subject: How To Go About Choosing Wood Entry Doors [print this page] Entry doors are more important than people give them credit for. It's the first thing people will see when they visit you, and it's what you'll be greeted by every time you return home. Whether you're building a new home or just don't like the door to your already-built house, there are certain steps you should take when deciding on an entry door.
Before you make any decisions, if you're buying a new entry door for an already-built house, study the architecture and style of the building to make sure you choose a door that complements it and doesn't look odd. Do research on different styles to get ideas about what might look good on your home.
Now, decide whether you want a solid wood door or one with a hollow core. A hollow core, which is made of fiberboards with gaps in them, will be less expensive and more lightweight; however, they're not as sturdy. You have more of a choice of wood when it comes to solid doors, which are typically more attractive than hollow core doors.
Next, figure out what kind of wood you want to use. Since this door will be exposed to the elements, you want something that can withstand potentially harmful weather conditions (more on that below). Mahogany is one of the more desirable building woods, because it's stronger and less knotted than most other types of wood while still maintaining a pleasing aesthetic. Look into Honduras mahogany specifically, which is true mahogany. Other types of mahogany, like Philippine and African, aren't actually mahogany and are advertised as such just for importing and exporting purposes. Teak is another very desirable choice, though it's commonly unfinished and can look rough; it's also usually more expensive than other woods. White oak is another good option, especially when used with a mahogany frame.
Then, decide on what kind of paneling you'd like. You can get plain or embellished; many people enjoy embellished wood, which can add flair of style to an otherwise plain or monochromatic home, though a plain door can look just as nice with the right finish. Another easy way to make a plain door more stylish is by getting fancy handle and bracket set, which might be the best route if you have a lot going on with the front of your house (shutters, bright curtains in the windows, loud shrubbery, etc.)
Take into consideration the sort of weather conditions your area is susceptible to. Wood doors, which, depending on where you live can be subject to extreme heat, rain, sleet, hale and snow, are likely to expand and contract throughout the year; fiberboard panels will help minimize any expansions and contractions. Today's construction technology tends to allow doors to be more weatherproof, but you can expect to perform fairly regular maintenance on them to repair chips and cracks.
Choosing an entry door shouldn't be a source of stress follow these easy steps and make it a piece of cake!
