Everything You Should Know to Buy New Doors for Your D.C. Home
The doors on your home have multiple jobs, but it all narrows down to one thing: Keep what’s outside out, and what’s inside in.
They must be strong enough to withstand the Mid-Atlantic temperature fluctuations and challenging weather, would-be intruders, and all the elements that the Maryland, Virginia, and Washington, D.C. areas bring. They should also be energy efficient to lower your bills and benefit the environment.
The only problem? There are so many materials and styles to choose from.
The right door can keep your home secure and energy-efficient, as well as extend your home’s living space to the outdoors by providing you with plenty of light and beautiful views. You need exterior doors installed to protect your warranty, your home, and your family.
There are so many options to choose from—including which materials to choose, like fiberglass, wood, vinyl, and steel—for every door style:
- Entry doors
- Patio doors
- Storm doors
Once you have these choices narrowed down, there are still plenty of choices to make about which style best suits your home.
Alco Products is a trusted door installation contractor. We proudly install Marvin and ProVia doors for high-caliber, attractive doors that protect and enhance your home:
- Marvin is a top provider of patio and French doors as well as sliding and wood doors
- ProVia is a trusted manufacturer of entry doors as well as French, steel, and fiberglass doors
So how do you choose?
Here’s your ultimate guide to replacing your home’s doors.
Signs of Exterior Door Damage
When Is It Time For a New Door For Your Home?
It might be time for a new door when:
- Your home door is scratched or dented…
- There are cracks or breaks along the door’s edges…
- Your door isn’t keeping out the warm or cool air or you feel drafts…
- The door “sticks” in the jamb or difficult to open and close…
- Your style has changed and your door simply doesn’t match your needs any more…
- You’re concerned that your door isn’t as secure as it should be…
- You simply want a new door!
Top Benefits of Installing New Doors
Keep the temperature outside from coming inside with a new door for your home
When your doors need to be replaced, it can drastically alter the energy efficiency of your home – which means any room that has an exterior-facing door can be too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer. Or you may feel a draft as the wind blows past your door and the air currents enter your home.
You may be tempted to install weather stripping to solve a draft problem, or perhaps use a draft-stopper under the door to stop air from leaking in underneath. But oftentimes, the air is coming in from the area around the door where it’s not hanging level or the frame no longer meets the door correctly.
When this happens, it usually means that it’s time for a new door.
Protect your home from snow and rain coming indoors
It’s not just your windows that protect your home against precipitation – your entry and patio doors play a large role in keeping the elements outside while keeping the inside of your home nice and dry.
When your door fails to keep water from entering your home, you can see water damage in your floor and carpets, as well as the walls surrounding your door and the lower levels of your home as well.
Water will travel as far as it can, and it doesn’t always move straight down. You can see water damage in all directions if it’s coming in from a failing door, and when you see water – it’s time to get a new door.
Protect your home from intruders with a safe exterior door
Whether you have one door or many, they are the first line of defense against would-be intruders who wish to break & enter into your home.
Oftentimes, burglars will bypass a home if it proves too difficult to enter – so your door’s job is to be difficult to enter! This is achieved through reinforced deadbolts, durable door materials, and upgraded framework that will withstand a brute-force attack.
The older your door is, the more susceptible it is to failure during an invasion attempt – which means it may be time for a new door.
High-Performance, Energy-Efficient Door Features to Save You Money
Any time you make an improvement to your home—like a door replacement—you have an opportunity to choose materials that lower your energy bills and protect the environment. There are numerous eco-friendly options available for homeowners now, and energy-efficient doors are no exception.
Energy-efficient front doors, entry doors, and patio doors not only aid in your energy savings, but they also increase the comfort level in your home by providing a more pleasant environment. They even can help boost the value of your home.
How do you choose the right door to improve energy efficiency? You should look for Energy Star-rated doors. What makes these doors efficient? Energy Star doors must have the following characteristics:
- Multiple glass panes in any door window to limit heat loss or gain
- Energy-efficient core materials like fiberglass, wood cladding, and steel with a polyurethane foam core
- A tight fit and seal with a magnetic strip that reduces air leakage around the edges
Energy Star doors are assigned a rating based on their thermal resistance or R-value. When searching for a door, you should look for high R-value exterior doors; the higher the value, the more insulated and energy-efficient your door is.
The R-values of most fiberglass-clad entry doors without a window is somewhere around R-5 or R-6, which is more than five times the insulating value of a solid wood door of comparable size. The R-value of your door matters. Frequently, there are incentivized energy-efficient door tax credits to help pay for your replacement door.
