Your front door is tasked with many important roles, it not only allows you and your family entrance into your home, it provides security against any unwanted guests and it is a focal point of your home’s exterior aesthetics. Now, your front door may not be the only entryway into your home, but for many it is the primary entrance used. And this means it gets more use and is subject to more wear and tear than the other entrance ways. Couple the extended use with the exposure to the extreme Ontario elements and you can understand why your front door doesn’t last as long as your home stands. While some maintenance and repairs can extend your front door’s life expectancy, paint, freshly tightened hinges and new weather stripping will not prevent your door from reaching a final breaking point.

To assist you in recognizing when your door is close to this breaking point we have put together a list of 4 tell-tale signs it’s time to replace your front door:

1. WEATHERED & WARPED

Your front door is exposed to all sorts of weather conditions, from the rays of the hot summer sun to snow and ice on the coldest of winter days. Not to mention being kicked open, slammed shut and all other abuse it gets from us. The expansion and contraction that comes with the repeated cycle of hot summers and cold winters can cause wood to eventually warp and crack. This type of damage may lead to exposed gaps for air and moisture to seep through and cause additional problems. If your front door is starting to look worn, old and weathered don’t just brush it off as added character. Look into your replacement options.

2. AESTHETIC APPEAL

It is no secret that your windows and doors considerably influence your home’s curb appeal. If the front of your home is due for a refresh, a beautiful new front door will instantaneously increase your home’s aesthetic appeal. If you are planning on putting your home up for sale, a new front door will help increase your resale value, and is a quick upgrade that you can complete that will catch the attention of potential buyers.

3. PHYSICAL DAMAGE

A front door covered in scratches, scrapes, rust and dings shows the structural integrity of the door may be compromised. Rust also points out or indicates a moisture issue that more than likely stems all the way to the wooden core inside your door. If your door looks beat up and shows signs of being in a weakened condition, it also poses a security risk. It may attract potential burglars and intruders, as it represents an easy access point. Take a closer look at your front door and assess how easy it would be for anyone to break it in.

4. DIFFICULT TO OPERATE

Once your door begins to stick or jam, it may require additional force just to open or close it. Difficulty opening and closing your door may be due to a number of potential issues. The fix may be as simple as adjusting the hinges, or replacing the weather stripping, but if is due the continued expansion and contraction caused by the weather changes, the repair isn’t as simple and will more than likely require extensive repairs such as having your door resized or planed. A difficult door is not only an inconvenience, it also costs you money as it allows air to enter and exit your home making it difficult to maintain a consistent internal temperature.