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Windows Design Dilemma entry

Therma Tru Entry Door

3 years ago

We need to replace our front door. We are considering a Therma Tru fiberglass door because our local builder supply center offers that brand. Is it a quality brand? Also, I am looking at an arched panel black door with sidelights very similar to the door shown except the sidelights would have beveled glass. Do you think the black would go well with my house...all of the the outside lights are black. Our house faces South and gets alot of heat in the daytime. Our salesperson recommended we paint the front and then have the inside stained. I believe that is the way to go. Thoughts?

Featured Answer

Joe Macker

3 years ago

I bought an inexpensive finished ThermaTru door for a side yard door and it has worked pretty good so far. It seems to keep heat/cold and noise out quite effectively.

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Comments (6)

PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
3 years ago
There are better doors out there depending on where you are located(Provia, Homeguard, HMI), but Thermatru is a fine choice among those that you can get at a supply center if you are set on that route.

As far as the color, a black door facing south is going to test the quality of the door and finish. It will absorb a fair amount of heat, and that dark paint will fade faster than a stain with clearcoat combo. If you use a storm door as well, make sure that its a ventilated model and you should strongly consider tinted glass (in the storm) as well.
TeeCee84 thanked HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
millworkman
3 years ago
Painting or staining the door? If painting you may want to look into having the door prefinished by TT or sprayed by an auto body shop.
TeeCee84 thanked millworkman
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Beware. If you had a mahogany stain kit for therma tru entry door, the color has been changed. In other words, the old mahogany is not the same as the new one. About 5 years ago, therma tru changed the Mahogany color. My problem is that when I ordered a new Mahogany Kit to refinish my 5 year old door, the new mahogany is much redder than the original. Wish they had told me when I ordered it. To make matters worse, the company rep indicated that they do not offer the old Mahogany color and would not recommend any of their current colors as a match. I was told to go out and find another brand of Oil based stain that matches my door and use that. If you have a therma tru mahogany stain on your door and it is more than 5 years old, do not use the new Mahogany stain kit as the colors at not the same!!!!!!
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Its a smooth star double entry door- link below. I was planning on adding the multipoint locking system. Note- this is for a deck entrance from the kitchen and not onto the patio...not sure if that make a difference with sill height you mentioned? Smooth Star 60"x80" Double Door Product Category: Exterior Doors Product Type: Exterior Region: East Product Material: Smooth Fiberglass Brand: ThermaÃ¢ÂÂTru Material Type: Smooth Star ConÃ¯Â¬Âguraon (Units viewed from Exterior): Double Door Factory Finish Opon: No Frame Material: Primed Astragal Type: ThermaÃ¢ÂÂTru Astragal Astragal Material: White Aluminum Slab Width: 60" Slab Height: 80" Product Style: French Glass Type: Clear Glass Style: GBG Insulation: Insulated Glass Grille Type: White Contour Bar Model: S108WC Handing: Left Hand Inswing Casing/Brickmould Pattern: Standard Brickmould Casing/Brickmould Type: Primed Ship Brickmold Loose: No Hinge Type: Radius x Square (Self Aligning) Hinge Finish: Brushed Nickel Jamb Depth: 6 9/16" Sill: Composite Adjustable Sill Finish: Mill MulÃ¢ÂÂPoint Lock: None Bore: Double Lock Bore 2Ã¢ÂÂ3/8" Backset Strike Jamb Prep: No Weatherstrip Type: Compression Weatherstrip Color: Bronze Custom Height Opon: No Sill Cover: Yes Rough Opening Width: 63 1/4" Rough Opening Height: 82 1/2" Total Unit Width(Includes Exterior Casing): 65 3/16" Total Unit Height(Includes Exterior Casing): 83 3/8" Here is a link that might be useful: ThermaTru Smooth Star French Door
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TeeCee84
Original Author
3 years ago
I need to ask our sales rep, but they paint & stain where I buy it. I thought he told my hubby that due to the heat, that the paint may be a better option than stain. But I need to check that. Thanks for the advice so far everyone!
PRO
HomeSealed Exteriors, LLC
3 years ago
It depends how they finish it (re: paint vs stain). TT uses third party finishers so you’ll need to find out what they do. A company like Homeguard for example sprays an automotive grade clear coat over their stain, so it’s actually more durable than the paint (which is is still nice regardless). If they don’t do that then it’s possible that the paint would be better.
Mary Elizabeth
3 years ago
We have one 5+ year old TT, and really like it. Tried to get a new one last summer through our lumber yard dealer. Special order took 4 weeks. It was a piece of junk! Had to wait over 2 weeks for the rep to come out and approve the return & re-order.

6 weeks for the next door that wasn't any better.

We went with a regional company (Bayer Built). Had the special order door within a week. Significantly better quality!

Similar experiences in this long-running thread on Therma Tru doors:

https://www.houzz.com/discussions/2588272/problems-with-thermatru-entry-door#n=122

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