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19 Jul

Don’t Make These Common Mistakes When Buying An Iron Entry Door

Buyer Beware! There are a lot of companies selling Iron Doors here in Arizona. From small mom-and-pop companies operating out of their garage spaces, to off-the-shelf door versions from big-box stores like Home Depot. But if you want the real deal – quality and value that you can be proud of – then look no further than First Impression Ironworks’ Iron Entry doors! Here’s an informative guide to help you find the right iron entry door for your home.

1. Make Sure It’s a 100% American Made Steel Product

First Impression Ironworks artisan creating iron scrolls for an Iron Entry door.

Get ready to hear a lot of buzzwords from some companies like “Locally Designed” and “Installed by Local Experts.” But here’s what they likely can’t say: That their doors are “100% American Made Steel Products”. That’s the real deal! Steel products made right here in the USA are top-notch compared to what you get from China. So, when they say, “locally designed,” make sure it’s not just a fancy way of saying it’s ordered from a factory overseas. Get the whole package: locally designed and truly American-made!

First Impression Ironworks is America’s #1 designer, manufacturer and installer of custom Iron Security Doors, Iron Entry Doors, and Iron & Wood Gates. We’ve been Arizona’s largest custom ironworks company for over 25 years. Our commitment to you is that we build and install only 100% American Made Steel Products. We are, in fact, the industry leading ornamental iron manufacturer and custom iron door manufacturer in the U.S. We’re headquartered in Gilbert, Arizona.

2. Insist on Powder Coated and Not Painted

First Impression Ironworks team member powder coating a custom Iron Entry door.

Powder coating beats liquid paint hands down when it comes to preventing corrosion. It creates a smooth, even layer that shields metal from the elements, unlike liquid paint that can chip, peel, or crack in tough conditions.

Plus, powder coating is eco-friendly! It’s a “green” technology that doesn’t produce harmful solvents or pollutants like traditional paint does. Want to know more about its environmental benefits? Check out the article by Reliant Finishing Systems!

And here’s a fun fact: Powder coating can vary in thickness. Our experts at First Impression have nailed the perfect balance with a 3.5 mil thickness, compared to the flimsy 0.015 – 0.02 mil of liquid paint. That’s durability you can count on!

3. Secure Your Family and Home: Bullet Hinges to Smart Home Automation

For enhanced safety for your home and family, consider the following security features:

A hand holding an iPhone with an app that opens the lock on a door in the background.

Heavy-Duty Bullet Hinges

Our Iron Entry doors are attached to the frame with 3” bullet hinges which can, together, hold up to a thousand pounds. How heavy is 1,000 pounds? It’s about as heavy as a Grand Piano! No one is going to be able to remove these hinges without very heavy and sophisticated equipment. Most door companies do NOT use these crime-buster hinges.

Automated Locks

With First Impression Ironworks you can get a Kwikset or Schlage lock for your custom iron door that is Z-Wave compatible so you can access your lock remotely from your phone or with voice commands. All you’ll need to do is sync it with a compatible Z-Wave smart home hub such as Samsung SmartThings, Ring Alarm, Nexia and Wink.

Dual Paned Tempered Glass

If your door includes glass panels, make sure it is more resistant to force than other types of glass. Tempered glass is made by heating annealed glass to extreme temperatures and then rapidly cooling it. This process creates equal tensile stress, making the glass much stronger than standard glass.

4. Don’t Settle By Overpaying for Your Home Energy Bills

First Impression Ironworks Iron Entry door with a glass panel that opens to allow airflow through the home.

An often-overlooked factor is energy efficiency. A well-insulated iron door can help maintain your home’s temperature and reduce energy bills. Look for doors with:

Dual Paned Tempered Glass

With our high-quality glass pane inserts, our Iron Doors allow natural light to shine in. While the light flowing in won’t increase the temperature in your home, it will let in a stunning vibrancy that makes you feel refreshed and uplifted and keeps you from flipping on your light switches so often.

Mesh Guard Inserts

Our mesh guard insert option allows you to open your door or glass to naturally enhance circulation without letting the bugs in. By serving as a window within a door, our mesh guard inserts allow maximum circulation and ventilation when needed to cut down on A/C usage.

Weatherstripping

Using quality weather-stripping prevents hot Arizona air from leaking into your home, so you’ll be able to make the most of energy-efficiency. According to the U.S. Department of Energy, residential spaces lose approximately 30% of their energy through inefficient spaces and gaps.

Ready to make a statement with your entry door? Visit First Impression Ironworks to explore our stunning collection of iron entry doors. Our experts are here to help you every step of the way, from selection to installation. Let’s create a grand entrance together!