6 Things to Consider Before Purchasing a New Door
When installing a door there are a few things that need to be considered from hiring a locksmith for new keys as well as the different types of keys that are available. This is especially important if you are installing a door to a commercial building. Commercial door locks come in so many shapes and sizes and getting keys duplicated for commercial doors is not always the easiest process. However, before you even get to that point, there are six other things that need to be considered that will be broken down in to three points for the purpose of this article. They are:
- Style and Design
The front door is the first impression to any building or home. It’s what gives people the first overall feel of the establishment. You must consider the material that the door is going to be made out of and what it says about the building. There are a lot of different options such as wood, steel, fiberglass and more. Every material will have a different kind of feel, weight and look. You’ll also want to consider if you want glass in your door. If you are installing a door to the front of a company, you may want glass doors for the sake of attracting attention to the business inside and giving off the feel of being more open and welcoming. But if you are installing a residential door, a door made of glass might not be the best idea if you are wanting to provide security and privacy for your family. Sitting down with an expert will give you a good idea of what your options are and what they will impression they will give newcomers. - Security and Privacy
No matter what the door opens up to, every door should have the ability to provide safety and if needed, an element of privacy. Some establishments don’t need or want the privacy a door can offer, but it should always be the first line of defense against people with ill intent. This means looking into different locking mechanisms as well as the sturdiness of the door or thickness of the glass. Would you want a key turn lock as well as a dead bolt? Maybe a number key pad would be a good idea on your company’s front entrance so that everyone can have their own code and you know you is coming and going after hours. If your door is going on a home then you must also consider privacy. You don’t want thieves to be able to see directly inside the front of the house. If you do like the idea of glass for your home, you could use frosted glass or even hang curtains. - Warranty and Installation
Warranty should be one of the first things you think about when making a big purchase of any kind. Should something malfunction, you need to know that you will not have to pay for the company’s mistakes. It would be a good idea to do some research and find out how long the particular type of door that you want to purchase lasts and compare that against the warranty. Also, make sure you know what is covered by the warranty before you purchase the door. When finding out about the warranty, you should also ask about installation. Not all door companies include installation but most will install at an extra charge. However, some companies will not extend warranty if you install the door yourself. They figure the only way to ensure that it was done properly is to have their own experts take care of the installation and then all the work that they do can be guaranteed.
The right door can really make a difference to your home or business, but make sure you look in to all your options and know exactly what you are doing before making any purchases. Installing a door can actually be easily done incorrectly so it’s probably a good idea to call in an expert and let them handle it. As mentioned before, this might be necessary in order to get the warranty but even if not, having a professional involved will ensure that the job is done correctly the first time.
