Do You Need Door Installation Services? Here's How to Tell

Are your exterior doors looking worse for wear or not functioning properly? While they clearly contribute a lot towards your home's curb appeal, they also have important duties when it comes to keeping your house energy efficient and secure against intruders. And when they're in poor condition, they can cause a multitude of problems for homeowners.

Wondering if your entryway issues are serious enough to require hiring a door installation service? We'll explain the common warning signs that your entrance can't last another season and needs to be replaced now. Since your entryway is such a noticeable part of your house’s exterior, a new installation is the perfect opportunity to make a big impact on your home’s appearance. This project can also boost curb appeal, and even increase your property value when it comes time to sell.

When you're ready to make the change, you can rely on the professional installers at Mr. Handyman of S Orange/Westfield/Scotch Plains and Metuchen to get the job done efficiently—and provide peace of mind.

Signs You Need Door Installation Services

If your entryway has only suffered minor damage, such as peeling paint or a ripped screen, repairs will likely be sufficient to get it back in great shape. But, if the damage is more extensive, removing the old entryway altogether and going with a new door will be more cost-effective in the long run. You can also rest assured that your entrance will be safe and function properly. Here are some common symptoms of an entryway that needs to be replaced.

Air Drafts

Do you shiver whenever you get close to an exterior entryway? Cold drafts coming in through a degraded frame don't just make your home uncomfortable, they also decrease its energy efficiency by forcing your heating and cooling system to work harder. If you've noticed your energy bill has increased even though your usage hasn't changed, that's a clear sign you need a new entrance installed.

Difficulty Opening and Closing

If you have to push and shove to get in and out of your house, something's wrong. Entranceways should be able to swing freely on their hinges without rubbing or grinding against the frame (or worse, the floor). This problem can be caused by your house settling over time and causing the frame to warp. Or, the door itself could be out of alignment. Either way, the entire entry should be replaced so it can swing open and shut with ease.

Rotten Wood

Wooden entries are exposed to the elements, which leaves them vulnerable to wood rot. Stringy, spongy, softwood is caused by rot; but the earliest sign of decay is discoloration. The wood may appear lighter or darker in some areas or has a white, yellow, or purplish hue. If you notice signs of wood rot on the frame, it's likely the interior is affected as well.

Insect Damage

Maze-like holes or channels on your entryway’s surface are the work of wood-destroying insects such as termites and carpenter ants. But internal damage might not be so obvious. If your entry doesn't seem as heavy as it used to be, or makes a hollow sound when tapped, it could be under attack by insects that are hollowing it out from the inside.

Foggy Windows

When a window becomes foggy because of condensation trapped between two panes of glass, it needs to be replaced—and if that window happens to be part of a door, the entire structure should be replaced. While there are services to remove condensation, they are temporary and require ongoing treatments. These constant treatments are frustrating and costly.

Vandalism Damage

If you've been forced to deal with vandalism or home intrusion that has resulted in broken locks, large dents, or damage to your entryway, replacement may be needed to re-secure your home and give you back peace of mind.

Increase Property Value

While this isn't a sign of damage, it is a compelling reason to hire door installation services. If you're thinking of selling in the near future, a brand-new entryway will impress prospective buyers to help seal the deal. A quality entrance has an excellent return on investment, so you can expect to recoup much of your costs once the sale goes through.

Types of Doors

If you have a front door installation project in mind, you may have noticed that there's an overwhelming variety of doors available, each with its own unique installation process. Whether you're looking at the differences between exterior pre-hung doors and traditional slab doors—or the vast array of options such as sliding, hinged, French, multi-slide and bifold patio doors—it pays to do some basic research on the type of door that will suit your needs best. Don't forget your loyal companions! We can also install a pet door that will allow your furry friends to come and go as they, please.

But, if you aren't sure what to choose or want to know more about the pros and cons of various options—such as product performance, installation costs, and storm doors—you don't have to figure it out alone. Mr. Handyman can offer expert advice based on your property and family’s unique needs, and there are other great reasons to hire handyman services for this type of work as well.

Mr. Handyman is Your Local, Expert Door Installation Service!

If you are in North Central New Jersey, you can rely on Mr. Handyman of S Orange/Westfield/Scotch Plains and Metuchen to complete your exterior door projects with proper installation techniques and quality workmanship.

Give us a call today to learn more information, and to get started on transforming your home.