Three Signs Your Doors Need Replacing
Your front door gets opened and closed thousands of times a year and stands up to everything Burlington weather throws at it, from humid summers to lake effect wind and freezing winters. Eventually even a good door wears out. The tricky part is knowing when a door needs a little maintenance and when it is time for a new one.
Here are three signs we look for when we visit homes in Burlington, Oakville, Milton, Waterdown and Hamilton.
1. You Can See Light or Feel Air Around the Door
Stand inside on a sunny day with the door closed and look at the edges. If you can see daylight around the frame, under the door or between the door and the weatherstripping, air is getting through too. In winter that means cold drafts and a furnace working harder. In summer it means your air conditioning is escaping.
Start by checking the weatherstripping and the threshold. Sometimes a replacement sweep or adjustment solves it. If the gap is caused by a door that has warped or a frame that has shifted, new weatherstripping will not fix it for long.
2. The Door Sticks, Warps or Is Hard to Lock
A door that swells and sticks in humid weather, then gaps in the cold, is usually a door that has absorbed moisture over the years. This is most common with older wood doors. You may notice:
- The door rubs on the frame or floor.
- You have to push or lift the door to get the deadbolt to line up.
- The latch does not catch on its own.
- The door looks slightly bowed when you sight down its edge.
A door that does not close and lock smoothly is both an energy problem and a security problem.
3. Visible Damage, Rot or Worn Finish
Look closely at the bottom of the door and the frame. Soft spots, rot, cracks, peeling finish, dents and rust are signs the door is breaking down. Damage tends to speed up once moisture gets in.
On sliding patio doors, watch for rollers that grind, glass that is fogged between the panes, and handles or locks that no longer secure the door properly.
What a New Door Looks Like Today
At The Door Centre, we install Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors in the Classic-Craft, Smooth-Star and Pulse collections. Fiberglass resists the warping, rot and swelling that older wood doors suffer from, and it can be painted or stained to suit the style of your home.
- Most front door projects range from $3,500 to $8,000+ installed, depending on size, sidelites, glass and hardware.
- Therma-Tru finishes carry a 15-year painted finish warranty and a 10-year stained finish warranty.
- Every installation is backed by our 10-year installation workmanship warranty.
- Replacing a sliding patio door typically takes just 2 to 3 hours.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I fix a drafty door instead of replacing it? Sometimes. New weatherstripping or a threshold adjustment can help. If the door is warped, rotting or damaged, replacement is the better long-term choice.
How much does a new front door cost? Most front doors we install range from $3,500 to $8,000+ installed. We will give you an exact number with a free quote.
Do you install wood entry doors? No. We install Therma-Tru fiberglass entry doors, which offer the look of wood without the upkeep.
See Your Next Door in Person
Spotted one of these signs? Visit our showroom at 4280 Harvester Rd, Burlington, to see Therma-Tru doors up close, call 905-333-4044 or email info@thedoorcentre.ca to book your free quote.
