I need opinions on a front door replacement!

September 04, 2020, 06:51 AM

Hey Guys. Its time in the old Casa for a new front entrance door to our home. I am thinking we like the "sidelights" ( I think its what you call the window areas on each side of the door". I want to replace the Door, Sidelights and Jam for a new entrance. I am considering Home Depot and Lowes. Can I get some feedback or things I need to know. It currently looks like this.... the old one....https://imgur.com/a/9gRGbuU

Thanks to all in advance!!!

September 04, 2020, 06:53 AM

irreverent

I’m not sure what you’re trying to show but I see no image. I’m also considering a new front door, so I’m curious to see what responses you’ll get.
ETA: Now I see it. Looks beautiful!

September 04, 2020, 06:54 AM

sybo

You are just too quick

September 04, 2020, 07:02 AM

jimmy123x

I don't like the sidelights because it makes it that much easier to break in. IF, I was going that route I'd have it made with impact windows (hurricane) as they're much much stronger and very very hard to break in through.

September 04, 2020, 07:53 AM

mrvmax

I had my front double doors replaced by Lowe’s and the rear sliding glass replaced by french doors also through Lowe’s. These were not cheap doors and I spent around five grand replacing them. Do not use the box stores. I selected Jeld Wen since they were supposed to be quality doors. After numerous warranty issues the Jeld Wen district guru of some sort told me the doors through Lowe’s are not the same grade/quality as their normal doors. He was quitting and moving on to a new job otherwise I doubt he would have admitted that. I’m still having trouble with them several years later.

One thing to consider, my old front double doors could have easily been kicked in. The new ones open out and have NRP hinge pins. It adds a layer of security.

September 04, 2020, 07:55 AM

smlsig

Look into Thermatru fiberglass doors..

https://www.thermatru.com/

You can get them prestained if you want and come with a pretty good warranty.

Regarding the sidelights (yes, that’s what they’re called). You can get ones that are only half glass to provide slightly more security.

Also, be sure to get their composite frames..
https://www.thermatru.com/expl...omposite-door-frame/

Finally, I suggest you go to a lumber yard that can give you knowledgeable advise. A quick search shows this company near you..

http://dealer.thermatru.com/da...6344419/nashville-tn

September 04, 2020, 08:26 AM

radioman

quote:
Originally posted by mrvmax:

The new ones open out and have NRP hinge pins. It adds a layer of security.

Where can I get the NRP hinge pins? I've been searching and haven't found any that would do any good.

September 04, 2020, 08:36 AM

a1abdj

quote:
Where can I get the NRP hinge pins? I've been searching and haven't found any that would do any good.

If the hinges on your doors are good, and you don't want to mess with replacing them, and you're handy, you can make them yourself.

Small drill, small tap, small set screw. Drill through the hinge and into the pin in the portion of the hinge covered while the door is closed. Tap that hole and run the set screw in.

To the OP, I have also gone through this recently. I found the discussion area of houzz.com to be an outstanding resource.

September 04, 2020, 08:42 AM

rburg

An old racer friend once said "speed costs money, boy. How fast do you want to go?"

Its a truism that seems to hold for many things.

Steel is stronger than wood. Yes, quality doesn't come cheap. Educate yourself, go to any number of suppliers and upscale hardware dealers. One thing you must remember, its fairly easy to break in an inward opening door. Can be really hard to push in an outward opening door. The problem I see with your photo is the thin uprights you need to depend on for securing both the hinges and locks/latches. You can't get long screws because before long starts, you're into glass on both.

Its where style conflicts with strength. If you want both, the third leg, cost, goes up dramatically.

September 04, 2020, 08:48 AM

MikeinNC

Our old house was like yours with the two sidelights....when we had our new house built We got rid of the sidelights...for security reasons. Also I replaced two of three screws in each hinge with a four inch screw-so they get into some framing and you can’t kick it. Same thing with the back door and garage entrances...

You can’t prevent everything, but you can make it harder for a burglar to get in. We have obvious cameras, security sign, dog, I’ve hardened the doors, and I plan on putting some security film on the windows next.

September 04, 2020, 09:06 AM

sgalczyn

quote:
Originally posted by smlsig:
Look into Thermatru fiberglass doors..

https://www.thermatru.com/

You can get them prestained if you want and come with a pretty good warranty.

Regarding the sidelights (yes, that’s what they’re called). You can get ones that are only half glass to provide slightly more security.

