The lifespan of an exterior door can vary dramatically. Depending on the type of door, the climate you live in, how it’s treated and taken care of, and more, a door could last anywhere from 20-100 years. This can make it a little difficult to know when it’s time to update your doors.  

Sometimes, it comes down to necessity, but often, replacing your entry doors is more of a personal choice.  

While you may just be planning to update your front door, it’s worth considering replacing the other exterior doors as well. That way, you can keep consistent styles, materials, and general quality. How ever many exterior doors you’re considering replacing, these are some of the best time to do it. 

When They’re Broken, Outdated, and/or All Around Unattractive 

It might sound a little obvious, but if you have a door that’s broken and struggling to do its job, it’s probably time to replace the door. Doors are a key piece of home security. They also help maintain the temperature inside your home. Even if the door isn’t technically “broken”, it may be at a point where it’s unsightly due to wear, rust, cracking, or a very outdated design. 

All of these are perfectly legitimate reasons to update your exterior door. 

When You’re Updated Your Home’s Exterior 

Are you doing a major overhaul of your home’s exterior? You might be putting up new siding or changing the landscaping or changing colors or all of the above. The more drastic the home makeover is, the more you should consider updating your doors as well. The last thing you want is for your upgraded exterior to be dragged down by outdated entry doors. 

Before Selling Your Home 

The condition and quality of your exterior doors has a major impact on curb appeal, especially for potential buyers. While a fresh coat of paint might brighten up the appearance from afar, it doesn’t have the same impact up close. Door replacements might seem like a notable expense for a home you’re getting ready to sell, but they could essentially pay for themselves by raising the value of your home.  

Before Winter 

Are you noticing drafts when you’re indoors? Is the temperature noticeably different in front of your doors than it is the rest of the home? It might be time to update your doors. While it could be that the weather stripping needs to be replaced, that isn’t always the problem. If you have wooden doors, it’s possible that they’ve become misshapen or warped, leaving them unable to be properly flush with the frame. It’s also possible that your doors are thin and non-insulated, which means outside temperatures can pass through them easily. 

If you’re planning on upgrading your doors in the next year, you might as well try to get it done before winter. 

Ready to Update Your Entry Doors? 

When it comes to buying new entry doors, you have a number of decisions to make. Before you get to specific styles and colors, you’ll want to decide on material. 

Wooden entry doors are a classic material with near limitless styles. They’re also naturally good at controlling temperatures. However, they’re prone to warping, chipping, and fading over time.  

Fiberglass entry doors are resistant to warping, rotting, rusting, and corrosion. They’re also very energy efficient, especially if they’re insulated. However, they’re often costlier, and they’re not always available in custom sizes if your doorframes aren’t traditional dimensions. They also can’t take an impact like steel or wooden doors. 

Steel entry doors come in more styles than some assume. They’re very strong and long-lasting, capable of withstanding winds, rain, snow, and brute force. They’re also fire resistant. Finally, they tend to have a lower price point. However, they can become scuffed and scratched, and these marks aren’t easy to repair. If you don’t take proper care of them, they may corrode or rust as well. 

Whatever type of material or style you’re looking for in your entry doors, Springfield Overhead Door is here for you. We have a huge selection of exterior doors available, and our team is more than happy to act as your personalized shopper as you go through the buying process. Purchasing new doors for your home can be a surprisingly overwhelming experience. We make it simple and stress free. 

For exterior doors in Ohio, contact Springfield Overhead Door today!