At Alco Products, we proudly offer ProVia’s energy-efficient fiberglass doors. Its entry doors are 2.5 inches thick with a dual-perimeter seal, an insulation channel, and a custom bottom sweep for prime efficiency. And ProVia’s doors are available in a wide range of styles and options.
Choose From a Wide Variety of Exterior Doors for Your Entry, Patio, and More
Alco only sells and installs replacement doors that are exceptional in quality and durability. We custom design and measure every door for an exact fit which makes the door more secure and energy efficient. We only sell doors that are made from premium materials and are created by an expert craftsman. Ready-made doors that are cut down to fit instead of being built to exact measurements can’t compete with our custom designed doors. In reality, doors are not only your homes first line of defense but they convey your style and personality. The many styles, colors, and hardware allow you the opportunity to customize your door to truly convey yourself.
Solid Home Exterior Doors with No Window
Solid doors with no window afford you the highest energy efficiency and security of all the front door options. However, these doors don’t allow any daylight to enter the home and lack some decorative options.
These doors can be made in any material, from wood to metal to fiberglass. Each material has its own benefits, and you will be able to choose based on its durability, maintenance level, and security ratings.
Windowed Exterior Doors
Within the windowed door options, you can run the gamut from small windows at the top to nearly fully windowed doors.
As a rule of thumb, the larger the window, the more energy you will lose from your home. There are ways to alleviate the energy loss, but the window is less energy efficient than the door around it.
That’s why many companies are fond of saying that your door is only as effective as the window that’s in it.
That being said, there are many options for the windows that you have – from plain glass to decorative glass, even stained glass.
Entry Door Material and Color Options
Your front door can come in a myriad of colors – from neutral to bright – and many doors can be painted. This leaves your color options virtually limitless.
Additionally, wood and fiberglass doors can offer you another option: wood grain.
Choosing a wood grain for your door can add to the richness of your entryway, rather than choosing a statement color. This is especially striking if you incorporate a decorative window into your door to add to the overall look.
Below are just a few of the color options that ALCO can bring to you – to see all the colors and wood grains, schedule your Complimentary Design Consultation.
Entry Door Glass Options
As we mentioned previously, you have multiple glass options in your entry door.
Plain glass windows can be multi-paned, which can increase energy efficiency. Additionally, you can add argon gas in between the panes to decrease the U-Factor (the amount of heat that’s lost through the window) – which in turn will increase its efficiency.
There are three main materials for your front door:
Fiberglass Composite Entry Doors
Fiberglass composite doors are the lowest-maintenance doors, and are especially well suited for humid climates.
Steel Entry Doors
Steel doors are the best choice if you want an extra layer of security beyond reinforced frames, deadbolts, and solid strike plates.
Wood Entry Doors
Wood has commonly been used because of its durability and flexibility, although fiberglass has replaced it as technology and materials have advanced.
While each material has its own pros and cons, there are a variety of options in each material so there is sure to be something that suits your needs.
Entry Door Hardware Options
The hardware you choose for your entry door depends on your own personal style, and the amount of security you want.
There are lock mechanisms that operate only on a deadbolt, and others that have a locking knob as well. Additionally, there are lever-style knobs that are easier to open for those with disabilities (or an arm full of groceries), as well as the traditional round knobs or push-button style.
The hardware on your door is easily replaced using materials from your local hardware store – but be aware that they have a limited number of keys to those locks, so you may want to have the locks changed out by a professional locksmith to ensure its uniqueness to your home.
Home Entry Doors
Your home’s front entry door is the statement piece of your home
It welcomes your guests and brings you home after a long day at work. Your front entry door has a couple of big jobs:
Material Choices for Front Entry Doors – and which is best for you
Front entry doors come in a variety of materials – wood, metal, and vinyl. There are advantages and disadvantages to all styles, and what you’re looking for will determine the material that best suits your needs.
Fiberglass Composite Doors
Fiberglass composite doors are the lowest-maintenance doors, and are especially well suited for humid climates. Fiberglass doors can mimic the look of wood grain, and can be stained to match virtually any wood variety. Fiberglass doors are filled with insulation to increase their energy efficiency, as are steel and wood doors.
Fiberglass doors have a higher R-value (the resistance to conductive heat flow, which means the amount of heat that passes through your door to the outside) than solid wood doors – about five times as much when you choose a fiberglass door without a window.