Also, be sure to get their composite frames..
https://www.thermatru.com/expl...omposite-door-frame/

Finally, I suggest you go to a lumber yard that can give you knowledgeable advise. A quick search shows this company near you..

http://dealer.thermatru.com/da...6344419/nashville-tn

Great quality on the ThermaTru.
Just be aware - if you plan to have a full storm door/glass in front of it - AND the door has a South-SouthWest exposure - there will be significant heat buildup that can cause issues with any fiberglass door.

I regard to sidelights - use a keyed-both-sides deadbolt for extra security - and keep keey in proximity to the door for exit needs.

September 04, 2020, 09:34 AM

sig operator

I am a therma-tru fiberglass door fan also. If the door frame is exposed to rain or snow, then composite frame is the way to go.
Around here some glass companies sell doors also. They have local installers and people they work with, and can give good advice. You are limited by the rough opening size as to what is practical to put in.

There are many bad experience stories with big box installers.

September 04, 2020, 06:01 PM

drill sgt

When replacing wooden exterior as well as interior doors make sure that ALL 6 (six) surfaces are sealed (painted) properly . Especially if door is cut down for height size and bottom edge must be sealed again because it will wick up water/moisture causing wood to early rot/failure. Also if you purchase a wooden door be they store bought or custom made be very sure that you get the type of wood that you paid for especially if is to be stain grade or even paint grade. >>>>>>>>>>> Ask me why I said this. Retired cabinet maker 30+yrs. Built custom ordered doors and had numerous doors returned for repairs/rebuilds due to improper installations for not properly sealing at installation. Saw several of the failures in less than 2 years for not properly installed/sealed/ and protected fro the weather. Also the end customer would get upset when they found out that the product was not what the ordered thru their contractor but our records proved they got what was ordered by their contractor. Example== customer ordered stain grade mahogany but contractor ordered sapalla which to the untrained eye is easily passed for mahogany and the contractor pocketed the price difference. Be vigilant and make sure that you get what you ordered and payed for. .......................... drill sgt.

September 04, 2020, 06:35 PM

mrvmax

quote:
Originally posted by drill sgt:
When replacing wooden exterior as well as interior doors make sure that ALL 6 (six) surfaces are sealed (painted) properly . Especially if door is cut down for height size and bottom edge must be sealed again because it will wick up water/moisture causing wood to early rot/failure. Also if you purchase a wooden door be they store bought or custom made be very sure that you get the type of wood that you paid for especially if is to be stain grade or even paint grade. >>>>>>>>>>> Ask me why I said this. Retired cabinet maker 30+yrs. Built custom ordered doors and had numerous doors returned for repairs/rebuilds due to improper installations for not properly sealing at installation. Saw several of the failures in less than 2 years for not properly installed/sealed/ and protected fro the weather. Also the end customer would get upset when they found out that the product was not what the ordered thru their contractor but our records proved they got what was ordered by their contractor. Example== customer ordered stain grade mahogany but contractor ordered sapalla which to the untrained eye is easily passed for mahogany and the contractor pocketed the price difference. Be vigilant and make sure that you get what you ordered and payed for. .......................... drill sgt.

Which reminds me, I bought the Jeld Wen with their wood that’s not supposed to rot. When my door sill rotted I looked through my warranty and found out that wood was everywhere but on the sill - the one place it needed to be.

September 04, 2020, 07:09 PM

comet24

The best advice I can give you is to find a good installer. A high-end door installed poorly is going to be a poorly install the door for years to come. A low-end door installed properly will work well for years.

Stay away from having a box store install it. You have no idea who is going to be sent out to install it.

September 04, 2020, 09:26 PM

drill sgt

quote:
Originally posted by comet24:
The best advice I can give you is to find a good installer. A high-end door installed poorly is going to be a poorly install the door for years to come. A low-end door installed properly will work well for years.

Stay away from having a box store install it. You have no idea who is going to be sent out to install it.

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ One of the doors that I made was a very large front entrance door that was stain grade 6 glass panel with sidelight panels on both sides and a large eliptical sunburst style overhead transom. When it came time to deliver and install I went to shop foreman as well as company boss owner where I literally got on my knees and begged for installation duties but refused and reason was that i would end up in the hospital ER or in jail because the installation site was a sorority house on a university campus that was occupied by the sisters. Guess they thought that the scenery would hamper my installation. Go figure. Maybe they were right. .................................drill sgt.