Central Keystone Living - Fall 2017 - 29

hether you are building new or replacing an existing unit,
the entry door to your home is a focal point and serves
as an expression of your style. With so many options, selecting the best entry door for your project can seem like
a daunting task. However, with some research and consultations
with knowledgeable door representatives, the process can yield
a well-performing and great looking entry door for your home.

Types of Doors
Several options are available in entry door construction, each with
benefits and drawbacks associated with the materials used and
how they are built.
Steel: Steel doors are generally constructed of a rigid foam core
wrapped in galvanized steel. The steel gauge, or thickness, usually
ranges from 24-16 (the lower the number, the thicker the steel)
and can be smooth or faux wood grained. Stock steel doors are
generally the least expensive option for entry doors but with beefier
construction, heavier gauge steel, and higher quality finishes, the
doors become more expensive. Denting and pitting can be common,
especially on thinner gauge doors. Styles can be limited and they
tend to have a colder, more industrial design feel. However, steel
doors do offer increased security and longevity and are typically
very low maintenance.
Fiberglass: As the most common entry door material today, fiberglass
doors offer strength, low maintenance, great thermal performance,
and a plethora of design options. They are constructed by wrapping
fiberglass skins around a wood frame with a foam fill. Doors can
be smooth or textured, with several wood species grain patterns
available including oak, cherry, mahogany, and fir. The fiberglass
can be stained or painted. Pricing can range widely dependent upon
quality of construction and options, specifically in glass.
Wood: Wood doors are constructed using solid or engineered rails
and stiles covered with a wood veneer. Panels can be solid, engineered, or composite materials. Wood doors provide architectural
detail not easily achieved with other materials. Most manufacturers
recommend a minimum 3 foot by 3 foot overhang over the door
opening, to limit weather and sun exposure. Aesthetically, wood
doors are warm and offer a wide variety of design options. They
do, however, require regular maintenance and can be costly when
looking at high quality options.
Wood-Clad: As an alternative to the traditional front door, if you
are looking for more glass and the beauty and benefits of a wood
interior, but without the maintenance of the wood exterior, several
exterior clad options are available on the market. These units are
generally provided by window manufacturers and offer full-lite glass
doors, with minimal rail and stile construction. Vinyl, composite,
fiberglass, and aluminum-clad versions are all readily available and
offer lower exterior maintenance options than a full wood door.
Costs can range depending upon manufacturer and the quality of
materials and construction. Fiberglass and aluminum-clad versions are
generally higher performing, but also have a higher associated cost.

Glass Options
Although single pane glass panels are available, most homeowners
choose doors with insulated glass options, allowing them to build
the best performing unit for their region. Both double and triple
pane insulated glass options are available with most manufacturers.
Low-emissivity, or LowE, layers on insulated glass surfaces help to
control heat transfer. LowE coatings lower the U-factor of the glass
, thus making it more energy efficient. Inert gasses such as argon
and krypton can be used between the panes of glass to improve
the thermal performance of the window. Other glass coatings such
as tints and reflective layers can help to address the visible light
transmittance inside the home.
When homeowners want to keep light, but are concerned about
privacy, most manufacturers offer several privacy glass options like
obscure, etched, and other whole glass patterns. Decorative glass
options are also common in entry doors and can range in detail
and intricacy. Decorative glass options tend to have the greatest
impact on door cost.

HarrisburgBuilders.com

http://www.HarrisburgBuilders.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Central Keystone Living - Fall 2017