What Are Exterior Doors?

An exterior door can be any door used to enter/exit a home. Front doors are perfect examples of exterior doors. Other examples include back doors, side doors (located at the front of a house) and used to enter the garage. Doors behind the garage that exit to the backyards also qualify as exterior doors. 

Since an exterior door such as front doors creates the first impression in a home, they should be attractive and well maintained. Exterior doors such as back doors need to be strong and secure.

Homeowners who aren’t happy with various aspects of their exterior doors can have new doors installed – replacement exterior door installation. 

Components of an Exterior Door

Exterior doors are made up of several components, the most notable being; the door hardware, door frame, weatherstripping, handles, trim, locks, and hinges.

Common Exterior Door Problems

Why do you need exterior door replacement services? There are several reasons that can make a homeowner want to replace their exterior door. The main reasons include;

I. Poor Installation: Your front door is a symbol of security in your home. However, homeowners who aren’t fortunate enough to work with seasoned contractors who install exterior doors properly, may need a new door in the near future. Common door installation problems include, but aren’t limited to; 

• Door Hinge Problems: Hinges play a critical role in a door's ability to open and close. Hinges that aren’t aligned and installed perfectly can cause a door to open/close with difficulty or loosely. 
• Drafty Door: A poorly installed door with no weatherstripping can be the source of cold air into your home. 
• Door is Sticking: A door that is poorly installed can also stick at certain areas i.e., the top or bottom. If there is scraping against the door frame, you have this problem. 
• Misaligned Bottom-Wall Plates: The bottom plates of a door should be straight across. Plates that are out of alignment make it impossible for a door to fit perfectly to a door stop. 
• Unevenness at the Top: A poor installation can also result in a gap at the top linked to a hinge or floor that isn't level. 
• Trim Doesn’t Fit: If trim isn’t installed with perfect miters, it won’t fit. 
• Warping: A door should fit tightly to the door stop. If this isn't the case, warping, linked to installation problems, is to blame. 
  

Other common door installation problems include rough opening, a door opening/closing on its own, and squeaky/noisy door.

A poorly installed exterior door is also a security hazard. If your previous contractor failed to secure the door firmly, the door is bound to move around and may come out of adjustment constantly. What’s more, force can damage or destroy the door completely. 

Considering research shows that 95% of most home invasions involve forceful entry such as kicking in doors, a poorly installed door vulnerable to a few strong kicks can expose your family to burglars and related risks. The strength of a door is determined by many things including the strength of the frame.

Protecting your exterior door from strong door kicks is easy. A secure door and frame are critical. Solid steel plates can also be used to physically reinforce the most vulnerable areas of exterior doors. Other additions such as longer screws make exterior doors kick-proof. 

Poor exterior door installation is also to blame for water damage or other weather-related damage in homes. An exterior door that doesn't have a proper sealant underneath is prone to leaks that are bound to damage your flooring and other interior elements. 

The exterior side of exterior doors faces weather elements more than the interior side. Waterproofing and sealing exterior doors is important for protecting them from exterior weather elements that shorten the lifespan of the doors and cause other problems like poor energy efficiency. 

Selecting the right exterior door is the first step. Exterior doors shouldn’t be exposed. A large overhang works great. A proper installation characterized by good detailing (flashing, drip caps, sill pans, substrate prepping and more) is also critical for preventing small leaks and other weather damage that causes big problems.

II. Poor Aesthetics: Homeowners may also see a need for a replacement exterior door if the existing one doesn't look great or the door was “built to fail” (this is the lingo we use in the field for lower-quality doors that don’t last long). Such doors may look fine when a home is built but deteriorate after a while demanding replacement. When this happens, customers usually want a really good-looking replacement exterior door capable of changing the entire look and feel of a home. 

The aesthetic appeal of a home is determined by several things. The exterior door is among the most important aspects of your home's exterior attractiveness. Curb appeal is important for several reasons, among them being a higher home valuation and ease to sell (if you choose to sell in the future). 

III. Expectations vs. Reality: Exterior doors fall under wide price ranges. However, some contractors are guilty of misleading homeowners that they can get a “magazine-worthy” looking door for a few hundred dollars. Most of the “magazine-worthy" exterior doors or big doors homeowners want installed are costly. 

However, experienced contractors like Preview Construction with over three decades experience can get great look replacement exterior doors at fair prices. Most importantly, the doors will also meet other client expectations or specific needs!

Preview Construction can match your exterior door expectations and reality on every aspect from the hardware to the locking system, security type, framing, size, energy efficiency, price, big door alternatives, maintenance requirements, and more.

Call: 1-214-348-3836.

Replacement Exterior Door Installation Options

When you decide to seek exterior door replacement installation services, you have several options in Dallas revolving around type and manufacturers. 

I. Andersen Doors 

As mentioned above, Andersen has over a century of experience making superior doors. The brand offers many door styles, and materials, namely;

Andersen Door Styles

Preview construction offers the following Andersen door styles for exterior door replacement installation;

a. Big Doors

Big doors bring outdoor space indoors. They can have a wide opening that extends up to 40-feet or more depending on customer preferences. In most cases, big doors are foldable to create open spaces. Most are made of glass, offering unmatched visibility but not as much functionality when they are open. The sheer size and other factors like complex installation make big doors expensive.

