Look for some suggestions on exterior door replacements. I have to replace a side door that enters into the basement from the drive way.
I’m looking at either a steel or vinyl coated door.
Can anyone provide me with some pros/cons of each to assist with my decision making?
Its either going to be sold or with the small windows at the top.
Thanks as always.
Barney
Replies
I have never seen a vinyl coated exterior door... However, I've installed both steel and fiberglass exterior doors. Thermatru is a decent brand name door for the price.
Basically, steel doors come prime coated, but you need to paint a "finish" coat on them or they will eventually rust. You can paint these doors with latex paint and a paint roller, but I've found the best way to go is to hire an auto-body painter to spray the door with auto paint...this paint holds up very, very well. I usually pay around $120 for this paint job. Doors usually run around $180...sooo you are looking at $300 total for a standard sized, pre-hung unit. Doorlocks cost another $20 to $30 .
Fiberglass doors are best if painted or stained ( if you want a stained look) at the factory...this translates into more $$, but will look better than what you or I could do.A standard sized fiberglass door with factory paint job will probably set you back around $400.
I'd opt for the steel door...mainly due to price. Both steel and fiberglass doors perform equally well. Both still rely on pine (wooden ) jambs...and its the jambs that will give you the most trouble. Look to buy a door with jambs 3/4 inch thick...though anymore that is hard to find. Window configurations are what really raises the price on doors. Stick mainly to a normal glass configuration and costs will be small.
Check your existing door jambs to determine if the new door (if buying pre-hung) will need extension jambs. Most door manufacturers consider a "standard size" jamb to be 4-9/16 inches wide....anything wider calls for jamb extensions. If the dooor is paint grade, I normally fabricate my own jamb extensions and install... no big deal. Wrapping the jambs with aluminum trim is also a good option if looking for low maintenance.
Make sure your door is equipped with an adjustable type threshold...these definately come in handy on retrofits.
Wow, thank you so much for all the information.
I was leaning towards the steel door, mainly for price. Its the wife that wants the windows, but is my workshop in the basement that I don't want someone seeing the tools and such.
I looked at the opening and I'll need to do some work on it before I try to put the door in. But that should be no surprise since the house is 95 years old.
ThanksBarney
Yeah, it's likely not a standard size. Just make sure your rough opening is tall enough, so you don't have to hack away at a beam or some such.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin
I know what you mean. When I went to replace the bathroom door, I had to rip out a good 8 inches at the top because the previous owner had hired a hack that cut the door down to fit it in the openning.
ThanksBarney
If this one does'nt fit, Be real sure that the wall isn't load bearing before ya rip 8" out of this header. :)
dug
Barney, if height is an issue. Check the unit size (no brickmold-jamb ht.) closely from several manufacturers. For example there's a half inch difference between Masonite and Thermatru. Might help you out in a critical situation.A great place for Information, Comraderie, and a sucker punch.
Remodeling Contractor just outside the Glass City.
http://www.quittintime.com/
Thank you. Unfortunately, the rain has come in for the next 2 days so the job might be rescheduled.
Although, the Lowes near me is having a big sale, so I think I might actually go buy it today and just hold it.
You can get the windows and just do some sort of window treatment. Later on someone who doesn't have a shop in there can take the window treatment off.
The door from the outside will look normal with the treatment on the inside and that is the side your wife will be seeing.
If height is an issue, ask about having the door cut down at the factory. While there's a charge, IMHO it's much more reasonable than making the opening taller. It's possible to do this yourself on site, but much, much easier and better to pay the charge and let them do it.
Sue
You should be able to order the steel door in just about any height.
So convenient a thing it is to be a reasonable Creature, since it enables one to find or make a Reason for everything one has a mind to do. --Benjamin Franklin