METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
PART ONE INTRODUCTION TO METAL DOORS: RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
INTRODUCTION TO METAL DOORS: RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
There was once a time when people could leave their front doors open and not worry about anything untoward happening. Unfortunately, those days are long gone, and home invasions – with their attendant implications on so many innocent lives – have become an unpleasant, but very real, daily occurrence. Today, simply locking the door may not be enough to ensure your security, which is why more and more people are looking for impenetrable doors. Metal doors are without a doubt the toughest there are in the market. Any place that needs to be secured should definitely have one or more metal doors. If you’re looking for added security for your home or place of business, then you’ll certainly need metal doors. However, with so many different types and designs available, how would you know which ones would be right for your application? To figure this out, you’ll need to know the basic characteristics of metal doors.
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
INTRODUCTION TO METAL DOORS: RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
Metal doors are classified according to their cores. The most common cores that you’ll encounter are:
• Honeycomb– ideal for areas that do not require high thermal insulation
• Polyurethane
– best for cold climates since these provide superior insulation
• Polystyrene
– these also have an insulated core, but are best for areas that require a specific insulation factor (R-value or U-value)
• Steel Stiffened – these doors are normally used
for high traffic areas, but usually lack aesthetic properties
• Temperature Rise
– these are fire resistant doors that prevent heat from transferring from one area to another
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
INTRODUCTION TO METAL DOORS: RESIDENTIAL & COMMERCIAL
Other than selecting the core, you’ll also need to select the doorframe. Your choices in door frames are cold rolled steel, galvanized steel, and galvanneal steel. Frames made from cold rolled steel are best for interior applications. Meanwhile, galvanized steel frames offer more protection against corrosion, making them ideal for areas that are exposed to the elements. Galvanneal steel frames, on the other hand, have rust-resistant properties; however, primer and paint do not adhere to this type of material well, limiting aesthetic benefits.
Whether you’re selecting a metal door for a business location or for residential use, it’s imperative that you choose the right type of core and doorframe. In Part II, we’ll go deeper into the pros and cons of metal doors so you’ll be able to gauge whether you need to focus more on the strength of the door or its aesthetic properties. METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
PART TWO PROS AND CONS (PROTECTION VS STYLE)
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
PROS AND CONS (PROTECTION VS STYLE)
In Part I, we discussed the basic types of metal doors and door frames, as well as the properties of each type. However, aside from learning about those, you may also need to create the perfect balance between the ability of the door to provide protection and its aesthetic properties, to get the best product for your home or place of business. Let’s face it, even though there have been significant improvements in metal doors over the years, they will never be as elegant as wooden doors. Unfortunately, wooden doors simply cannot provide the same level of protection as metal doors. To help you decide whether you need to focus on protection or on style, let’s take a closer look at the pros and cons of metal doors according to use.
PROS OF METAL DOORS
The following are the common advantages of metal doors:
• Toughness
– If a common thief sees a metal door, he or she would likely not waste any time trying to break it down. Not all homes have metal doors, so the thief would simply look for another home with less security – and you would narrowly have escaped possible home invasion.
• Does not swell or deform – Unlike wood, metal
is not prone to swelling or deformation caused by heat and humidity.
• Has a longer service life
– Metal doors may not last forever, but they do have a service life that’s longer than wood and other types of doors. METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
PROS AND CONS (PROTECTION VS STYLE)
THE CONS OF METAL DOORS • Lacks appeal – Metal doors may
be tough, but they certainly lack appeal. It can be difficult to find a metal door that can instantly complement the design of a home.
• Prone to manufacturing defects
– The toughness of a metal door relies heavily on the quality of welding. Poor welding significantly diminishes its integrity.
• Poor Insulation
– Even though some metal doors have cores with insulation properties, it may not be enough for extreme weather conditions.
If you’re more focused on protection, then a metal door would be the perfect choice. However, if your decision weighs more heavily on style, they may not be able to provide the elegance you require.
Metal doors may not look stylish, but there is a way to improve their appearance. If you really want the protection that metal doors offer, then you should tune in for Part III where we give you some tips that can help make a metal door more appealing. METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
PART THREE HOW TO MAKE METAL DOORS MORE STYLISH
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
HOW TO MAKE METAL DOORS MORE STYLISH
After reading Part II, you should now be able to decide whether a metal door is the best choice for your application or not. If you decide that protection weighs heavier on your decision than style, but would still like to improve the appearance of a metal door as much as possible, the following tips can help you. To make metal doors more stylish, you’ll need to make them blend in better with the overall design of the home. You can accomplish this by doing the following: • Add stylish accessories – Door handles and knockers come in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. Just because the door is made of metal doesn’t mean that you’re left with limited accessory options. Find accessories that are unique so that the attention of your visitors is diverted from the material of the door.
• Try a new color – Metal doors can always be painted another color. You can try using a color that will make the door stand out or blend in with the color of the home. Try looking at magazines to find color combinations that will work for your metal doors. METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
HOW TO MAKE METAL DOORS MORE STYLISH
• Change the glass panels – If your metal doors have glass panels, you might want to consider changing them. Changing the panels can work wonders on a door design.
• Add decorations – Door ornaments are usually used during Christmas, but there are ornaments that are perfect for any season. Spend some time to search for ornaments that can make your door more interesting. • Paint faux windows – Faux windows are a great way to spice up your metal doors. However, you may need to hire a professional to paint them on. • Paint wood designs – Some painters are capable of making your metal doors seem like wooden ones. With the right type of paint and the right techniques, your visitors may not even realize that the door is actually made of metal. A little bit of creativity can make your metal door more stylish. With the right design, you’ll be able to balance protection and style perfectly. If you need a little help with creativity, you can hire a professional designer to create designs that would look good for your home.
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?
SOUTHWEST EXTERIORS
2430 Freedom Drive San Antonio, TX 78217
(210) 757-4224
www.southwestexteriors.com
METAL DOORS: ARE THEY FOR YOU?