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If you're building a new home or considering an upgrade, you may be looking for exterior doors. As one of the first things that others will see when they look at your home, you want it to be both stylish and functional. Consider your home's climate, style, neighborhood, and features when looking at the different options. Materials The main materials used for exterior doors are fiberglass, wood, and steel. Fiberglass - This type of material can look and feel like real wood, but without the maintenance. You can choose a style that has the grainy look and coloring of many different types of wood. They are made to hold up in just about any climate, so they are great in extremely hot, cold, wet, or dry areas. Wood - Natural wood is beautiful, but it does require regular maintenance. You can find exterior doors in fir, pine, mahogany, oak, and many other trees. The different types will have different a grain, color, and sap content. Steel - The main advantage of steel is its strength and durability. This type of product only requires minimal maintenance and are treated so that they are resistant to rust. However, you may not have as many choices in styles or designs as with other materials. Energy Efficiency Wood types typically do not provide as much insulation as steel or fiberglass, but you can find models in any material that are energy star qualified. Look for ones that indicate they have tight-fitting frames and energy-efficient cores. If it contains glass, make sure it is double- or triple-pane insulated. Features Glass - You may want to have glass panels that cover the entire door, only partially, on one side, or a combination. You can choose from different glass styles such as clear, textured, tinted, or decorated glass. If it will be facing the hot sunshine, you will want to make sure the glass is insulated to protect against excessive heat coming into the home. Security - Steel types are the most secure in terms of the construction and durability, but not much more than wood or fiberglass types. You will want to examine the types of locks that are available and how easy the locks are to access directly or through broken glass. Swing and Hinges - Most exterior doors are built to swing inward, but you may also choose for it to swing outward. Also, the hinges can be on the right or left side. Consider your overall home design and what would feel the most natural when greeting guests. When selecting exterior doors, consider what material and other features will fit with your personal style and home design. Shop around and ask questions that are important to you. When considering exterior doors, NJ residents visit Somerville Lumber. Learn more about this product at http://www.somervillelumber.com/Doors/index.html.
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