Exterior Doors (I02)
Exterior doors balance security, energy efficiency, and curb appeal – but Utah’s weather extremes demand quality construction and installation.
This BidScope guides you through door types: entry doors (hinged, most common, single or double), patio doors (sliding or swinging, large glass area for views), French doors (double swing doors with glass, elegant), storm doors (secondary protection, screen options), and Dutch doors (split horizontally, unique style).
Learn door materials: steel (most popular, security, economical, can dent, rust if damaged), fiberglass (looks like wood, durable, energy efficient, expensive), wood (traditional, beautiful, requires maintenance, excellent insulation), aluminum (commercial, slim profile, poor insulation).
Understand glass options: decorative glass for entry (privacy, style), low-E coated for energy efficiency, tempered or laminated for security, sidelites and transoms for natural light.
Master energy ratings: U-factor 0.25 or better for Utah climate, weatherstripping quality critical, threshold types (adjustable vs fixed), door sweeps for bottom seal.
Navigate security features: deadbolt locks (Grade 1 best, 1-inch throw minimum), reinforced strike plates with 3-inch screws into framing, multi-point locking on high-end doors, solid core or steel construction resists forced entry, peephole and door viewer, smart locks with backup key access.
Learn installation requirements: plumb and level in rough opening, shim properly for operation, spray foam insulation around frame, proper flashing for water management, attach securely to structure (screws into framing, not just shims).
Understand sizing: standard heights 80 inches (6’8″) or 96 inches (8′), standard widths 32 or 36 inches (36-inch minimum for accessibility), rough opening allows for shimming and insulation.
Know when to replace: air leaks and high energy bills, drafts around frame, difficult operation, damage to door or frame, upgrading security or style.
Navigate special doors: Dutch doors, pivot doors, barn doors for exterior (weatherproofing challenges).
Calculate typical costs: steel entry door $800-2,000 installed, fiberglass $1,200-3,500, wood $1,500-4,000+, patio door $1,500-4,000+.
This tool ensures your exterior doors protect your home while adding beauty and value.
What’s Included:
- Exterior door types (entry, patio, French, storm, Dutch)
- Entry doors (hinged, single or double, main entrance)
- Patio doors (sliding or swinging, large glass)
- Sliding patio doors (economical, space-saving)
- Swinging patio doors (better seal, wider opening)
- French doors (double swing, glass, elegant)
- Storm doors (secondary protection, screen and glass panels)
- Dutch doors (split horizontally, unique)
- Door material options (steel, fiberglass, wood, aluminum)
- Steel doors (popular, security, economical, can dent/rust if damaged)
- Fiberglass doors (wood appearance, durable, energy efficient, expensive)
- Smooth vs textured fiberglass
- Wood doors (traditional, beautiful, maintenance, insulation)
- Solid wood vs wood veneer over engineered core
- Aluminum doors (commercial, slim, poor insulation)
- Door core types (solid, honeycomb, polyurethane foam)
- Glass options and glazing
- Decorative glass for entry (privacy, style)
- Low-E coated glass (energy efficiency)
- Tempered glass for safety
- Laminated glass for security
- Sidelites and transoms (natural light)
- Energy ratings and efficiency
- U-factor 0.25 or better for Utah
- Weatherstripping quality (compression seals, magnetic)
- Threshold types (adjustable vs fixed, low-profile for accessibility)
- Door sweeps for bottom seal
- Security features
- Deadbolt locks (Grade 1 best, 1-inch throw)
- Reinforced strike plates (3-inch screws into framing)
- Multi-point locking systems (high-end doors)
- Solid core or steel resists forced entry
- Peephole and door viewers
- Smart locks with WiFi (backup key access)
- Installation requirements
- Plumb and level in rough opening
- Shim properly for smooth operation
- Spray foam insulation around frame
- Flashing for water management
- Secure attachment to framing (not just shims)
- Hinges (3 minimum, continuous on heavy doors)
- Door sizing standards
- Standard heights (80″ or 96″ rough opening)
- Standard widths (32″ or 36″, 36″ ADA)
- Rough opening allows shimming (2-3 inches larger)
- Patio door widths (5, 6, 8, 12 feet typical)
- Replacement decisions (air leaks, drafts, operation, damage, security, style)
- Special door types (pivot, barn, oversized)
- Swing direction (inswing vs outswing)
- Cost factors ($800-2,000 steel entry, $1,200-3,500 fiberglass, $1,500-4,000+ wood, $1,500-4,000+ patio)
- Finding qualified installers
- Manufacturer certifications
- Warranty (material and installation)
