exterior front door advice..Maine, wind, sun, farmers porch

10 years ago

I need to replace my front door unit…steel door , two sidelights. ..the house has little protections from wind, snow, rain in all directions, although the door is facing south and there is a farmer's porch that affords SOME protection from the marsh, ocean and north weather. There is and there will be a storm door.

I have seen a door unit with 3/4 glass with matching sidelights…which will allow a lot of light into an otherwise darker portion of the front of the house. It looks very good on the house in the next town, also a coastal town. My concern, the unit is wood. Am I crazy to consider a wooden door with lots of glass even with a storm door??

Featured Answer

User

10 years ago

I love wood doors and I'd get a very heavy wood door and obviously use Spar varnish on it.

Sort by:Oldest

Comments (10)

User
10 years ago
hi bentap, no your not crazy. what happened to the metal door that was there.
bentap
Original Author
10 years ago
well, there is a lot of wind, and apparently with the previous owner , the storm door caught the wind….it ripped the jamb, and did some serious denting to the metal door ….I've limped along while I replaced windows and other exterior doors, but now it's the front door, I worry about the r factor for wood vs fiberglass, and the changes in winter and summer temps…as the sun really bakes the front yard. BUT that said, I'd love to have the sun coming in the front door...
Related Professionals
Commerce City Kitchen & Bathroom Designers · Cloverly Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Franconia Kitchen & Bathroom Remodelers · Ogden Interior Designers & Decorators · Ridgefield Park Interior Designers & Decorators · Asheboro General Contractors · Hanford General Contractors · Irving General Contractors · Klahanie General Contractors · Manalapan General Contractors · McPherson General Contractors · Oneida General Contractors · Saint George General Contractors · Valle Vista General Contractors · Van Buren General Contractors
User
10 years ago
hi bentap, how was the condition of the door before the storm door took it out. I'm thinking all wood or metal and when I say all wood, I mean solid no core material. the issue here sounds like the storm door. either door you get will require yearly maintaince. if what you say about the weather is true and I do believe you. looking at that picture you have no protection what so ever.
bentap
Original Author
10 years ago
well, the door was probably in fair condition, but it is also about 18 years old…..and my guess is on the less expensive side…since the wind comes from all directions, I have found not having the storm door with a "plunger" is best….If the wind does catch the door, it hits the side of the house and doesn't pull anything…Then I did think of a top and bottom door plunger……I always thought I would replace it with a high end fiberglass door, but then I saw this one…..
User
10 years ago
bentap im going to take back what I said in my previous post. I would go with fiberglass. after taking everything into consideration I believe that would be the best choice. choose a quality door like therma tru or better. spend a little more you wont be sorry. now the storm door. I will always recommend pella. but for your application check out a.j. manufacturing. ajdoor.com
localeater
10 years ago
What exactly is the concern?

I have a Thermatru full glass door, I live in Maine, my door is SE, I have 0 protection for the door, no roof, no porch, no storm door. I have neighbors with wood doors also fine.
User
10 years ago
hi localeater, I cant tell you how many times I have written a response to this post with my advice and deleted it. there are a lot of variables with each door. warping, dents cracking, yearly maintenance and what type of maintenance should be done. not to mention what temps and humidity between the storm door and entry door. a lot to consider. especially with just a paragraph and picture to go by.
bentap
Original Author
10 years ago
Thanks to all gene….it is a quandary…looks or convenience…my storm door which is wooden is problematic..am thinking of seeing what Classic Craft for styles……..to localeater…the biggest concern is the almost never ending cold winter wind that whipping around the porch…and the wooden front door I would love to put in……

think I'll do even more research….I did speak with the owner of the home with the door….a cape similar to mine without the weather exposure…she hadn't noticed any problem…but it has only been a few months with the new door unit…..

I have some good thoughts…..take care and thanks again
millworkman
10 years ago
Composite Door from a quality company like Provia or Homeguard as well as one of there storm doors.