Choosing exterior wood doors
When choosing wood exterior doors, you’ll need to select from panel or flush doors. Securing panels to an existing core creates flush wood exterior doors. The inside of a flush wood door might be hollow and empty, and the door is not constructed of wood all the way through. Panel doors, also referred to as stile and rail, are constructed by having a solid center, typically composed of either glass or wood. Flush doors are more common than panel doors, and determining which type you prefer beforehand will ensure that you select the door that best meets your needs.
Another choice that must be decided is between a weather proof and weather resistant door. Though it might seem as if these are two and the same, they are different and can have an impact on the quality of your door. The door should be waterproof, when used for exterior purposes, and not just water resistant, as the latter will have difficulty remaining durable when exposed to the elements.
Since the door is going to be used for outdoor purposes solid, flush doors are preferable to those that are made with a hollow core. Don’t be misled into thinking that all flush doors are solid, as those that aren’t are often crafted by bonding wood panels to a material equivalent to cardboard. Though these doors can be useful and less inexpensive in certain rooms of the house, they are often inadequate for use as an exterior door. They should be solid, durable and have the ability to withstand exposure to the elements. Additionally, they should be solid enough to provide a great barrier for sound and be equally energy efficient.
Another aspect to consider is the layout or design of the door. Pay careful attention to where the location of the glass in the door’s design and choose doors that keep glass windows a good distance away from doorknobs. This provides greater protection and is seen as a deterrent to criminals. By taking these factors into consideration, you can rest assured that the doors you choose are secure, strong, and will endure.