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I would appreciate it if anyone has had experience replacing a whole door frame (with sidelights and molding)) plus the actual front door. Our house is 40 years old with no front porch, and the whole shebang needs to be replaced due to damaged wood, settling and warping. We have painted and used wood putty for years but the time has come! I am not thrilled with using a big box store as I would like to know exactly who will do the work. Do I need to call an actual contractor and pay those extra costs? Also, any downside to going with steel or fiberglass for the door this time around or stick with wood? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Also, any downside to going with steel or fiberglass for the door this time around or stick with wood? Any help would be greatly appreciated.
It depends on the finish you want. Steel and fiberglass doors are strong but need to be painted with exterior paint. If you paint it yourself, it is difficult to get a smooth even coat.
OTOH, if you like a wood finished door, stick with wood (although there are good fiberglass ones with wood finishes).
FWIW, we have used the big-box stores for installation of a door a couple of times and been satisfied with their contractors. It is much easier than interviewing several contractors on your own.
Last edited by goldenage1; 03-10-2014 at 01:11 PM..
There is also a store on Glenwood that specializes in doors. I've never used them so can't vouch for them, but it may be a place worth checking out as an alternative to the big box stores.
We have painted and used wood putty for years but the time has come!
I am in the same boat. I have a storm door which protects the actual door, but the sidelights are exposed to the elements. I have patched and painted for several years now.
I just visited the Pella door site and found fiberglass doors that mimic wood, but I didn't see any information about the material for the sidelights. It would be nice if they now used a composite or other no-rot material. Please let us know what solution you choose.
Emitchell, yes, the sidelights issue is what is really creates the problem. Our house has settled over the years so our front door has been sanded and shaved somewhat to prevent sticking even though we do have a storm door. However, the storm door is also wood and needs replacing. We are also unfortunately in a neighborhood where they are tearing down older homes and building new ones, so the prospect of spending several thousand dollars on this is not a happy thought, but this will never last another 10-15 years. I will let you know what progress we make.
The other issue might be whether the 40-year-old house has a standard size door. Non-standard sizes get very expensive if you have to order them.
It's probably cheaper to reframe the opening vs buying a custom door.
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