Steel Doors
Steel doors are the best choice if you want an extra layer of security beyond reinforced frames, deadbolts, and solid strikeplates. Steel doors are stronger than wood or fiberglass doors, which makes them especially useful against extreme weather or would-be intruders.. Steel doors can be designed to be as elegant and high-end as wood and fiberglass doors, and can be painted to match the colors of your home’s exterior.
The R-value of a properly installed steel door with foam insulated core mirrors that of a fiberglass composite door. In fact, fiberglass and steel doors are the most energy efficient door types for your home.
Wood Doors
Wood has commonly been used because of its durability and flexibility, although fiberglass has replaced it as technology and materials have advanced. Wood can be painted or stained to enhance its natural beauty, which means it can match any color scheme you wish to match. You can find wood doors with engineered cores, insulation, or solid-wood doors – all of which are highly customizable to your specific style requirements.
Entry Door Styles
Additionally, entry doors come in a variety of styles – solid doors, doors with glass or stained glass inlays, and with a variety of designs and colors. No matter what your home’s style, ALCO can help you find a front door to suit your needs.
The addition of a window, although decorative, reduces the energy efficiency of that door, so be sure to talk with your ALCO representative about your options and preferences.
Residential French Doors
French doors for your Maryland, Virginia, or Washington D.C. home are a suitable choice for both exterior doors and interior room dividers. French doors are hinged on the left and right sides and close into one another so that when they’re open, they provide a wide walkway.
As with swinging patio doors, you’ll need to ensure that you have a proper footprint for the swing of the door – that means keeping furniture and other items out of the way so the door can open completely.
French Storm Doors Fit Well in Nearly Any Home
French doors benefit your home with the increased light and space they bring to a room. With their full-window design, French doors allow a large amount of natural light into your room, and with the views they provide, they can make your room appear and feel larger.
Energy Efficient French Doors Options
If your exterior doors will get direct sunlight, you can choose a tinted or coated glass option that will keep your floors, furniture and décor from fading. Additionally, look for a door with a low Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) which is the measurement of how well your glass will block the heat from the sun.
The SHGC is measured from 0 to 1, and the lower the number, the more heat the glass blocks. In southern climates, a SHGC of 0.25 is recommended while a higher SHGC of 0.4 may be required in the northern US – which means that your ideal number will likely fall within that range depending on your preferences and requirements.
French Doors Can Match Your Home No Matter What Your Style
French doors for your patio come in many different design options and colors, all of which become a design element for your home’s exterior as well as the inside of your home.
Vinyl French Doors
Vinyl is used often for its durability and energy efficiency. Vinyl doors will not need to be repainted, flake, peel or rot, which makes vinyl an especially popular choice.
Fiberglass French Doors
Fiberglass can be made to mimic genuine wood but require less upkeep. Fiberglass doors are built to consistently withstand any climate – from hot and dry to cold and wet. This makes fiberglass doors a great choice for the Mid-Atlantic seasonal changes.
Aluminum French Doors
Aluminum is lightweight yet strong, and is incredibly corrosion resistant. This makes aluminum a good choice near water or other corrosive situations, and when you’re looking for a door that will be durable in many situations.
Wood French Doors
Wood doors are used for their unique beauty – as every tree is different and offers different distinguishing features. Wood doors can be painted or stained in any color to match your existing style, and its natural durability will ensure it lasts. Wood doors to require more maintenance than other materials, but is especially suited for a traditional style home.
Steel French Doors
Steel doors are designed to be incredibly durable and strong – making them the top choice when security is your largest concern. These doors require minimal maintenance and will remain durable n most climates.
In addition to the material of the door construction, you also have the option to include window grids or omit those entirely. You also have the decision of the style and finish of the hardware (handle and hinges) that you use – from antique bronze to chrome, there’s a finish to meet every style.
Patio Doors
Sliding Patio Doors
Sliding Patio Doors come with at least two panels, one of which slides and the other that is stationary.
Sliding patio doors are an incredibly popular choice residential homes in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington D.C. area. Partly due to the fact that they don’t require any footprint in – or outside of the home. Sliding doors are a top choice for small decks, tight spaces, or homes with strict furniture arrangements because they don’t swing in or outside of the frame.
Sliding doors also frequently have a sliding screen, which allows you to open the door and increase the air flow in your home.
Because sliding doors operate on a track, they’re prone to debris increasing the friction on the wheels and decreasing operation. They can also be difficult to operate one-handed due to their weight and size, which is a consideration when choosing this style of door for your home.
