Should I Hire a Professional to Install My Doors?

 

Introduction to Door Installation

We depend on our front door more than we are consciously aware. Think about it. You use it every day. As with anything that you use repeatedly, you will eventually have to replace it before it begins to compromise security and utility. It could even be that you are going for a new look for your home. In any event, you need to ensure that it is redone properly when you decide to do so.

Below, we have compiled a list of reasons as to why it is best to hire a professional for your door installation.

Get the highest ROI

When you hire a professional, you will guarantee that you have a fail safe in case something goes wrong. The likelihood of things going wrong for the professional is much lower, since they are backed by experience, and you should have your working door faster than if you went about gaining that experience yourself.[1] Front doors are rarely cheap, so when you hire a pro, then you can rest assured that you will have it installed without damage to your purchase.

It will be insulated properly

Insulation is something that you will notice the minute that you need it. If you didn’t insulate it properly, then you will have to go back to our first point to make sure that your house is just as comfortable, if not more so, than it always has been.[2] This one is less straightforward than the others, but is one of the most important factors when installing a door.

Surely, the advice pertains to doors of all kinds, not just the front door, but that is the main one for security concerns as well as aesthetics. To that point, however, you will likely want them all to look alike. The United States Department of Energy says, “A door with one fixed panel will have less air leakage than a door with two operating panels.”[5]

So, if you want some doors that open into a veranda, know that you would be better insulated if you had a sliding glass door. With that being said, that would mainly serve as excellent advice for those who live in areas where there is either extreme summers or extreme winters. Or both.

Security concerns

Staying safe should be the main concern with your front door, regardless of how much you may like the aesthetic. The reason that we even have homes is for safety. Looks are secondary.[6] The goal should be to make it effectively impossible to break in or extremely difficult to do so. If it is installed improperly, then you risk relying on your experience (or wherever you got your information to install it) to protect yourself and your family.

The installation is cleaner

This means that your door is going to be visually pleasing as well as functional. It also includes no damage around (or on) the door. [2] This will give you the cosmetics that you are looking for and the admiration that you are hoping to achieve from onlookers. Any ding or dent could hurt the appeal.

Hiring a professional will save you time

If you don’t have the proper training, then replacing your front door can be really irritating. This is all about saving you time, money, and frustration. In some cases, the manufacturer or supplier will also be the same company that installs the doors, giving you an extra level of expertise.

For those who are DIY fans to save money or do it just for the sheer sense of accomplishment that comes with completing a project then we applaud you. However, we advise that you choose your projects wisely. With something like your front door, ask yourself: Is it worth the security and visual appeal to trust in your own skill to save the money of proper installation?

How to Install Window & Door Trim Like a Pro [4]

Conclusion

On the surface, replacing your front door may appear like something that is very fast and straightforward. But if you ask anyone that has done it before and they will tell you that it is anything but how it appears. [3] With anything that involves making a home repair, it is always well-advised that you look to someone who has the experience to give you a result that you deserve.

 

References

  1. American Window Products, INC., “Five Reasons to Hire a Professional to Replace Your Home’s Front Door”, https://www.americanwindowproducts.com/five-reasons-to-hire-a-professional-to-replace-your-homes-front-door/
  2. Feldco, “Door Replacement: DIY or Hire a Pro?”, https://www.4feldco.com/articles/door-replacement-diy-or-pro/
  3. Family Handyman, “10 Home Projects You Should Always Hire a Pro For”, https://www.familyhandyman.com/list/10-home-projects-you-should-always-hire-a-pro-for/
  4. “How to Install Window & Door Trim Like a Pro”, Wes Hamstra, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HQNxRd3ofKw
  5. The United States Department of Energy, “Doors”, https://www.energy.gov/energysaver/design/windows-doors-and-skylights/doors
  6. HGTV, “Give it a Go or Hire a Pro?”, https://www.diynetwork.com/how-to/maintenance-and-repair/repairing/should-you-hire-a-professional-pictures