Entry doors for our Toronto area homes are much more than just a way into and out of the house. They can be stylish, functional, energy efficient, and safe. Or, they can be any combination of these. But in order to decide on the right entry doors for your Toronto home, you need to take all the available information into account.
Everyone wants their home to be safe, and secure, plus they want it to look nice, and be as energy efficient as possible. All these factors apply just as much to your entry doors as any other ingredient in the mix. Here are a few items to pay attention to when making your selections.
- Function – What purpose does this particular entry door installation serve?
- Durability – How well will this door stand up to time, and the elements?
- Security – Will this door foil your average intruder or burglar?
- Energy Efficiency – Will this door lower your heating and cooling costs?
- Style – Does the entry door compliment the style and look of your home?
- Price – How much door can you get for your money?
Obviously, a quality entry door installation should separate the outside from the inside and do it as completely and efficiently as possible. You will want to keep energy efficiency in the front of your mind, right next to price, while considering your other decision factors.
The door’s function may be to merely keep the elements out, like the exterior door that leads into your mud room or garage. Where there is little difference in temperature from one side of the door to the other, a sturdy, secure door will be an easy choice. Generally speaking, the door into your garage is not visible from the front or back of your home and isn’t as heavily influenced by the overall look and style of your home. Here, try to get the most secure entry door you can for your budget. Other function considerations are doors that will lead to your patio or deck, and of course, your front door. Whatever the door is intended to do, make sure the installation you choose is specifically designed to do that job, and do it well.
Consider More Than Price When Choosing Entry Doors in Toronto
Your front door may easily shrug off a stray baseball, whether it’s made of wood or steel, but how well do you think it will hold up against that stone that your lawn mower just kicked out? Although you may never have to weather a hurricane, it’s a good idea to get a sturdy entry door for the front of your home, and use the same diligence when deciding on a patio door as well. This issue of durability will affect the security of an entry door too, so don’t try to get off cheap in this department.
And since I mentioned it, security, simply put, is how well an entry door will protect you and your family from potential home invaders or burglars. Ask yourself this question, “How well will this door protect me from a motivated intruder?” In this department, a rugged steel door is a good place to start. Other simple security devices can make the entry doors even safer, like a double cylinder deadbolt – these require a key to open from either side – a chain, and an extra wide view peephole. The configuration of your entryway will also add to the safety and security of your home. Perhaps one of the most secure configurations is a steel entry door with double cylinder deadbolt and chain, that is framed by narrow, frosted windows on each side, top to bottom. Any member of your home, short or tall, can look out from the windows (which are too narrow to slip through if broken), and assure their guest is not a threat. And even if the window is broken by the intruder, without a key to open the deadbolt on the inside too, this crook will just have to pick another house to rob.
Energy efficiency, as already stated, will help to more effectively separate the outside from the inside, and keep them that way. Doors and windows with higher energy efficiency can save you up to 15 percent on your heating and cooling bills, saving you money over the lifetime of your Toronto area home. Wooden doors are naturally insulated and conduct little, if any, heat, while steel doors with basically the same style and function, have to be filled with insulation to provide comparable energy efficiency.
You wouldn’t expect a Ferrari to look good with doors off a mid-80’s Chrysler station wagon, and the style of entry doors that you choose for your Toronto home will be a similar issue to address. A colonial style home will look great with the previously mentioned “secure” door installation with the narrow side windows and a large, half-round window above it, and a Tudor style home’s back deck would look beautiful with a stately set of French doors leading out. Though style is one of the least important factors, it has very little effect on your final price, so take a moment to at least consider the looks of your new entry doors.
And, as they always say, last but not least, think about what you can afford to spend on your new entry doors. Spending a little more up front can actually save you a lot more in the long run, and if you find a practical, durable, stylish entry door that is secure and energy efficient, but a little more than you wanted to spend, give some serious thought to biting the bullet and shelling out the extra cash. Your home’s look isn’t the only thing you’re thinking about.
Remember, you are the only one who can pick the right entry doors for your Greater Toronto area home, so do what so many others in the area have done, and call Toronto Doors and Windows today and we’ll help you make the right choices.
We manufacture & sell the right entry doors in Toronto – call us today!