Sliding patio doors typically come with fewer color and material options than swinging patio doors, but you do have an additional security measure with a “charlie bar,” which is a piece of wood or metal that prevents the door from opening using a physical barrier.
Sliding glass doors, unfortunately, lose more heat than any other style of door due to their all-glass construction – it seems that the very thing that makes sliding doors attractive is the one thing that will increase your energy consumption.
Many manufacturers are reducing energy loss from home patio doors with similar techniques that are used in windows – multiple panes with a thermal break, which is simply a plastic insulator between the two frames.
This insulator works to prevent heat or cold from traveling through the material and being lost outside your home.
Another thing to consider is whether your sliding glass door will be east or west-facing; if so, pay attention to the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) which is the measurement of how well the windows and glass doors block heat from the sun. SHGC is measured from 0 to 1, with the lower numbers meaning that less heat is transmitted into the home.
For west-facing doors, strive for a number in the 0.25 range as that’s recommended for southern climates to reduce heat build up and should be more than enough to satisfy your requirements.
ALCO can help you determine whether a sliding door is right for you during your complimentary evaluation.
Swinging Patio Doors
Swinging Patio Doors operate in a very similar way to exterior hinged doors. They’re hinged on one side and swing inward or outward, depending on your specific need. While they come with an ease of use because the handles are easy to operate, they do require a specific sized footprint that you want to ensure you have available in your space.
Additionally, swinging patio doors do not come with a screen, whereas sliding patio doors almost always come with a screen door included.
Swinging patio doors come in a variety of materials – from vinyl and fiberglass to steel and wood. Your decision depends on your desire for durability, security, and aesthetics.
With fiberglass, you can achieve the look and feel of real wood without the upkeep required. Fiberglass doors are built to resist any climate and to require minimal painting and repair.
Wood patio doors require more upkeep – whether staining or painting – but are built to resist the elements and also to provide a unique, rich look and feel to your door.
Steel patio doors are an economical option, offering durability and strength and minimal maintenance. Steel doors also offer an added benefit of being intrusion resistant. Many steel doors are treated to resist rust and moisture.
Vinyl doors are chosen for their affordability and durability, as well as its extreme energy efficiency. Vinyl doors are designed to never fade, peel or rot because the color is baked into the material itself.
Whatever material you choose for your swinging patio doors, there’s a design and color option to fit your home.
Keep in mind that the material you choose will have little impact on your overall energy rating; in fact, it’s more the material that the window consists of that will impact your energy use.
When choosing your door, discuss with your ALCO representative the differences in energy efficient options. For instance, you want to find a door with a low U-Factor – the measurement of how well your door prevents heat from escaping – and that can be achieved with the addition of thermal spacers, dual or triple panes, and the addition of Argon or Krypton gas insulation in between the panes.
As with other entry doors and interior doors in your home, the hardware you choose can complement the door and your home’s aesthetic. You can choose handles and hinges in multiple finishes, from chrome to oil-rubbed bronze to brushed satin nickel – whatever style you choose for your home.
Additionally, you can choose to have crossbars (muntins) in between your panes of glass or not – depending on the aesthetic and style you’re looking for. Your ALCO rep can show you the options that you have and help you choose the best fit for your home.
Storm Doors
Storm doors are a relatively low-cost way to protect your home, increase the life of your exterior door, and increase your energy efficiency. Additionally, storm doors have screen options that give you the opportunity to increase the ventilation in your home while also increasing the amount of natural light you let in.
Storm doors increase your energy efficiency by creating an extra pocket of insulation at one of the main places that air escapes your home – your front door. When you have cracks along the top, bottom and sides of your main entry door, a storm door can offset some of that energy loss.
There are options you can take to increase your storm door’s energy efficiency, too, like choosing a door with multiple panes to increase the U-Factor (the measurement of how well your door prevents heat from escaping.).
If your door is east or (especially) west-facing, consider researching the Solar Heat Gain Coefficient (SHGC) of your chosen material. The lower the SHGC, the more heat is blocked from the sun. This will help you keep your home from heating during the summer months in hot afternoon sun.
Lastly, a storm door typically comes with a locking mechanism, which gives your home an added layer of security or barrier against intruders. And if you want to protect yourself against unwanted visitors, you can screen them before you unlock your door to them.
Storm doors come in a variety of styles, materials, and colors. You can choose to have an all-glass storm door, one with decorative metal finishes, or one with a built-in screen for airflow. You can choose a dark or a light storm door, and most doors are able to be painted to customize the look of your home.
