Ins & Outs

Most homeowners don’t think about replacing windows or doors until there’s a problem they can’t ignore. Because both products tend to last for decades, ignoring them can become a habit.

But when replacement time finally comes, consider more than just function. The right product can transform the style and the livability of your home.

Entry doors

The many options available for entry doors now offer nearly limitless design possibilities.

“Fiberglass has been a game changer,” says Beisser Lumber’s Ethan Stahl, Sales and Service Manager. “It paints well, it holds up to the elements, it’s durable, and with the textured finish, it can be stained to look like wood.”

Not only can you choose the color and finish, you can also customize the design. “The front door reveals the personality of the house,” says Stahl. “The style of the door, whether you have windows in it or how much glass can also transform the entryway.”

Replacing a solid front door with a ¾ or ½ light allows more natural light into the front entry. If privacy is a concern, companies including Beisser have a number of frosted and privacy glass options to choose from.

When Todd and Traci Edwards decided to tackle some much-needed updates on the home they built in 1999, part of their main-level remodel included a new front door. “Since we were completely updating the first floor, it made sense to update the front door, too, with one that was more modern and functioned better,” says Todd.

After meetings with Stahl at Beisser Lumber’s new showroom in Johnston, the couple opted for a dramatic change. “The original door was navy blue with no windows,” says Traci. “We wanted more glass, but with a frosted look so it didn’t have to be covered.”

The new door is black with a ¾ window light and has transformed the home’s exterior.

“It looks so polished and classy,” says Traci. “We absolutely love it and it really makes the front of our home look so different.”

Stahl says, “They chose a fun style—a ¾ light with a grille and a transom above. It really sets off the entry.”

Patio and deck doors

While they may not have the same wow factor as front entry doors, patio doors can also have a dramatic effect on your home. And if it’s been a while since your current sliding door was installed, you might be surprised at the improvements available.

Although homeowners can opt for French doors, sliding doors, or retractable/accordion door systems between the home and the patio or deck, sliding doors are by far the most common. French doors require a lot more clearance inside, and the retractable systems are often more of an investment than most homeowners want to make and more “system” than necessary.

Sliding doors come in a wide range of price points and features suitable for any budget or style. “The biggest driver for most homeowners is whether they want wood or not,” Stahl says. “If they want the interior stained to match other trim, they’ll need a wood unit. But a lot of people have interior painted trim, so if you’re going to have the same color inside and out, spending the money on a wood product doesn’t always make sense.”

Stahl says product lines available today make it easier to take advantage of views with larger glass surrounding the sliding door or with multi-door systems, depending on the home’s space and homeowners’ preferences.

“For most homeowners, it isn’t a desire for change that brings them in to look at patio doors. It’s because their current door no longer functions properly,” Stahl says. “But once people see the different options and price points, the conversation becomes how they use the door, whether it accesses a covered area or is open to the elements. No matter what their needs or their budget, we have something that fits.”

Roll screen products are particularly popular. Stahl says nearly every customer who sees it in the showroom chooses a door with a roll screen system.

Emily Duong came to Beisser to replace a sliding door that was more than 20 years old. She says she’s especially glad she ended up at Beisser. “I’d looked at some other places, but I didn’t love the brands they had for the budget I had in mind. Beisser not only had what I thought I wanted, but the staff spent time to help me get the best product for my home.”

Duong knew she wanted a wood product so she could match the exterior to her home’s existing trim. She had ruled out her first choice in favor of a more budget-conscious selection, but when Beisser discovered her 54-year-old home required a custom size, everything changed.

“A custom door was going to cost more no matter which product I chose. Beisser was able to get me a custom size in the door I really wanted, which was higher quality, too,” Duong says, “and it was almost the same price as the other option.”

With her home’s west-facing exposure, the project required additional repair to the door’s threshold and framing. “Beisser even wrapped the framing below the door so moisture won’t be a problem the way it was before,” says Duong.

Duong’s new sliding door features a rolling screen that slides with the touch of a finger, and the door itself glides more smoothly than her old door.

Screen systems

When it comes to smooth function, one of the most notable improvements in exterior products is the screen system.

“Power screens are really popular,” Stahl says. “They provide sun and bug protection and privacy, too, depending on the screen selection. And once they’re installed, it just takes a touch of the remote to raise or lower them.”

Screen systems can be installed floor to ceiling for covered decks and patios. But many homeowners opt to screen just from the railing to the ceiling to minimize heat when the sun is at its highest.

“You can raise and lower to any point you want,” Stahl says, “so you can raise or lower the screen as the sun moves. And once they’re installed and programmed, it’s pretty low-maintenance.”

Dennis Oder had a power screen system installed on his porch and says he knew when they bought the home that the sun exposure was going to be an issue. “The porch faces west,” he says, “so it gets pretty bright and hot once the sun drops below the roof line. We weren’t really using the porch at all before.”

Oder chose the darkest screen option and had the units installed all the way to the floor for both sun protection and privacy. “Each side can be adjusted individually, so we can just use one for sun protection. Or if we want privacy in the evening, we can lower all of them,” Oder says.

Since having the screens installed, the family has been using the porch far more often and even had a television installed. He says they plan to add a small heater before fall so they can enjoy the space later into the year.

From front entry to backdoor living space, the options for enhancing your home’s style and livability are nearly limitless. Knowing the ins and outs of those options and partnering with experts like those at Beisser Lumber can make choosing the best one for your needs an open and shut case. •