How to choose steel exterior doors that can handle extreme weather

If you are planning to replace your commercial or residential exterior doors, you will need to look at several aspects. If you want to install steel exterior doors, there are more factors you need to look at.

When you choose steel doors, you have no qualms about security. However, you should make sure that your steel exterior doors would hold up well to extreme weather in your region. Total Home Windows and Doors advises you to ask yourself the following questions.

What is the core?

While you can go for steel exterior doors that are solid and robust, many designs come with other materials in the core. So, you would want to go for a manufacturer who would let you know what he uses for filler in the core.

Your goal is to choose an entry door with the core filled with materials that offer excellent barriers from extreme weather elements. It is important to also opt for core materials that can reduce noise in your home. So, when choosing your door, don’t go for hollow steel doors, which will do little in terms of insulation and preventing street noise.

What about the cutouts?

Some steel exterior doors come with solid materials, while others have cutouts for components such as a peephole and a place to install a lock and doorknob. Therefore, you would want to go for an entry door that has the cutouts. While it is possible to have them included after you buy the door, that could be expensive. There is also a risk of damaging the surface of the door.

It is important to know the company you are working with. You can rely on the company in helping you select the handles and locks before the installation work starts. If there are some frame modifications required, your door installer can make them at the time of the installation.

What is the fire rating?

In most cases, when homeowners are looking for new replacement exterior doors, they are ignorant about the fire rating. The reason could be that they know the strength of steel doors and that they cannot burn like wood doors. However, one thing you ought to know is that some doors are made with thin metal gauge, and as such, they will not provide the same protection as those made with a thick gauge. They also don’t provide occupants with enough time to leave the room in case of fire outbreak.

So, when choosing steel doors, look for the doors with a more than 20-gauge steel skin. The door should have a fire rating of at least 20 minutes. That offers occupants of the building more time to leave the room in case of fire outbreak, saving lives.

Veneer of paint?

With steel entry doors you can opt for a variety of interior and exterior decorations. For instance, you can have acrylic paint painted on your entry door ahead of time. It is recommended to have your door painted and sealed before the installation. You could also opt for steel doors that come already fitted with veneer designs. It is all about choosing the design that would work better in your house.

Besides, it will be wrong to assume all steel doors are same. Your aim is to go for the door that gives your home the most benefits and will last for a long time. You can achieve that easily. Just take time to learn more about steel doors and make an informed decision considering your budget and the features you need.

Choosing an expert to install your doors

Selecting the best steel exterior doors is not enough. The quality of installation matters so much. So, you would want to choose the best company to install your steel doors. That can be tricky. So, consider things such as the experience, ask for referrals and know whether the company you are considering is licensed and insured.

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