Doors
Do You Need to Replace That Door? Three Signs.
 
by Roger Diez
 
Your home has many doors. The front entry door is the gateway to your home, but there are also garage doors, patio doors, storm doors, french doors, and more. Sooner or later, all of them will need replacement. But how do you tell when it's time?
 
Three Signs its Time to Close the Doors
 
There are three primary ways to tell if you need to replace a door. First, is it functioning properly? If it is sticking, binding, not latching properly, and you can't adjust it, it needs to go. Second, if it is damaged or aged beyond repair by wind, weather, or accident, it should be replaced. And third, if the door no longer fits the style of your home due to a remodel, repaint, siding installation, or other changes, replace it.
 
Just the Doors, or More?
 
In many cases, not only the door but the door frame must be replaced. The frame, also called the casing or jamb, is the encasement for the door opening. Often you can purchase a new door and casing as a unit. One very important thing to note: if not just one, but several doors and/or windows are sticking or binding, you may have a far more serious problem with the home's foundation shifting. In this case, call a licensed contractor immediately.
 
Timing is Everything
 
Be sure to plan your door replacement project with a number of factors in mind. First, the weather. You will have a gaping hole in an exterior wall for the better part of the day, so don't plan the replacement in the dead of winter, the heat of summer, or the height of the monsoon season. Order the replacement door ahead of time and have it on hand. Make sure you have a step-by-step plan for the project. Get detailed information on door replacement from your local library or a do-it-yourself Web site. And have plenty of help on hand. Doors and casings can be very heavy.
Once your door installation is complete, you can admire your work and contemplate your next home project.
 
 
About the Author:
Roger Diez is a freelance writer who has replaced some very heavy doors.
 
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