the door replacement guide to french doors

THE DOOR REPLACEMENT GUIDE TO FRENCH DOORS


PART 1A Quick Look at Door

Replacement

How much do you know about door replacement? Before we get into the qualities and features of French doors as a door replacement, it’s good to become familiar with some important

details.


A QUICK LOOK AT DOOR REPLACEMENT

SIGNS YOU NEED TO REPLACE YOUR DOOR

Draftiness. If your doors are closed but you can still feel a draft, the seals around your door may have shrunk, cracked or become worn down over time. Seal failure of your door is a sign your door needs to be replaced.

Squeaky Hinges: When it comes to that annoying squeak, oiling can only go so far. Loose or damaged hinges mean they can no longer support your door properly, and may indicate further damage to the door itself.

Visible Damage: Structural damage is the most straightforward sign your door needs replacing. Cracks not only let in bugs and drafts, but also serve as a warning that your door may already be too weak to function properly.

Scrapes On The Floor: Over time, doors can warp and sag against the floor, especially if they are made of wood. Scraping along the floor or along the tracks needs to be addressed immediately as they cause damage to your floor every time you use your door.

Peeling Paint and Decay: Aside from being unsightly, peeling paint as well as rot and decay are signs your door is no longer adequately blocking the moisture, heat and UV rays it is exposed to.



FACTORS IN DOOR REPLACEMENT SELECTION

Weight and Size of Door: One of the biggest mistakes in door selection is the use of lightweight hardware on heavyweight or oversized doors — or vice versa. Whether it’s an entry door or a patio door, weight and size should be considered carefully as over- and undersized door hardware may result in misalignment and obstruct functional usage.

Amount of use: Residential doors are typically subjected to more than 20 uses per day and are expected to last up to 30 years or more. It’s important to know the level of use of the particular door you’re replacing so you can select a door that will last.

Environment: The materials and protective finish of a door should vary according to local climate. Temperature extremes, for example, can interfere with door operation as they cause door materials to expand and contract.



Installation and Maintenance: Proper installation goes a long way to prevent damage and decrease the amount of maintenance needed. Most professional door replacement contractors offer warranties to ease the hassle and cost of repair and maintenance.

So supposing you have decided on a French door: what advantages can it bring to your home? We’ll

find out in the next installment of our e-book.


PART 2The Merits of Choosing a

French Door

In the first part of the e-book, we learned about door replacement – from knowing when to replace your door to things to

consider in selecting a new one. Now it’s time to discuss the French door and how viable a replacement it is for your home.


THE MERITS OF CHOOSING A FRENCH DOOR FOR YOUR DOOR REPLACEMENT

FRENCH DOORS: THE OLD AND THE NEW

As you may expect, French doors have a rooted history in France. But they actually take their major features – such as an emphasis on light and symmetry – from Italian Renaissance architecture.

Most French door design and development techniques are still rooted in a time before electricity, and in fact, they still influence these doors’ popularity today. Because they are great sources of natural light and air, French doors can be used as both interior and exterior doors to link two rooms, such as an adjacent living and dining room. They also naturally tie indoor and outdoor spaces like balconies, patios and gardens, together.

They are traditionally hinged, opening with either an outswing or an inswing. Nowadays, especially for patio doors, French doors can come in the sliding or swinging variety, with the look of a traditional hinged door but the functionality of the

more modern door types. Similarly, the French door has evolved to incorporate materials like steel and fiberglass that can provide better insulation and give a more modern aesthetic.


THE MERITS OF CHOOSING A FRENCH DOOR FOR YOUR DOOR REPLACEMENT

THE APPEAL OF FRENCH DOORS

French doors can be the perfect addition to your home. Unlike solid doors, they can transform a space with natural light and views.

• Light: The major advantage of French doors is their ability to add light and, as a result, introduce a brighter, more expansive feel to a room.

• Design: Lightweight and “light-generous,” French doors are a design feature in themselves. With the added versatility in their material manufacture, you have quite a range of options to choose from.

• Function: Whether you’re planning on using French doors as entry, interior or patio doors, they are perfect for blending two areas together. They create a smooth transition between rooms or between an interior and exterior, creating an increased sense of space in your home.

In the last part of our series, we will discuss the ways you can build on the energy efficiency of

your French doors.


PART 3Enhancing the Energy

Efficiency of the French Door

After taking a brief look at door replacement, we delved into the many

qualities of the French door. Now, in the last part of the series, we’ll discuss how the energy efficiency of this door can be enhanced, and how you can make the

most of door replacement.


ENHANCING THE ENERGY EFFICIENCY OF THE FRENCH DOOR

Door replacement is a good opportunity to increase the energy efficiency of your home. True, it can be argued that French doors may not be the best options for energy efficiency as they mainly feature glass, which can boost your energy usage, as well as limit insulating abilities. So what can you do to curb your home’s energy loads? Here are a few smart tricks that the nation’s leading manufacturer of high-quality replacement doors utilizes.

• Glass Coating: If your doors get a lot of sunlight (especially patio doors), double-paned or low-E (low emissivity) glass that is coated with a heat-reflective material can greatly boost the door’s insulation capability.

• Weatherstripping: Cracks and gaps between the door frame can be a major barrier to controlling the climate in your home. Weatherstripping is used to fill these spaces and prevent heat or cold from escaping.

• Wood: French doors made from solid wood have great insulating capabilities, and the real wood grain brings a warm aesthetic feel to a room.


RENEWAL BY ANDERSEN OF SACRAMENTO11290 Trade Center Drive Suite BRancho Cordova, CA 95742 USA

(916)389-2000www.rbasacramento.com

http://www.rbasacramento.com

the door replacement guide to french doors

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