We talk about window replacement a lot. We do it so much and so well we named our entire company after it! But we also replace doors. Why? Because, just like windows, they can have a huge influence on your home energy bills and aesthetics!
We know that most people will replace their doors for the same reasons they replace windows– they’re damaged or have become inefficient over time. But most people don’t look at their doors closely very often. More often than not you look at it to open it or to lock it. Other than that, you forget it.
So most people don’t know when their door may need replacing. So we’ve put together this checklist of items to examine to determine if you need a new door. In our next post, we’ll talk about all your options for door replacement.
How can I tell if my door needs to be repaired or replaced?
Just like with windows, people often assume they’ll be “able to tell” when their door needs to be replaced. They assume that it will be falling off the hinges, or broken in half before it needs to be fixed or replaced.
But a broken or inefficient door can make your entire house colder (or warmer!) than it needs to be, leading to massive energy bills. To help you figure this out for yourself, here’s a list of ways to tell if your door isn’t doing it’s best.
1. You can see light coming from around the door – If you can see light coming from the bottom, side, or top of the door (anywhere that isn’t filled with a window or peep hole), your door needs to be fixed or replaced. It isn’t sealing properly. This doesn’t just let air in — it also lets in moisture, insects, and pollutants from outside.
2. It’s hard to open or close – Doors are designed to close and open easily. The seals that protect your home from the outside world work best when the door is aligned and shut properly. If the door sticks when you try to open or close it, it’s sticking somewhere, which could mean it’s not properly aligned and seals aren’t working at 100% efficiency. While not every sticking door needs to be replaced, they do need to be looked at.
3. It’s difficult to lock – This is especially true of doors which use deadbolts to lock. If you have trouble sliding the lock into place, it could be a sign that the alignment, and therefore the seals, aren’t working properly.
4. It fails the candle test – As we mentioned in our post about windows, you can put a lit candle in front of your door to test for gusts of wind coming through. If your candle goes out, you have a major problem with your door.
5. You can see the door sagging in the frame – If the door is sagging in the frame, it probably isn’t sealing properly, even if you don’t see light coming in.
6. They’re just plain ugly – Old, ugly doors are less efficient than newer, modern versions. If you have older doors, it may be worth having them examined by a professional. Upgrading could help with energy bills and the resale value of your home.
Join us next time when we talk about how to tell if your door needs to be replaced completely, and we discuss your various options.
