A glass front door can provide a multitude of benefits for a property. They can last for a long time when they are cared for and maintained properly. As with most things, without the appropriate care, they will fall into disrepair far more quickly. A glass front door may substantially improve the curb appeal of your property. It can also improve energy efficiency and overall value. However, it is likely that you will eventually have to replace your glass front door. This is similar to the way in which windows eventually require replacement over time. Understanding the signs to identify when a glass front door needs to be replaced can go a long way toward enhancing its functionality and protecting your home. At Moyes Glass, we strive to provide the services that you need to ensure that your windows and doors meet all of your needs and expectations.
Check the Functionality of your Glass Front Door
When you have a glass front door, it is important that it continues to function effectively. It needs to provide you entry to the home, while still protecting your property. A door is intended to protect the inside of your home from external elements. If it is failing to do so, the door will need to be replaced. If a door is difficult to open, it is likely that the wood around the door has sustained water damage. This water damage is often caused by some issue with the weatherproofing seals on the door. This causes the wood to expand, which makes the door ultimately too large for the frame. If a door is difficult to close, there is another issue associated with its general functionality. This can prevent the door from effectively protecting the interior of your building. Ensuring that the door is easy to open and close, lock, and ultimately serves its purpose can help you to identify when the appropriate time is to replace your glass front door.
Look for Physical Signs of Damage
Physical signs of damage are relatively easy to find on your door. All you need to do is carefully examine both the exterior and interior of the door. During this stage, it will be necessary to consider what amount of damage will require complete replacement of the door. For example, more minor damage includes breaks or cracks present along the edges of the door. This damage can potentially escalate, so it may be better to replace the door entirely. This depends completely on your specific situation. It is also important to replace the front door if you notice signs of warping or rotting, as these types of damage can rarely be reversed. Replacing doors that have sustained substantial amounts of physical damage can help to ensure that the door is more capable of protecting the interior of your building.
Trapped Moisture
For double-paned glass doors, it is possible that moisture will become trapped between the two panes of glass. This simply leads to escalated damage, such as damage to the wood of the frame, as the moisture will be able to seep into the other components of the door. If moisture is allowed to penetrate between these panes of glass, it means that the seals are no longer functioning effectively. At this point, immediate action will be required to prevent the moisture damage from escalating. It is often a great idea to replace the front glass door to prevent moisture from penetrating between the panes of your entry door.
Modernize the Appearance
Sometimes replacing the door simply becomes a matter of improving the external appearance of the property. Trends change over time and you may wish to update the door to provide a more modern appearance for your property. Glass front doors help to implement an incredible, sophisticated appearance that can do wonders for the curb appeal of your property. If you have grown tired of the appearance of your front doors, replacing the front door can provide the makeover that you desire.
Drafts around the Door
Drafts can lead to a broad array of issues in the property. They allow energy to escape from the building, which can substantially increase your overall energy expenses. These drafts also detract from the level of comfort inside of the building. When there are drafts present in the building, it often results in the HVAC system having to work harder to regulate the temperature within the building. This can lead to the system breaking down, which will often require far more expensive repairs. It is important to identify when drafts are present and take the steps to resolve them. In some situations, you can seal the drafts, but in others, it may be more effective to replace the door.
There is a relatively easy way to identify when drafts are present around your front door. This is commonly known as the “flame test.” It involves holding a flame, like a candle or a lighter, around the cracks in the doorway. As you do so, carefully watch the direction of the flame. If it moves or flickers in an unexpected manner, it is likely that the door is allowing a draft through.
Contact our Experts
It is incredibly beneficial to obtain a new glass front door for your building. It can help to improve both its appearance and value. Replacing the glass front door can also help to ensure that the door is able to function effectively and protect your property. These are just a few of the benefits of replacing the front door of your building. You should also keep in mind that there are likely two exits and entryways for your property. The patio area can also benefit from the implementation of a glass door. These doors are most commonly sliding glass doors, which can help to blur the lines between the interior and exterior of your property. To obtain more information about glass doors for both the entry and backyard of your building, contact our professional team at Moyes Glass today!