8 Mistakes To Avoid When Buying a Front Door

Few home improvement processes are as important as replacing a front door, or as error-prone. If you've decided to replace a door or you're selecting a front door for a new build or remodel, we have decades of expertise helping homeowners just like you. This is your practical guide to avoiding common mistakes when buying a front door, and what to do instead.

The short answer: the most common front door mistakes are measuring inaccurately, ignoring design, choosing a weak material, shopping on price alone, overlooking swing direction, installing it incorrectly, skipping the warranty research, and neglecting maintenance.

Eight Common Front Door Buying Mistakes

01Measuring the Door Inaccurately

This is the most critical mistake you can make, so let's get it out of the way first. If you're ordering your door online, it's important to measure carefully and once you've done that, to double check your measurements. Make sure you're measuring the rough opening itself if you're getting a pre-hung door with jamb and threshold included. The rough opening is just what it sounds like, the opening in the wall without any framing or trim. Measure from the header at the top of the door opening down to the sub-floor, and from jack stud to jack stud. Measure in three places, at the top, middle, and bottom for jack studs, and right, middle, and left for the header. Use the smallest of the three measurements, if any variance exists. A door that's slightly small is easier to correct than a door that's too big.

02Ignoring Aesthetics and Door Design

Your front door is the face you show the world. It's the first thing guests interact with in your home. So it greatly affects your home's curb appeal. That's why you shouldn't just buy the first door you see that you kind-of like. A front entry door is as important of an identity marker as the car you drive. Take the time to compare and consider multiple designs. At RealCraft, you can customize everything from the wood species to the glass type so that the design matches your unique vision.

03Choosing the Wrong Material For Your Entry Door

What your front door is made out of is just as important as how it looks or getting it in the right dimensions. Lower cost doors with MDF or veneers on low-quality insulation makes a door easier to kick down, so it's a security flaw to not have a robust door. That's why our entry doors are always built with solid wood. We have twenty wood options to choose from so you're sure to find one that fits your style and climate.

04Only Shopping Based on Price

Everything about home improvement is expensive, but sometimes you do get what you pay for. While it's true that you can opt for a builder grade door, the hinges will wear out faster and it will be less insulating. Veneer products, once they're damaged, are virtually impossible to restore. When you choose to invest in a real wood door, on the other hand, you can be sure it will last for many years. A higher up-front cost tends to result in fewer necessary replacements down the line. In the long run, quality is the most cost effective choice.

We offer several affordable wood options, like Knotty Alder and Cherry, that are more approachable for the homeowner. And RealCraft also offers financing through Shop Pay, as well as interest-free installment payments.

05Not Thinking About Inswing/Outswing

The direction that your door opens can greatly influence its function and has implications for security. Most entry doors are inswing, meaning they swing into the house. This is optimal for security because it places the hinges inside. If the hinges are on the inside of the house, they can't be tampered with by people trying to gain entry from the outside.

But an outswing entry door may be necessary depending on the layout of your entryway. In that case, you can fortify your door with the right hinges that have a non-removable pin, or NRP hinges. You can check out our blog post about swing direction for more info.

06Improper Installation

If you aren't an experienced, seasoned DIY-er, then leave your front door installation to the professionals. A front door that isn't installed correctly can be a big security liability or lead to water damage down the line. Find a local contractor who can install your door and save yourself the trouble.

As part of installation, you'll also want to consider your door overhang. Sometimes, like in the image above, your home has a built-in door overhang because of its architectural features; a covered porch, portico, or deeply overhanging eaves are two such examples. But other times, you'll need to construct a door overhang. This protects your door from excessive exposure to the elements, greatly reducing how much overall maintenance the door will need. Which is obviously less work and stress for you, as well.

07Not Researching the Warranty

The warranty for a big purchase matters. You want your door manufacturer to stand behind their product and make things right in case there is a defect. That's why we have a comprehensive warranty for all our doors. Despite being a much smaller company, our warranty terms are on par with many big-box door brands, including for door glass, which we warranty for ten years.

08Slacking on Maintenance

Yes, this is a mistake that technically happens after purchase, but it's a big one nevertheless and it's one you ought to consider before purchasing. Doors need occasional maintenance to look and perform the best, there's just no way around it. If you'd take care of a nice car or boat, then you should take care of an artisanal bespoke door. Once you have your door, expect to periodically refresh the finish, clean and tighten the hinges, and replace the weatherstripping. By taking care of your door just a couple of times a year, you can protect your investment and keep your home looking its best.

Note: If you'd like assistance with a project you have in mind, please do not leave a comment below, as we cannot respond to them. Please email sales@realcraft.com with your question and a sales consultant will get back to you.