Out with the old, in with the new: Signs it’s time to retire your door
A shabby front door does no favours for your home’s curb appeal—no surprise there. But what you might not know is that, as doors age, they also become less and less energy efficient, leaving you shivering in the winter and roasting on hot summer days. So how can you tell when it’s time to upgrade to a newer, more efficient front door?
There are a few reasons why you might want to replace your front door. Let’s start with aesthetics. After all, you only get one chance to make a first impression! You may want to give your home’s façade a new look, swap your outdated door for something a little more modern, or boost your home’s value before putting it on the market.
No matter your reason, swapping out your front door is an investment worth every penny. It’s a strategic renovation choice, since the front door is one of the first things a potential buyer sees during a showing. Whether they realize it or not, homebuyers usually decide whether to buy a house within the first few minutes of viewing a property—before they even make it inside!
Signs that your door is past its prime
From a practical standpoint, it’s a good idea to replace your front door when there are obvious signs of wear and tear or noticeable impacts on your home’s energy performance.
Here are a few signs it’s time to retire your front door:
- Split or weathered wood
- Fading or dents
- Worn out, cracked or missing weather stripping
- Mould or excessive condensation
- Air drafts
- Frost forming on the door or frame in the winter
To get a clearer picture of your home’s energy performance, you can call in a Rénoclimat professional to make an assessment and recommend improvements. Note that home visits are currently suspended due to the pandemic.
Choosing a quality replacement
For the best in energy performance and comfort, choose quality products. Think of your house like a system where every component contributes to energy efficiency. If your home’s envelope is too permeable, the benefits of using ENERGY STAR® certified HVAC appliances may (literally) go right out the door. That’s why high performance doors are a lasting investment in your comfort.
A good quality door will keep your home comfortable and offer superior energy performance (insulation) and sound dampening. You’ll also want to choose a door that’s built to stand the test of time. The Novatech High Performance (NHP) system delivers on all fronts. NHP steel doors are thicker than standard models and offer superior structural resistance to withstand the ravages of time, the elements and the vagaries of everyday life.