However, Preview Construction has big door options that can mimic the big door look minus the high cost.

b. Entry Doors

Entry doors are meant for entryways. You can have your old entry doors replaced by an Andersen entry door to add some uncommon elegance. Andersen replacement entry doors showcase artistry, intricacy, and unmatched beauty to complement your home's character and personal style.

You can select French patio doors to replace your exterior patio doors if you wish to boost ventilation while making a dramatic statement. French-style patio doors will match just about any home style in Dallas, Texas. 

If you prefer convenience and wish to save space, gliding patio doors are a good replacement for existing patio doors. Andersen has many options and accessories in regards to panel configuration, sizing, name it!

Andersen Door Materials

Preview Construction sells and installs Andersen doors made of wood, composite, Aluminum, vinyl, or Fiberglass.

a. Wood doors: Andersen has been using wood to make its products for over a century. Andersen's wood exterior doors stand out for their beauty, good thermal performance, and frame strength and rigidity.

b. Composite doors: You can choose Andersen exterior doors made of composite, which is twice as strong as vinyl and performs better in extreme temperatures. The doors are also resistant to peeling, flaking, fading, and blistering.

c. Aluminum doors: Andersen also has aluminum exterior doors that offer unmatched strength and a virtually maintenance-free usage resistance to all elements.

d. Vinyl doors: Anderson vinyl exterior door replacement stands out for featuring a protective cladding that makes the doors resistant to weather elements like extreme temperature.

e. Fiberglass doors: Andersen’s fiberglass exterior door replacement installation comes with notable benefits like tough weather resistance. Fiberglass is also maintenance-free and works well with other interior elements.

You can also choose any Andersen door series below for your exterior door replacement Dallas, TX.

a. E-Series

Doors falling under this series offer unmatched design freedom given the numerous custom colors, dynamic shapes, exotic woods, dramatic sizes, and more. 

b. A-Series

A-series doors after careful consideration or doors and their contribution to the architectural style. The result is doors that offer authentic architectural styling as every hardware and accessory comes together and allows the creation of a unique home style.

c. 400 Series

400 series Andersen doors feature classic wood craftsmanship proven to last and blend style and performance perfectly.

d. 200 Series

This series matches wooden doors with a great pricing point, design, and size variety. The 200 series is perfect for homeowners searching for exterior Andersen doors that balance innovation, efficiency, design, and pricing together. 

e. 100 Series

For those who want a better alternative to vinyl, the 100 series comes highly recommended. It is budget-friendly and features Fibrex composite material offering better sustainability, durability, less maintenance needs, more energy-efficiency, and more strength than vinyl. 

II. Therma Tru Exterior Doors

Preview Construction offers other exterior door replacement brands besides Andersen. For instance, homeowners in Dallas, TX, can choose Therma Tru exterior doors available in materials such as fiberglass and steel as well as different grain profiles like oak, mahogany, oak, and fir. The doors also vary in size (height and width), glass type/category, architectural type, and more. 

Preview Construction can install several types of Therma Tru exterior door types, namely; entry, patio, back of house, side of garage, house to garage, and side of house doors.

Besides Andersen and Therma Tru exterior doors, Preview Construction also sells and installs another brand – Windsor Doors. The doors stand out for their stylish new contemporary feel that helps homeowners create spaces with ample light, airflow and energy.

"LaCantina is a pioneer in designing and manufacturing large opening door systems. Our focus in developing and refining these products has resulted in the most innovative and comprehensive range of folding, sliding and swing doors available to enhance indoor outdoor living." ~ LaCantina

Steps/Process 

Preview Construction offers services in six main steps, namely;

Step 1: Schedule a Call/Meeting

Many Preview Construction customers have a vision for their homes. We work with homeowners to ensure they find the perfect replacement exterior doors that match their vision. This is precisely why we offer free consultation as an educational component.

Homeowners who need exterior door replacement services can call Preview Construction anytime during working hours

(1-214-348-3836) or schedule a consultation to discuss their options.

Jason – Co-owner of Preview Construction, visits homes for a thorough assessment. He loves talking about doors, windows, and siding and is always ready to identify existing door problems, educate, as well as, assist clients choose the best replacement exterior doors that match everything from functionality to personal tastes/preferences. Jason's vast experience spanning decades allows him to preempt exterior door replacement issues and suggest perfect solutions.

Book a site visit, phone consultation for educational purposes or get a quote NOW. 

Step 3: Quote

Step 2 is followed by a comprehensive quote that covers everything.

Step 4: Finalize Colors, Style, Details, and Installation Date

In step 4, details such as color, style, and installation date are discussed and finalized.

Step 5: Final Measure and Installation

Before installation, final measurements are taken by a project manager who double/triple checks Jason's work before installation commences as per industry best practices.

Step 6: Follow Up

Since installation is done according to best practices, the lifetime limited warranty remains intact. Maintenance information is provided at this point to allow clients to care for their doors properly as per the manufacturer's directions. 

FAQs About Exterior Door Replacement Dallas