By Todd, owner of Windows Plus
Your front door gets more use than almost anything else in your house, and it’s the first thing people notice from the street. When it starts sticking, letting in daylight around the edges or looking tired, it drags the whole house down. Here’s what Lexington homeowners should know before replacing an entry door, from materials and styles to what drives the price.
Signs it’s time for a new entry door
- Drafts or daylight around the edges when the door is closed
- Sticking or dragging, especially in humid weather
- Rot or soft spots at the bottom of the door or the frame, common on older wood doors
- A lock or deadbolt that doesn’t line up anymore because the door has sagged
- Fogged glass in the door or sidelites
- Dents, rust or peeling paint you’ve touched up one too many times
A door that doesn’t seal is a hole in your house. Central Kentucky gets cold snaps in winter and sticky summers, and a leaky entry door lets both inside.
Fiberglass vs. steel vs. wood
Fiberglass
This is what I’d recommend for most Lexington homes. Fiberglass doesn’t rot, dent or rust, it insulates well, and it can be finished to look like painted wood or stained wood grain. It holds up to our humidity without swelling.
Steel
Strong, secure and usually the most budget-friendly. Steel doors insulate well, but they can dent, and scratches need to be touched up so they don’t rust. They’re a solid choice for a side or garage entry.
Wood
Nothing looks quite like real wood, and it suits some historic homes. But it needs regular refinishing, and it can swell, warp or rot if it’s not maintained. For most people, a wood-grain fiberglass door gets the look without the upkeep.
Entry door styles that fit Central Kentucky homes
- Craftsman and bungalow homes: Doors with a row of glass at the top and simple panels below.
- Colonials and traditional two-stories: Six-panel doors, often with sidelites and a transom for light in the foyer.
- Brick ranches: Half-glass or three-quarter-glass doors that brighten a dark entry.
- Newer homes: Clean, modern doors with narrow vertical glass or bold colors.
Glass lets in light, and privacy glass keeps people from seeing in. You can see more options on our door types page.
What affects the cost of entry door replacement
We don’t post one price, because these change the number a lot:
- Material: Steel is usually the most affordable, fiberglass is in the middle, and wood costs the most.
- Glass: Decorative and privacy glass add to the price.
- Sidelites and transoms: Adding or replacing them makes it a bigger unit and a bigger job.
- Hardware: Handlesets, smart locks and finishes vary.
- Condition of the opening: Rot in the sill or framing has to be fixed so the new door seals and swings right.
We’ll give you a written price after we measure and look at the opening.
Why the installation matters
A great door that’s hung badly will still stick, drag and leak. We replace the whole unit: door, frame and sill. We check the opening for rot, set the new unit plumb and square, insulate and seal around it, and adjust it so it closes and locks smoothly. Our own crews do the work, not subcontractors, and most entry doors are done in a day.
Patio doors and storm doors too
While we’re there, a lot of homeowners also look at the back of the house. Old sliders that stick or won’t lock are one of the most common door replacements we do. See our sliding glass door page. We also install storm doors and French patio doors.
Where we install in Central Kentucky
We replace entry and patio doors throughout Lexington and nearby communities, including Nicholasville, Georgetown and Versailles. Learn more on our Lexington service area page.
Entry door FAQ
How long does it take to replace an entry door?
Most entry doors are done in a day. Units with sidelites or a transom can take a little longer.
Will a new door lower my energy bills?
A well-sealed, insulated door stops drafts, which makes the entry more comfortable and helps with heating and cooling. The improvement is biggest when you’re replacing an old wood or damaged door.
Can I add sidelites to my existing door opening?
Sometimes, but it usually means widening the opening. We’ll tell you at the estimate whether it makes sense for your house.
What’s the most secure entry door?
Steel and fiberglass doors with a solid core, a reinforced frame and a good deadbolt. The installation matters too: a door that’s properly anchored into the framing is much harder to force.
Schedule a free Lexington estimate
We’ll look at your door, show you options and give you a written price. No pressure, and we respond to requests within 24 hours. See our door replacement page, check our current offers, or schedule a free in-home estimate.
