-of-mind and security for the home.

Tip #4 – Reach out and touch your door on both hot and cold days. If you feel the exterior temperatures on the inside surface, then your door may not have adequate insulation. In this situation, consider upgrading the door with a replacement that is more energy efficient and has an ENERGY STAR® qualified rating for your geographic area. Order a multi-point locking system on your next door for a tighter fit against the weatherstripping, which can help provide even greater energy savings.

Tip #5 – Look at the appearance of your door. If you have a wood door, it may be warping or rotting after years of service. A steel door can get dinged and rust over time. And, it’s possible that the style of the door simply doesn’t match up with the design of your home. These are all red flags that it’s time to replace your front door.

What to Look for in a New Door

According to the American Architectural Manufacturers Association (AAMA), fiberglass products are known for their reliability, customization aspects for style design, and energy efficiency.  Fiberglass doors have an abundance of features outlined here by the AAMA.

Constructed as a complete system of components, Therma-Tru fiberglass doors are designed and engineered to work together for lasting performance, security and energy efficiency. Multi-point locking systems that engage a series of locks at several places on the frame, plus the adjustable security strike plate that can withstand up to three times the force of a standard strike plate, are key factors in creating a dependable Therma-Tru entry door system.

Homeowners looking for durability in their doors can also rely on the Tru-Defense® Door System. This system maximizes the seal between the door and the frame to help keep out the damaging effects of wind and rain, while helping to increase energy efficiency. Within this optional upgrade system, the weatherstripping, corner seal pad, door bottom sweep and profiled sill all work together to provide a door system that can withstand severe weather conditions along with day-to-day family activity.

About Therma-Tru

Therma-Tru is the leading entry door brand most preferred by builders and remodelers. Founded in 1962, Therma-Tru pioneered the fiberglass entry door industry, and today offers a complete portfolio of entry and patio door system solutions, including decorative glass doorlites, sidelites and transoms, and door components. The company also offers low-maintenance Fypon® urethane and PVC products. Headquartered in Maumee, Ohio, Therma-Tru is part of Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc. For more information and product warranty details, visit www.thermatru.com or call (800) 537-8827.