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09 Oct

Front Doors: Wood is Good, But Steel Doors are Better

So you’re thinking about choosing a new front door for your home?  Obviously it needs to be strong and durable. But you also want it to be attractive in order to make a good first impression. And finally, you ought to consider a door that actually adds to the value of your home at resale.  The overriding key factor that ticks off all these boxes is what the the material the door is made of. As Bob Vila says “Wood is Good, Steel is Better”.   Steel doors are far more durable than wood, they do not expand nor contract, and they provide the greatest amount of security.

With any investment you make in your home, there are up-front as well as ongoing costs.  Entry Door selection is no different.  The number one high-return investment project for your home is replacing the front door.  As noted in a previous First Impression Ironworks blog “Home Improvement – Biggest Bang for Your Buck”, steel entry door replacement is listed as the most likely way to realize your money back on your purchase, yielding a ROI of 101.8%. 

The right steel door will provide smoother day-to-day operation, minimal annual upkeep and, more often than not, energy savings than a wood door. Plus, iron doors will last for many years, provide an additional layer of security, and add to the beauty of your home’s exterior.

UpscaleLivingMag.com lists four benefits of installing a security door:

1. Prevents Easy Access | Burglars will always look for an easy target. Security doors are an effective deterrent.   A burglar knows that he will need special tools to get through the door and why bother when the house next door has no additional level of security? They will also make more noise trying to break through a security door and it will take much more time, drawing attention to what they are doing.

silhouette of a hand reaching to open a front door

2. Durable and Robust | Security doors are made out of very strong metal, such as steel or wrought iron, so unlike wood or plastic framed doors they are virtually indestructible. Most security doors are drill proof, making it even more difficult for an intruder to gain access. They can be fitted with deadbolts and non-removable pin hinges which add an additional level of security of the door and to your home. The locks are heavy-duty key locks which are almost impossible to break through.

First Impression Ironworks employee welding a steel door part

3. Increases Your Property Value | You have already invested in a home so why not also have security doors fitted. It’s a great way to gain back some of the money you’ve already spent on your property. Security doors raise the value of your property, allowing you to ask for a higher price when the time comes to sell. It’s also worth noting that having security doors installed may lower the price of your home insurance since your home will be deemed better protected and therefore at a lower risk of being burglarized.

front of a suburban home with grass in the front yard and a First Impression Ironworks steel security front door

4. Plenty of Design Options | When we think of security doors, it’s not uncommon to imagine large, ugly, dominating doors, but this couldn’t be further from the truth. Nowadays, security doors come in a huge range of colors and with many different designs to choose from. You can easily choose a door that will seamlessly fit with the overall aesthetic of your home and they can often even become design features of your home, adding style and a touch of class to your property.

Iron Security Doors manufactured by First Impression Ironworks are built to specific standards and to withstand the test of time. 

Here is what you can expect from a First Impression Ironworks Iron Security Door:

Our Iron Security Doors are made with 12-14 gauge 100% American Made Steel with heavy-duty 4” x 1.5” door construction, allowing flexibility in choosing various lock/lever combinations.  Our doors are customized to fit nearly any size door opening.  Some standard features include welded bullet hinges, welded lock pick-guard, premium vinyl weather stripping to ensure a bug-tight seal (some companies use a foam tape that deteriorates over time), and rain drip equipped bottom sweep.  We use powder coating instead of liquid paint, then bake the finish on to the steel’s surface in a 400-degree oven.  This provides a durable, high quality, long-lasting finish that is cured instantly.

Optional Add-Ons:

Choosing the add-ons and accessories is where the fun and customization begins.  From classic to modern, pick from numerous styles to match your house, yard, and personal preference, or create your own design! You can also choose from over a dozen powder coating colors and several faux finish options.

We offer high quality Kwikset or Schlage tamper proof locks (single cylinder or double cylinder) with digital and smart lock upgrade options for the tech savvy homeowner.

If our bug screen or 80% sunscreens do not provide the privacy you are looking for, you can add a perforated metal mesh screen, which protects your home from insects and dust when you open the interior door as well as limits visibility from the street.  If you are looking to brighten up your entryway, you can forget about the metal mesh and go with a glass insert to brighten up your entryway while still limiting visibility with the textured glass.

First Impression Ironworks custom-made Iron Security Doors also come with a Limited Lifetime Warranty, making them worth the investment.  Improve your home with the strength, security and beauty of wrought iron by contacting us at 602-345-7481 today!