Living in Minnesota, you understand the importance of having doors that can withstand harsh weather conditions while providing security, insulation, and looking great. Whether building a new home or replacing old doors, selecting the right ones is crucial. Here are ten essential features of a quality door to consider when choosing doors here in the Land of 10,000 Lakes:

Need new doors installed? Call CoMitted 365 Roofing & Exteriors to get the job done.

10 Features of a Quality Door

As you’re selecting new doors for your home, the team at CoMitted 365 has put together a few key features to keep in mind:

1. Insulation: Given Minnesota’s cold winters, look for doors with excellent insulation properties to help maintain indoor warmth and energy efficiency. Look for doors with insulated cores, weather-stripping seals, and Low-E glass to help reduce energy bills.
2. Energy Star Certification: Doors with Energy Star certification meet strict energy efficiency standards set by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). They can help you save on heating and cooling costs year-round.

   You’ll also want to choose doors with water-resistant finishes and durable construction materials to remain durable against extreme temperature changes and precipitation. Remember to seal it up! Quality weatherstripping and properly installed thresholds can help create a barrier against drafts and water penetration.

3. Material: Wood, fiberglass, steel, and aluminum—different materials offer durability, maintenance, and aesthetics. Choose what complements your home’s style. If you want minimal maintenance, consider fiberglass or steel, which are resistant to warping, rotting, and insect damage and require little upkeep to stay looking great.
4. Style and Design: Choose a door style and design that complements your home’s architecture and reflects your taste, including traditional, modern, or rustic designs.
5. Color: Before choosing a color, consider your home’s architectural style, whether you want to complement or contrast the existing design, and the type of light you get. Lighter colors, especially whites and pastels, may show dirt and stains; darker colors may fade over time when exposed to direct sunlight.
6. Safety and Security: To enhance your home’s security, opt for doors with solid locks, deadbolts, and reinforced frames. Consider multi-point locking systems for added protection and to deter potential intruders.
7. Sound Insulation: If noise reduction is important to you, look for doors with thick glass panels, insulated cores, and tight seals to minimize noise transmission from the outside.
8. Accessibility: If you have specific accessibility needs, such as wheelchair access, look for doors with wider openings, lever handles, and other features of doors that accommodate mobility requirements.
9. Customization Options: Some manufacturers offer customizable door options, allowing you to tailor the size, shape, color, hardware, and more to your specific preferences and requirements.
10. Location of Your Home: If you’re replacing your front door, spend more time thinking about how it looks. If you’re replacing your side or back door, you may want to prioritize functionality and durability.

Pro-tip: Check to see if your manufacturer offers a warranty. This can give you peace of mind that your doors are covered against defects and damage for a sufficient period. 

Why Have Your Doors Professionally Installed?

Even the highest-quality doors won’t perform optimally if they’re not installed correctly. Hire a reputable contractor with experience in door installation and replacement to ensure proper fitting, sealing, and alignment, maximizing your doors’ efficiency and longevity.