Replace Your Doors on a Budget

By Amelia Gray

Whether you're finishing a long series of home renovation projects or you're just looking for a door that works properly, you may be shocked at the price of both exterior and interior doors.

Replacing a hollow-core interior door can really improve the look and feel of any room in your home. You may already know the difference between inexpensive hollow-core doors and real solid-wood home doors. Now, it's time to find quality doors that work with your renovation project.

Finding Inexpensive Doors
Budget-savvy homeowners have options when it comes to replacing expensive doors. Looking for a French door to replace your old sliding glass? See if any home stores have floor models they'd be willing to part with. This goes for any kind of door; minor repairs, a slightly flawed floor model, or discontinued item can save you hundreds in the long run.

Home Door Salvage Options
Stretching far beyond junkyards, specialized salvage retailers collect, repair, and resell French doors, sliding glass, front doors, and vintage and antique doors of all shapes and sizes. Whether you're looking for a one-of-a-kind vintage piece or a set of doors that fits a contemporary or modern home, salvage is an excellent option for budget-conscious homeowners.

Buying multiple salvage doors may be possible depending on the stock your salvage vendor supplies. Salvage hardware is another option you can use to cut costs without sacrificing overall quality.

Door Installation and You
The prohibitive cost of hiring someone to install your new or salvage door may be an issue with your budget. Before you take on a do-it-yourself project, however, make sure you're confident that you can do the entire project on your own. Hiring a contractor to fix a set of mistakes may end up being more expensive than the initial installation.

If you have the skills and knowledge to install your own door, you can end up saving a lot of your budget. No matter which installation you choose, the end result should improve your home's value, enhance the look of your home's interior and exterior, and increase your general satisfaction with your space.

About the Author
Amelia Gray is a freelance writer in Austin, TX. Amelia earned a Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University and an MFA from Texas State University.