Front Doors: Your Entryway to Hearth & Home!

When approaching your home, does your front door invite you in? Is it helping you save on energy bills? Is it safe and secure? Is it reflecting your home’s personality—and the people within?

At SGC Exteriors, we think your entryway should be invitingly beautiful. Maintenance-free and energy efficient. Offer a safe haven. Reveal your pride in homeownership.

There are many factors to consider when choosing an entryway system or patio or storm door. The choices you make should take into consideration cost, energy-efficiency, noise-reduction, maintenance, ease of use, security and privacy, warranty and professional installation. Then there are the aesthetics: designs that work with the way you live and appropriate for the architectural style of your home—including new glass options that will let in light yet help you maintain your privacy.

Also, the doors you choose you may make you eligible for energy tax credits.

We recommend that you select doors that have a U-Factor (how much heat loss a product allows) less than 0.30 and a SHGC (solar heat gain coefficient) less than 0.30 (the lower the number on these scales, the better). A good gauge is looking for doors with the Energy Star logo.

There is also the R-value (a measure of thermal resistance) to consider. The R-value indicates a door’s ability to impede heat flow. The larger the number, the better the insulating benefits.

Keep in mind, there are many types of entry doors on the market that generally fall into three categories: steel, fiberglass and wood. There are also storm doors to consider. Each type has its benefits and its costs.

Steel Doors

Steel Doors: The least expensive way to redo an entryway is by buying a new steel door. These durable doors are very secure, won’t warp and are often coated with high-grade baked-on polyester finish. Normal wear and tear on these doors does sometimes call for periodic maintenance in the form of new paint and dent removal. Steel doors can be found in either a smooth or wood-grain finish. The doors’ energy efficiency can be determined by the type of insulation used in the core of the door. Steel doors can be architecturally enhanced with raised panels, decorative glass and beautiful hardware.

  • Finishing Options: Paint or stain
  • SGC Exteriors Is Proud to Offer: Therma-Tru and Masonite
Fiberglass Doors

Fiberglass Doors: This category is fastest growing in quantity, type and selection. Selections for fiberglass doors have increased in the last few years as people are looking for alternatives in materials that are more environmentally sustainable, energy efficient, family friendly and beautiful—not to mention durable and secure. Fiberglass doors are becoming more and more popular in the entryway category because the door configurations are endless, the maintenance low, and the warranties are usually lifetime. Sturdy construction does not warp, peel or crack. Durable finishes and wood grain or smooth options lend to an appealing choice for any home design and décor. Add decorative glass, stylish hardware and sidelights to complete your custom look.

  • Finishing Options: Paint or stain. Textures: Many options
  • SGC Exteriors Is Proud to Offer: Therma-Tru and Masonite
Wood Doors

Wood Doors: Wood doors offer a distinct beauty that natural wood brings: perfect for staining to match your interiors, especially in vintage homes. Energy efficiency is dependent on the structure of the door. Is it solid wood all the way through? Is the core a composite with a veneer “skin?” Does the manufacturer offer a moisture protection option with an extended warranty against warping? Wood doors come in a variety of hardwood species, including maple, oak, mahogany, walnut and cherry. Softer woods such as Douglas fir and pine should be painted to maximize longevity. Wood doors do have higher maintenance requirements, in that they should be painted or varnished with polyurethane every few years to protect the door warranty. If not, they can deteriorate with weather. In general, wood doors should be protected by a storm door to keep the elements at bay. Enhance your wood doors with decorative glass options, beautiful hardware and matching sidelights.

Patio Doors

Patio Doors: Patio doors are a nice way to enter your home off a deck, from a balcony or three-season room. New Sliding door or swinging patio doors offer the natural light intake of large windows with the convenience of an additional passageway in a heavy traffic area. Patio doors come in several styles, configurations and materials. Four popular types are vinyl, wood clad with aluminum, steel and fiberglass. Most manufacturers offer complimentary windows so that all materials and colors coordinate. You can select the grilles you like, interior and exterior color and door hardware, as well as a glass package. Use of performance glass with the patio door you choose will increase your comfort and may qualify for energy tax credits.

Storm Doors

Storm Doors: Storm doors protect the door on your entryway system from the weather and add another layer of energy efficiency and security to your home. Storm doors are made of aluminum, can come with decorative ‘kick’ panels and offer glass options for beauty and safety. Ventilation through screening can accommodate the activity of kids and household pets. Storm doors can be painted and stained to match your entryway system, or used as an accent color. There are also half and full door glass/screen options.

Door Configurations

Door Configurations:
Single Entry • Single Entry with Sidelites • Double Entry • French Patio • Sliding Patio • Storm

Replacement Doors, What to Look For: