Doors : Which Type Do You Need?
Tuesday, July 27th, 2010Without even giving it much thought, we use the doors in our house a lot. New doors can either be a valuable addition, or a hindrance, based on the size, shape, materials, how well they are made, and how well they fit. Instead of installing cheap doors that are too heavy or don’t close or open properly, why not put in the time effort to get and fit ones that don’t cause you any problems. It’s certainly worthwhile to do so.When we take a little extra time to consider all the options, materials, colors, and styles of our home’s exterior doors, they can say a lot about our home and its characteristics. Let’s face it - they are the first thing guests sees when they come over. Of course, a nice sturdy door not only looks pleasing, it holds up to constant use, the elements, and even keeps us safe from break-in attempts.There are some things to keep in mind when picking out exterior doors. The materials and finish of the door are important, but not as much as durability. Take glass doors. Although they may seem like a poor choice, some of today’s glass doors are exceptionally well-built with shatter-proof glass. Wood doors, on the other hand, may seem like a logical choice at first. If made of softwood like pine or fir, however, they are not likely to hold up. Proper weather strips, and the width and thickness of the door’s rails and stiles, are also essential aspects to consider.
Thermal insulated doors constructed of fiberglass or steel are ideal for colder climates. A quality fiberglass or steel designed door will more thoroughly guard the homeowner against freezing temps and blustery snow and wind storms. With these specially insulated doors, frost and water damage is far less likely to attack your home and cause property damage over an extended period of time.Interior doors are also important, as much for reasons of appearance and functionality. The four biggest kinds are folding, pocket, bypass, and conventional hinged doors. Actually folding open and unfolding closed like a paper fan, folding doors work in tight spots where regular doors cannot freely swing open. They are generally used in large closets with shelving close to the door, or for other areas where space is limited.Also for closets and other such storage spaces is the pocket door. This type of singular door is hung by tiny wheels from a track, in which the door moves in either direction, sliding into a specific opening in your wall. Using a similar set of tracks, bypass doors are used for the same purposes. Bypass doors, however, consist of more than one door per set, each running on separate tracks, passing either in front of or behind one another to open and close.
In short, proper planning and preparation is the key - getting the right doors the first time means not having to spend a fortune on repairs or replacements, not to mention the time it takes to install them. Get all the specific measurements you need prior to installation to ensure a suitable and efficient fit. Paying attention to the door’s specifications, and appearance, will help you to get the best doors for your home that you can enjoy for years to come!
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