Front entry doors Houston TX should look beautiful and match your design aesthetic, but also be durable enough to withstand weather and provide ironclad security. There are many options to choose from, so take the time to select the right one for your home. Look for a door with a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor, which is important in Texas’ warm climate.
Aluminum
Aluminum front doors are durable options for homeowners looking to balance beauty and performance. They protect homes from the elements, help reduce energy costs, and are easy to customize with a variety of color and style choices. Wood exterior doors offer the most options for personalization but may require more maintenance like refinishing or repainting than other materials.
Steel front doors are corrosion-resistant and durable, making them a great choice for Texas climates. They’re also insulating and can prevent air leaks and outside noise. However, they can become hot in direct sunlight and need to be kept shaded to avoid rusting or damage to the surface.
Glass-paneled front doors offer a dramatic look and let in natural light. They’re available in a range of obscure glass choices for added privacy. Low-E insulated glass is standard and helps to reduce energy usage and costs. Fiberglass front doors are dent-resistant and have an energy efficient U-factor. They also have a low solar heat gain coefficient and a high thermal resistance.
Wood
Wood doors add a touch of sophistication and luxury to your home’s exterior. Crafted from quality hardwoods like mahogany and knotty alder, these doors are durable and long-lasting, able to stand up to the elements over time. They also come in a wide variety of styles to match any architectural design or style preference.
In addition to providing timeless beauty and durability, wooden entry doors offer energy efficiency by minimizing heat transfer between the interior of your home and the outside. The two numbers used to rate a door’s energy efficiency are its Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) and U-Factor. The SHGC measures how easily the door allows sunlight to heat up a room, while the U-Factor measures its ability to block heat from the sun from entering the room. You want both of these numbers to be low, as this will help keep your home cool in the summer and warm in the winter.
Wrought Iron
Wrought iron is a malleable and rust-resistant variant of iron that’s produced by adding slag to liquid iron, reducing its carbon content. The metal can then be heated, hammered and rolled with tools to create the desired shape. Its strength, hardness and durability make it a superior choice for use in decorative elements like gates and fences.
There are a few ways metal workers can test whether something is made from wrought iron or steel, including the spark test (wrought iron will produce red sparks while steel will throw white) and the break test, which reveals that wrought iron has a fibrous appearance while steel breaks with smooth fractures. However, both wrought iron and steel require regular maintenance to keep them free of rust and corrosion.
Both wrought iron and steel are durable materials that can withstand the elements for decades with proper care. However, if you’re looking for an iron option that requires less maintenance and is more resistant to corrosion, consider stainless steel.
Multi-Point Locks
A multipoint lock is an enhanced security system that adds additional protection for your door panel, including a deflector plate that protects the frame from intrusions. A multipoint lock also helps form a better seal against the elements, improving insulation and energy efficiency. These systems are more expensive than deadbolt applications, but for many homeowners they’re worth the extra investment.
With a turn of a key or handle, these locks engage at multiple points, providing a stronger, more secure door. Their even force distribution also reduces the chance of your doors sagging or warping over time.
These locks can work with any style of door, and they’re compatible with most off-the-shelf hardware. However, changing them requires the modification of existing bore holes, which makes this a project best left to professionals. Moreover, they may be more difficult to repair and maintain than traditional single-point locks. For these reasons, it’s a good idea to consider multipoint locks only when you’re considering replacing your door panels.