At the risk of sounding cliché, you never get a second chance to make a great first impression. Nowhere is that truer than at the front door. But there’s so much more to creating a welcoming environment than appearance. Here are five design elements to consider when selecting exterior doors for your next build.
1. Performance: At the very least, homeowners expect a door to do two things – keep the outside out and the inside in – but not all doors do that. We’ve all been here: walking past the front door on a windy day, feeling a cold draft – or even a puddle. That unexpected wet sock experience is the worst. So, Masonite decided to develop the best. “In certified third-party testing the Masonite Performance Door System withstood 51.3 mph winds and 8 inches of rainfall per hour with no air or water leaks, making it 64% better at keeping air and water out than the leading competitor,” says Katherine Zyra, Masonite’s Senior Product Manager. A better performing door means fewer callbacks and claims, saving you time and money spent on costly replacements.
2. Energy Efficiency: A well-sealed exterior door is critical to further reduce energy consumption and make a home more comfortable. The nonprofit Team Zero agrees, “[Doors] are like big energy holes in a well-insulated, airtight [home].” Every Masonite Performance Door System is equipped with a 4-Point Performance Seal, which includes a square edge door, self-adjusting sill, adaptive weatherstripping and enhanced corner pads. Due to its superior seal, homeowners are comfortable year-round, from summer heat waves to cold winter nights. With a 10-year limited full replacement warranty that covers the cost to re-install, builders can close with confidence knowing if an issue arose, Masonite will handle the claim.
3. Natural Light: More and more homeowners are asking for ways to make their homes brighter, according to NewinHomes.com. “Doors make a big difference in how natural light fills a home, and can completely transform the ambiance of a room,” says Zyra. That’s why Masonite’s VistaGrande Flush-Glazed exterior fiberglass doors are designed to allow up to 18% more light than doors with traditional glass frames. With a variety of glass sizes and styles available, you can build the perfect amount of natural light into your next project.
4. Style: Style means so much more than aesthetics. Does the door actually match the architectural characteristics of a home? Masonite offers a full range of exterior door designs to deliver on the homeowner’s vision, for every style of home. “A flush-Glazed exterior door creates a cleaner, more seamless look as the door has no raised edges, which is more appropriate for modern homes.” says Zyra. Masonite also offers textured fiberglass doors that mimic the look of real wood without the maintenance, which are a great option for Craftsman and classic homes.
5. Security: Of course, security is one of the primary purposes of an exterior door. Smart home technology is no longer a “nice to have” and has emerged as mainstream. With the advent of M-Pwr Smart Door, the first-ever powered and fully integrated smart door, homeowners have a greater sense of security, peace of mind and comfort. Smart technology is built directly into the door and can be controlled through the M-Pwr app including LED motion-sensing lights, door state sensor, smart lock, and Ring video doorbell. Integrate smart tech into your next home build.
A home's front door shapes first impressions and daily life. By selecting doors excelling in performance, efficiency, light, style and security, builders create lasting value. Masonite Doors deliver on all five fronts with superior design, aesthetics, and integrated technology.
Visit masonite.com to learn more about premium quality exterior door solutions.
References: NewInHomes. (2023, September 15). "Why is Natural Light So Important to Homebuyers?" NewInHomes Blog. https://www.newinhomes.com/blog/why-is-natural-light-so-important-to-homebuyers
