Buying an entry door

15 years ago

I need a new front entry door. I always try to buy things a little better than what I had before, but in this case I'm not sure what that means. My current door is a steel door of unknown brand. It seems like a solid door, but unfortunately there's rot & termite damage in the frame around it. So, time for a new one.

I think I'd prefer a steel door for the security, but fiberglass seems so popular, I'm considering that also.

I've found the Provia site and they seem like really nice doors. Security is a big concern for me and these seem to be well-built. I've also read up on Therma-Tru and Plastpro. Although these may not be the same as Provia, they seem to be quality names.

Which brings me to my first question. I hope the question is not verboten. What can I expect to pay for a solid (no glass) door for each of the brands I've named? I currently have a smooth surface, but am also considering a grain look.

Which brings me to my second question. Is it foolish to paint a door with a grain finish? Or will the grain shine through? My new door will be painted.

Considering my security concerns, are there any upgrades I should get when purchasing a door? Multi-point lock (would this be a negative at resale?), composite framing, etc?

Thanks for any help you can give this poor noob!

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Comments (8)

cherryhillhandyman
15 years ago
I recently purchased a Therma-Tru fiberglass pre hung front door from a lumberyard for about $1K. That price included a 1/2 lite decorative glass, grain look painted outside and stained inside. Be sure to get the correct size - width, height and jamb depth. I installed it myself, but you can expect to pay about $500 for someone else to do it. Home centers will do it as a package for you if you like the doors they sell. I'm a retired police officer so I can tell you that front door security has nothing to do with the door. When front doors are broken into, it's because the jamb splits where the lock keepers are screwed into them with 3/4 inch screws. When the door is installed, make sure that the jamb at the keeper area is reinforced and the keepers are attached with screws long enough to go into the framing studs. Good Luck!
ron6519
15 years ago
The conception that steel doors provide security is not correct. They are as vulnerable as wood doors because they sit in a wood frame.
Buy a door that suits your taste and pocketbook.
Ron
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Not a DIY type job. If the door does not fit exactly(and it can be off as much as a half inch), you will need to change the door framing to fit the new door. That is not impossible, but most DIYers do not have the experience nor the tools to resize the door frame easily or quickly. To start, you would need to measure the CL door and your present door. The CL door has to be within 1/16" (wide and tall) and not bigger. The hinges should be the same, but I've seen them different. That would mean making new hinge mortices. Same for the striker plate and latch. And, the CL door and your present door would need to have the same swing---left hinges or right hinges.
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rjoh878646
15 years ago
I just had a Provia double door put in a couple of months ago. It is a steel door,factory painted. the paint job is top notch. It is energy star rated. I had it professionaly installed. If you are worried about security,you can get it with a triple locking system, which is not cheap. If you get a fiberglass door , it also comes pre finished from the factory. I liked this door over the therma-tru as the steel is wrapped around all four edges of the door. The therma-tru has exposed wood at the top. Little more expensive than a therma-tru, but i did not find any complaints about the company posted on the web as i did therma-tru.
hilltop_gw
15 years ago
Agree with rjoh about the triple locking system.

Our door has a trilennium multi-point system (W&F Mfg).
I can't believe how tight, solid & secure the triple lock makes the door feel.
sierraeast
15 years ago
If the door is secure enough, the bad guys will just use a window. Dont lose sleep over security, get the door that is astetically pleasing and quality built concerning efficiency and let it go at that. While it's true that a major effort to lessen the risk of a break in can help,(security cameras/systems), bottom line is that if they want in bad enough, it's going to happen. That's what insurance is for.
tower
Original Author
15 years ago
Thanks everyone for your comments....

I'm afraid I don't think about doors very much, so I don't know what looks good or not. It seems like a wood look and glass are what "looks good" and I want neither. Wood grain is fine, but the door is going to be painted.

I agree about the jamb being key to security. I'm definitely going to beef up that part with a stud between the door and sidelight and a better strike plate.

I realize that anyone who really wants to get in will, however I'm counting on most would-be robbers being discouraged by slightly above average security measures. But I don't want to make my house into Fort Knox! :-)

Would anyone here tell me what the starting price is for a Provia steel door, no glass, and no sidelight? I'm just trying to get a feel for what kind of costs I need to look at.

Thanks again.
rjoh878646
15 years ago
I know of one way to beef up the jamb, which I seen on a This old house show where they toured a state farm demonstration house, was to fasten plate aluminum to the door jamb on the lock side. they had it cut out for the deadbolt and the latch. with the deadbolt engaged you couldn't kick the door open because the plate aluminum prevented the jamb from splitting. I believe they used multiple short screws into the jamb. You could beef up both sides of the jamb this way if you wanted to. I believe they used plate aluminum because it was easy to cut and drill.
tower
Original Author
15 years ago
rjoh, that's a pretty good idea! Cheap, simple, and customizable!