New Front Door Buying Guide - South Florida July 08 2019

Not sure what type of entry doors to buy? Read the beginners guide for South Florida homeowners below to learn more!

Entry doors are most commonly known as front doors, but can also include side doors, patio sliding doors, french doors and more. Whatever type of door you're looking for in Palm Beach County, here are a few things to keep in mind.

There are 3 main types of doors in the market - fiberglass, steel, and wood - each having their own pros and cons.

Fiberglass Front Doors

The most common front door in new construction here in Boca, West Delray, Palm Beach, etc. due to its ability to withstand hurricane force winds and hold up to the daily South Florida summer rain.

Additionally, most homeowners replace their existing entry doors with Fiberglass doors since finishing options are vast, including a smooth surface, wood-grain texture, glass inserts, and more! Fiberglass entry doors can be painted or stained, are moderately priced, dent resistant, and require little maintenance.

Steel Front Doors
Steel doors used to be the standard here in older homes located in places such as Wellington and East Boynton Beach, but have now been replaced with fiberglass and wood doors since Steel doors don't hold up to the weather as well.

Steel entry doors are relatively inexpensive and offer similar security benefits as fiberglass and wood doors. Steel doors tend to dent a bit easier and scratches may rust if they aren't painted promptly.

Wood Front Doors
The old proverb is true, you get what you pay for. Beautiful solid-wood front doors are the best material at resisting wear and tear. They're the least likely to dent and scratches are easy to repair.

However, wood doors are still the most expensive doors and require regular painting or varnishing to keep them looking fresh.

Glass Door Inserts
A great way to customize your front doors is a custom glass insert. All inserts we sell at First Impression are hurricane impacted rated to keep you and your family safe during storms (and from potential break-ins).

These inserts can be retrofitted into existing fiberglass doors or added to any new Fiberglass entry door you purchase. Options available include panel and glass designs, sidelights, and transoms.

Energy Efficiency
Steel and fiberglass doors are typically better insulated than wood doors and for models with glass, the hurricane impact glass maintains the efficiency and reduction of heat transfer. With any new door you purchase from First Impression Doors & More we ensure there are no gaps or air leaks around the door to keep your home as energy efficient as possible.

Professional Front Door Installation
Due to stringent building and permitting codes, we highly recommend you let a professional contractor install your new front door. From measuring the exact size, to properly securing the door to the foundation, it's a job best left to a contractor.

Contact us today for a FREE estimate on new front doors.