Additionally, the hardware you choose for your door handle can complement the color of the door, the style of your home, and the hardware you use on your doors and windows surrounding the door.
Talk with your ALCO representative about all your options and we can help you design the perfect door for your needs.
Wood Doors for Beautiful Home Restoration in Historic D.C. Neighborhoods
The Washington D.C., area is known for its historic districts and charming homes. Brightwood, Capitol Hill, Georgetown and other nearby districts are filled with beautiful old homes.
These areas sometimes have specific requirements when homeowners are choosing replacement doors, which means you may need to consider historic door styles to match your home and neighborhood’s aesthetic.
D.C. preservation covenants for historic homes in these prestigious neighborhoods have specific guidelines. For doors, wood is by far the most commonly requested material.
Steel doors are stamped, and fiberglass doors are made from a mold. They don’t match the style of historic homes like wood doors, which is why many homeowners who own historic homes choose exterior wood doors. Wood emits the warmth and craftsmanship of a bygone era—which may also be why so many preservation societies prefer wood doors.
For years, homeowners avoided wood doors because of the fear that they warp. But this is no longer the case. The wood doors of today are far superior, safer and better constructed to prevent warping and other issues.
At Alco Products, we proudly offer Marvin Doors. These top-of-the-line wood doors can be used in a variety of home styles, including contemporary, traditional and craftsman, but where they really excel is with custom historic doors. Their Signature line of doors has the look homeowners and preservation societies want, with proper, modern construction to modernize the entryways of historic D.C. homes without compromising style.
What are the benefits of choosing a well-constructed Marvin wood door for your historic home?
Average Cost of Installing New Exterior Doors
Are you concerned about the cost to install a new front door? There are a lot of factors that can impact your total cost to install a new Marvin or ProVia door, which makes it hard to give a general estimate. Each homeowner’s door replacement needs are different, so their costs will be different too.
There are plenty of factors that can affect your exterior door installation cost. For example, a steel door will be the most affordable, but you can’t beat the value or energy-efficiency ratings that a high-caliber wooden door or fiberglass door has. These doors also tend to be higher in price.
What impacts your total cost when you are having a new door installed?
Replacing your exterior doors is an investment in your home. A compromised door can let all kinds of moisture into your home, do major structural damage, and present concerning security issues. When you need new exterior doors, don’t wait for too long.
This is why Alco Products offers financing options, so you can complete your home projects when you most need them without delay or worry about the door replacement cost.
A Smooth Door Installation Process to Protect Your Warranty
We take out the door and the frame, as well as the exterior brick molding. We work to save the interior trim if possible, but replace it if it becomes warped or broken.
After we’ve removed the door, we inspect the opening to check for mold, mildew, moisture or rot – if any compromised materials are found, we will alert you immediately and let you know your options for remediation.
The new door comes pre-installed with its own door frame, so we’re able to slide that directly into place where the old door and door jamb came from.
We reinstall the interior trim (or install new trim if required) and then seal inside with interior-grade caulking to prevent any air leaks.
Outside, we replace the brick molding and wrap the exterior in trim foil to protect the trim as well as create a fully finished look.
After that, the door hardware is installed and you’re ready to enter your home in style!
Your New Replacement Door Is Guaranteed
ALCO stands behind not only the workmanship we provide but the products we use. If your new door is still under manufacturer’s warranty and there is a defect with the materials, ALCO will provide labor free of charge to repair or replace the product that we installed. Additionally, any product we install on or in your home will be free of defect due to faulty workmanship for the lifetime of the product’s manufacturer warranty.
That means if you need your door repaired or replaced because of something ALCO or the manufacturer did, we’ll come and do the work for free.
Best Door Maintenance for Long-Lasting Exterior Doors
Once our team of experienced professionals installs your new exterior doors with our efficient, masterful door replacement processes, your new door is covered by a limited lifetime warranty. We’ll carefully inspect your door and our installation to ensure everything is free of defects. We ensure that we’re providing you with a dependable installation process to protect your warranty.
Once your door replacement is complete, what kind of upkeep is necessary? What exterior door maintenance should you perform given the D.C. area climate fluctuations and weather?
Front door maintenance changes based on the material of your front door.
Steel Doors
Steel doors require little maintenance. They may need to be wiped down from time to time, but they should be inspected for dents, paint chips, and scratches, which left unrepaired can lead to rusting, especially in a humid environment where the average humidity level in June is 80 percent relative humidity.
Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass doors don’t rust, rot, warp, or deteriorate and can be painted to change colors when you need a change, They are susceptible to scratching and denting, which may require some maintenance, but this happens less with fiberglass than with wood or steel.
Wood Doors
Wood doors can be relatively low maintenance, but the moisture of humid or rainy D.C. weather can lead to rot or seep into joints that allow air to enter and exit your home. Wood needs a moisture-barrier protective coating like paint or sealer to protect it and should be inspected for peeling or chipping paint, which needs to be remedied right away. Door maintenance is an important part of extending the life of your wood door.
Vinyl Patio Doors
Vinyl patio doors are very low maintenance. They just need to be wiped down with a soft cloth and soapy water and may benefit from the use of a vinyl conditioner.
How to Find an Exterior Door Contractor Near You
Is there a better option to find a replacement door installer beside a meandering internet search for a “door contractor near me?” You need a contractor who is up to the task of exterior door installation. An improper seal on your door can expose your home to air leaks, moisture, and other structural issues, so how do you know you’ve found the right contractor?
You could hire a general contractor or attempt to install your exterior door yourself, but it’s not a good idea to risk your home to someone who doesn’t specialize in installing doors. A dependable contractor who regularly installs exterior doors like Alco Products knows the intricacies of replacing your door to protect your home and your warranty.
What should you know about finding a qualified contractor? Here’s the mark of a reliable contractor for your front-door installation:
What other questions should you ask your contractor?
At Alco Products, we are a proud Marvin Authorized Replacement Contractor. We’ll walk you through the entire replacement process from selection to completion, we’ll work with Marvin on your behalf, and we are well versed in the proper techniques to meticulously and accurately install your door.
Why Choose Alco Products as Your Local Contractor for Door Installation
At Alco Products, we pride ourselves on the work we do for homeowners in Washington, D.C. when they need a door replacement. Not only does your designated Alco Products design consultant keep you apprised of your door installation process from start to finish, but as a family-owned and operated business, we treat you like family too.
What does that mean?
Alco Products is a consistent earner of GuildQuality’s Best Pick Reports. By choosing Alco Products, you join thousands of homeowners who trust our installation standards and customer service. We’ll work on your schedule, and it’s our firm belief that our relationship with your family starts with your door replacement. Once you have your new door, we’re here whenever you need us for siding, windows, and roof replacement.
Throughout D.C., Maryland and Virginia, we provide homeowners with secure replacement door installation. If you search “Marvin Doors Contractor Near Me,” you’ll find that we’re the area’s preferred door installer. And when the time comes for a Marvin Window Authorized Contractor near you, we can take care of your windows too.
We also specialize in ProVia door installation, which means you have your choice of top-quality doors in the styles and materials you desire. Alco Products also offers a limited lifetime labor warranty to protect your new door for years to come.
Learn more about what we can do: Check out this gallery of our recent door replacements, and hear what our clients have to say about the work we do right in your neighborhood.
At Alco Products, we’re homeowners too. We understand that installing new exterior doors is a major decision. It shouldn’t be a major inconvenience to repair an outdated or deteriorating door. We work hard to ensure the process is painless so your new exterior doors enhance the look of your home without any added stress.
For over 60 years, we’ve helped homeowners in your area with over 100,000 installations—the right way. Get peace of mind and be confident in your home again with a beautiful new exterior door.
Schedule a free consultation, and get a quote for your new home replacement door installation today.
- Choose a door contractor who is permanent to the D.C. area, knows your neighborhood, and has a stable, permanent business location.
- Never hire a contractor who operates without insurance.
- Pick a contractor with strong customer reviews and a track record of exceptional service.
- Avoid working with door-to-door solicitors, who tend to be less reliable.
- Ensure your contractor has a license to work in the area.
- Are they verified by their materials manufacturers?
- Do they have examples of previous work on homes similar to yours?
- What experience do they have working on historic homes in Washington, D.C.?
- What kind of warranty do they offer?
- No-pressure sales
- Responsive communication
- Detailed proposals
- Clean job sites
- Protect your home from hot and cold temperatures
- Keep intruders out
- Keep precipitation and wind out.
- Represent your style to the world.
- Attractive styles in a variety of wood options for a customized look
- New safety features like well-anchored security plates to make it nearly impossible for intruders to break in
- Superior durability and insulation with solid wood or solid engineered wood cores
- The material of your door
- The intricacy of your door’s design
- The hardware, handles, and locks you choose
- Whether or not your door has glass, or if you choose sidelight windows and/or transoms
- What kind of warranty your door offers
- Whether or not you need a custom door
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