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Need Help with Exterior Entry Door Selection

12 years ago

The entry doors on my house are in terrible shape after years of neglect. When we moved in a few years ago, it was something I knew I needed to do, and now is the time. The house is an all-brick colonial style in VA, and the existing door structure is a pair of 8' double wood doors. Trust me; they are beyond reasonable repair. My entry area has no overhang and faces north; not much sun at all.

I want a very good quality door, and like the look of real wood, but am concerned about the lack of an overhang. What are the best options here? What are some high-quality door companies I should consider?

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Comments (7)

jdplumb
12 years ago
Pella, Andersen, Marvin... All good quality manufacturers. Look at fiberglas construction stainable with simulated wood grain. Eight foot height...CHA-CHING!!!
mydreamhome
12 years ago
I would throw Jeld-Wen IWP doors in the mix as well. Therma-Tru is priced a little more economically though. Whether or not that old saying of "You get what you pay for" stands true when comparing these manufacturers' fiberglass doors, I can't say. I would look on eBay to see if you could find a deal with a showroom floor model or something because those doors are not going to be inexpensive.
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Thanks everyone! You all were very helpful in thinking through how the door will look with the other elements of the house. I have the same gothic style grille in several dormer windows above as well as some other decorative elements so I think that the solid door will best pull all of those pieces together. Also, I really want the transom to stand out and not blend in with the door below. I must say...I was definitely leaning the other way as I think the second door is beautiful but your input helped me visualize how it will look when combined with the windows, etc. Thanks again! Carsonheim - I'm getting it from a building supply company but I'm not sure who their supplier is. The woman has been great. She has called several supplies and gotten quotes for me in various wood species and other options. I think I'll be very pleased with the door assuming it is what she's requested. I'm waiting on confirmation on some of the details but it is very reasonably price...at least compared to the initial quote I got for the same door.
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Thank you for your response Petesmom. You are right, the areas below the shaker aren't complete. The shingles will be repeated there. We originally selected a dark reddish brown door in Sherwin Williams 2838 Polished Mahogany, but my interior designer thinks that the door will get lost in the dark brick, dark mortar, etc. That made me second guess our decison. Thanks again.
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I have double glass doors and at some point their stained glass was replaced with clear glass. We have double doors to outside that are heavy oak, but even so, when I'm coming down the stairs in my jammies and someone knocks on the door they have a full view...no time to hide! I absolutely HATE that! (you have to go through two sets of doors to get into the house if that makes sense? Victorian thing). After having lived with this for three years, I would push you towards the most distortion possible...Autumn is nice, and you can't see clearly what's on the other side. This is not a bad thing :) We will be putting back in stained glass in a very distorted pattern. You can work a peep hole into a frame if you want one, but that's not such a concern for me...I just want the ability to not answer the fedex man in my sleeping gear!
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powertoolpatriot
12 years ago
MasterCraft has a huge selection. From a couple hundred dollars to several thousand. Fiberglass, metal, wood. Menards handles them.
jeff71
Original Author
12 years ago
Thanks for the follow-ups. I am definitely expecting to spend some $$ on the project; want a nice look with quality door(s). I think I'd prefer the look of double doors again, even though it would be more expensive. Was thinking of Mahogany (real wood), but several of you guys mentioned fiberglass doors. I checked them out, and would prefer the Jeld-Wen vs. Therma-Tru for this house. But, wouldn't wood still look better? Without an overhang, I noticed that wooden door manufactures won't give you a warranty. Does that mean I shouldn't use a wooden door?

Thanks!
jhs2010
12 years ago
We're in Chicago (extreme weather) and many of the homes in our area have fiberglass doors for this reason - stained like wood, look enough like wood, but fiberglass. We used Therma-Tru. HTH!

Here is a link that might be useful: Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors
constantinople
12 years ago
Jeff71,

Have you considered an iron door? You can see mine in the It's July thread. I got it from San Miguel Ironworks. They will customize the design to your specs, deliver it and install it. There are a bunch of companies who sell iron doors, but be careful since not all are reputable. My doors were manufactured in Mexico. I had a bad experience with doors made in the US. Some manufacturers make them in China.

C.

Here is a link that might be useful: San Miguel Ironworks
maj1k
12 years ago
We went with the single version of this door. Yes, it is expensive.

Here is a link that might be useful: Mahogany Double Door

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