There are many reasons to renovate your doors and windows. Perhaps your doors are too drafty or your windows let too much light in. In any case, a new door or window can drastically change the appearance and ambience of your home. It does not just involve replacing a cracked frame or thin glass. A different set of doors and windows can alter how sound, light and fresh air enter and leave your home. Below are some factors to take note of choosing new doors and windows.
Measuring your Door
You should first start with measuring the height, width and thickness of your old door. You need to be very accurate to ensure that you get a new door of the correct size. In the case that you desire a larger door or sidelights around your door, your frame needs to be adjusted to make it bigger. Wood frames are easily modified but brick or stucco frames are much harder to alter.
Door Materials
Next, you have to choose the material for your new door. A glass door can let more light into your home as well as help it feel more connected to the view outside. The downside is that glass doors accumulate smudges and fingerprints easily and require frequent wipe downs.
Wood doors are great if you want to have clavos, a speakeasy opening or glass inserts in your door. However, they require a new coat of paint every couple of years. If your wood door faces the Sun, the finish can crack and fade even faster over time. In such a case, opt for painted wood instead of stained wood as the former is more resilient to direct sunlight.
You can also consider steel doors which are available in a wide variety of colors and can be painted whenever you desire a change. Be prepared though, they dent easily.
Things to Note for Doors
Remember to specify to the manufacturer which side you want to your door knob to be on. You may also want to consider the kind of lock you want on your door. If you or someone in your family often misplaces their keys, an electronic door lock may be a better option.
Understanding your Window Expectations
Before choosing a window, think about what you prioritise in a window. If you prefer a window that can offer a beautiful view, your best choice would be a picture window. However, you want your window to provide air circulation in your home, look into a casement window that can be fully opened.
Window Materials
The four most common materials are wood, aluminium, vinyl and clad. The selling point of wood is that is it gorgeous and its interior trim can complement the baseboards and molding of your house. However, wood can rot or be destroyed by termites. It is also usually expensive.
Clad windows have wooded frames coated with vinyl, aluminium or fiberglass and are quite resistant to wear and tear.
Aluminium windows are mildew-free, rust-free and lightweight. They are also loved for their thin frames which can gives homes a more open setting.
The most commonly used material is vinyl as it is highly moisture-resistant and durable. It makes for a great low maintenance window frame. The only downside is that it is not suitable for painting.
Things to Note for Windows
Fire codes require that you have at least one window large enough for a person to escape through in your basement and bedrooms.
For your windows to serve you well, it is important that they are installed well. Thus, it is recommended to hire a professional contractor.
