Choosing an Entry Door Material
Fiberglass
Resists dents, does not rot and can mimic wood grain convincingly. It handles humidity well, which makes it our most frequent recommendation.
Steel
Strong and budget-friendly. The skin can dent and should be kept painted to prevent rust, especially where it meets the threshold.
Wood
Beautiful and traditional, but it needs regular finishing and a covered entry to avoid swelling in humid weather.
When a Storm Door Makes Sense
A storm door adds a layer of protection for a primary door that takes direct sun and blowing rain, and a screen option lets breezes in during mild months. On a south- or west-facing entry, check the manufacturer's guidance, because heat can build between a full-glass storm door and the primary door. We help you pick a style that ventilates properly.
Security Details Worth Upgrading
- Longer strike-plate screws that reach the wall framing
- Reinforced strike plates and quality deadbolts
- Laminated or tempered glass in sidelites and door lites
- Hinge screws that anchor into the studs
These are small additions during installation that make forced entry much harder. Smart locks and video doorbells can be prepped at the same time, and we make sure the bore holes and edge prep match the hardware you choose so nothing has to be modified later.
Installation That Seals for Years
Many drafty doors are actually fine doors installed poorly. The giveaways are daylight at the corners, a latch you have to lift or push to engage and a threshold that feels soft underfoot. We check the rough opening for rot, install a pan or sill flashing under the threshold, set the unit plumb and square, insulate the gap with low-expansion foam and adjust weatherstripping until it closes smoothly. Proper weather sealing keeps humid air and rain where they belong. For patio and sliding doors, see our Canton window and door services, and Ridgeland homeowners can review door options for Ridgeland and Gluckstadt.
Common Questions
How long does a front door replacement take?
Most single entry doors are installed in a day. Doors with sidelites, transoms or rot repair in the opening can take longer.
Can I replace just the door slab instead of the whole unit?
Sometimes, but a prehung unit with a new frame and threshold usually seals far better, especially if the old frame is worn or out of square.
Will a new door lower my energy bills?
An insulated fiberglass or steel door with good weatherstripping can reduce drafts noticeably compared with an old, poorly sealed door. Savings vary by home.
Do you install doors from Pella?
Yes. We install Pella and other quality brands and help you compare styles, glass options and finishes.