Window and Door Replacement
Entry door replacement is a high-visibility renovation with multiple benefits: improved security, better weather sealing, enhanced energy efficiency, and a significant curb appeal upgrade.
Material options include steel, fiberglass, and wood. Steel doors offer the best security at the lowest cost. Fiberglass doors provide the best combination of durability, energy performance, and design versatility. Wood doors offer natural character but require more maintenance.
Energy Efficiency and Style
Energy performance is expressed as U-factor (lower is better) for the door slab and the glass (if any). Look for Energy Star certified doors rated for Ontario's climate zone for meaningful energy performance.
Pre-hung versus slab-only replacement affects scope and cost. A pre-hung door includes the frame and is appropriate when the existing frame is damaged. A slab replacement fits into the existing frame, which must be in sound condition.
Getting a Free Estimate
Hardware selection is part of the entry door decision. Locksets, deadbolts, and handlesets come in a range of quality levels. ANSI Grade 1 hardware represents the highest security and durability standard — appropriate for primary entry doors.
Glass inserts in entry doors add light to entry areas but reduce privacy and security relative to solid doors. Various privacy glass options (frosted, textured, decorative) balance light transmission with privacy.
Installation quality is critical for entry door performance. Improper shimming, inadequate weatherstripping compression, and missing threshold seal result in a new door that drafts as badly as the one it replaced. Use a qualified installer.