The focal point of a home’s exterior is the front entry, and especially the door. Whether you’re giving your home a facelift or making your home more energy efficient, you have a lot to think about when it comes to picking your front door. Two common materials used are wood and composite.
Composite
When it comes to resisting fungal growth, insects and rot, composite is a good way to go. Because the material is so resilient, it’s ideal for areas with high humidity and which get a lot of moisture, like low-lying areas and the northern side of homes.
Wood
Although composite is a great option, wood is ideal for most situations, too. In fact, if you would like to install a storm door, you would need to install a wood frame instead of the composite option.
When wood rots, it’s not necessarily because of a fault in the door. The moisture usually comes from damaged flashing or leaks above the door. Because wood is porous, the moisture tends to seep through the naturally occurring channels, and rot happens from there. Pro Via, a brand that Window Outfitters Inc offers, goes the extra mile to make sure their pine doors are sealed properly.
Because Pro Via contractors are trained to extend the frame’s threshold further than many other companies, their doors are far less likely to succumb to rot. This is because water won’t have the chance to contact with the wood fibers.
Process
Reputable contractors like Window Outfitters are knowledgeable and competent when it comes to installing all types of doors. Composite doors, for example, have unique needs in the installation process. Of course, shims must be installed behind hinges and installation screws, but these frames need more fastening points. They also need five screws instead of the three required for wooden frames. When choosing a door contractor, consider selecting one who is recommended or certified by the door manufacturer.
Finishing
The final process is what adds the professional touch to any job. The inside of the door should be painted or stained to match the interior decorations and Pro Via suggests that PVC aluminum cladding should be installed on the outside. This cladding reinforces wood’s durability, and ensures that both types of doors match the home’s exterior as well.
If you’re replacing your front door and can’t make up your mind, please feel free to call us for a free, no-obligation visit to our product showroom so you can see for yourself the beautiful options you have.
Window Outfitters is a premier Window Replacement, doors, siding contractor and installer. As Contractor in the St Paul, Minneapolis, (Twin Cities) Minnesota (MN) metro, we proudly serve, but are not limited to, the following areas: Minneapolis Energy Efficient Vinyl Windows, Replacement Window Contractors Minnesota, Burnsville, Apple Valley, Lakeville, Savage, Bloomington, Edina, Richfield, Eagan, St Paul, Hastings, Minnetonka, Plymouth, Maple Grove, Eden Prairie, Farmington MN, Chaska, Shakopee, Chanhassen, Victoria, Mendota Heights Anderson Windows Minneapolis, Marvin Windows Minneapolis.
