Signs You Need Wichita Door Replacement, Plus Tips on Choosing Your Next Door

Most, if not all, of the newly built homes in Wichita, KS, feature an open or partially open floor plan—but as popular as that style of dwelling may be, we're never going to get to the point where we don't need any doors at all. Interior doors give us the privacy we need in our most intimate moments and some peace and quiet when we need a break from the hustle and bustle of a busy household. Exterior entries, on the other hand, protect your home and family from the damaging effects of problems such as harsh weather, moisture incursion, heat transfer, pest infestations, intruders, vandals, and more. In order for those key features in your home to keep doing their job right, it’s important that you know the signs you may need Wichita door replacement.

Your entryways, inside or out, can't do their job if they've suffered sudden damage or have been deteriorating slowly over the years. A damaged entry that needs Wichita door replacement service can cause huge problems for people in this area that make your house less comfortable, secure, and energy-efficient. If you notice signs of trouble, you need dependable service—and a replacement door. This guide explains some of the common indications that your entryway needs to be replaced, along with some tips on choosing the right door replacement in Wichita, KS.

If you discover that you need door replacement services, your local, experienced Wichita handyman is standing by, ready to get the job done quickly and correctly, so you don't have to worry about it anymore. The service professionals at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area are 100% focused on customer satisfaction, which is why we strive to always go above and beyond for our clients. As a locally owned and operated business in Wichita, we are proud to deliver excellent workmanship and outstanding customer service on every job.

How to Tell When You Need a New Door

Doors tend to be something of a blind spot for many homeowners. There are people who keep their property in pristine condition—except for the doors, which deteriorate until they're almost ready to fall off their hinges all on their own. But a damaged exterior door isn't secure against pests, intruders, heat transfer, and other problems, and a damaged interior entry makes your home less comfortable and enjoyable for you. If you know the signs that it's time for Wichita door replacement, you can call a qualified handyman to take care of it and give you back the peace of mind that comes with knowing your property and family are protected before that damage forces you to get extra services like siding replacement or trim repair. Here are some of the major indications that your entryway has reached the end of its lifespan and needs to be replaced.

1. Difficult to Open and Close

This is one of the most common and also the most irritating problems you can experience with any entryway. There are a few different reasons why this might be happening. It could be that the hinges have deteriorated, or the slab has rotted to the point where parts of it are rubbing or dragging on the floor, which is a clear case for Wichita door replacement service. It could also be that the frame has warped from rot or the house shifting and settling, and the slab doesn't fit into it properly anymore, and that also calls for a complete replacement. But sometimes, especially in older homes with historic entryways, the slab, jamb, and sill have been repainted so many times that the layers of paint are rubbing against each other and interfering with your ability to operate it. In that case, it may be possible for your handyman to restore function by scraping off the excess paint and refinishing.

2. Insect Damage

If your entry feels a lot lighter than it used to be, almost like it has been hollowed out from the inside, it's not your imagination—insects such as termites and carpenter ants are indeed capable of hollowing out a large portion of a wooden entryway. You may also notice surface damage that looks like a maze of channels or holes across the slab, jamb, or sill. There's no way to restore wood that has literally been eaten by a horde of ravenous pests, so Wichita door replacement is definitely going to be the best solution.

3. Rotten Wood

Wood doors, along with any other wooden features or structures on the outside of your house, are particularly susceptible to the homeowners' worst enemy, wood rot. It's a type of decay that can only damage the wood with high moisture content, and any timber that is outdoors is constantly being dampened by rain or snowmelt—not to mention the humidity. If you see discolored patches of wood or places where timber has changed texture and now appears stringy, spongy, or webbed with cracks, that's wood rot. Much like insect damage, rotted wood can't be restored to its former condition, so it's a sure sign you need Wichita door replacement service.

4. Scratching or Impact Damage

Whether somebody tried to break in or there was a careless accident, impacts to your slab or frame can do a lot of damage in a few seconds. Pets can also be responsible for quite a bit of damage in a short amount of time, whether it's an anxious dog scratching at an exterior entry or a cat who is personally offended by a closed interior entry. In most of these situations, Wichita door replacement is the right solution to restore the security and appeal of your home. We can also take care of pet door installation, both leading to the outdoors or between interior rooms, so your pet doesn't just do the same thing to your new entry.

5. Fogged Glass

Glass entryways or entries with one or more windows in them feature dual panes, meaning there are (at least) two panes of glass separated by a small gap and sealed at the edges. Sometimes the gap is filled with argon gas for additional insulation. But when the seal around the edge is broken, the argon gas escapes, and moisture can get in between the panes. Condensation builds up inside and can give the glass a misty or "fogged" look that's unattractive and makes it difficult to see through the window. It's also a sign that the glass is not properly insulated anymore. This may seem like a simple problem, but repairing the seal and refilling the argon gas is usually a temporary solution that needs to be repeated periodically, so it's more cost-effective just to get a door replacement in Wichita, KS.

6. Misalignment

Entries of all types can become misaligned or may have started out that way due to a faulty installation, but this problem is most common with French or garden-style double doors that meet in the middle, with one side of the latch on each. The problem is if they're misaligned, the two sides of the latch do not come together in the middle, and they can't be latched shut properly. That's a bad sign on exterior entries, but it can be incredibly irritating on interior entries as well. It may seem surprising that this situation calls for Wichita door replacement, but cutting new latch holes involves some time-consuming, finicky measurements that can actually make a complete replacement the faster, easier, and less costly option.

7. Unappealing, Outdated Appearance

Maybe you loved that entryway 15 or 20 years ago, but now it looks outdated and doesn't suit your current design aesthetic. Or, maybe it was like that when you moved in, and it has never fit in with your vision for your home. Out with the old, and in with the new! Wichita door replacement services will get you the entryway you've been wanting to boost curb appeal and add to your interior design as well.

Choosing the Best Door Replacement Option in Wichita, KS

If you know you need a new door, you may have already started looking around at what's available for a replacement product. There's a wide range of possible choices for sale, and we're not just talking about color options—in fact, color is one of the last things you should be worried about because most entryway materials can easily be painted any color you want to perfectly match or contrast with your trim. What exactly you need from your new installation will vary depending on your priorities, but here are some of the key factors to keep in mind when you're looking for the right choice for your home.

Durable, Long-Lasting Material

Interior entries should be good quality and last for a long time, but durability is a much bigger concern when it comes to exterior entryways. They need to withstand constant barrages from extreme weather, pests, and other factors, so they need to be strong and highly durable. Fiberglass is a great choice for a reasonably-priced, durable material with plenty of longevity. It's strong enough to resist the effects of normal wear and tear on residential property and is also resistant to corrosion and water damage.

Blocks Heat Transfer

Have you noticed that the energy charges on your monthly utility bills are higher than they used to be, and you're not sure why? There are a lot of potential weak spots in your home that could be causing this problem, and your entryways are prime suspects. Any gap or break in your siding, such as windows, doors, and vents, is an opportunity for heat transfer, which is the process in which thermal energy attempts to move from a warm place to a colder place.

Heat transfer undermines the work your HVAC system does to keep your house at the temperature you have set on your thermostat. The heat from your furnace escapes to the cold outdoors in winter, and heat from the sun tries to get inside in summer when you have your air conditioner on. That means your HVAC system has to operate for longer periods of time to compensate, and it ends up using a lot more fuel—which in turn drives up your energy costs.

That's why manufacturers of doors, windows, and other items for your house exterior are always trying to innovate new ways to make their products more energy-efficient. The more successful your entryway is at preventing heat transfer, the less you'll have to pay on your energy bills. When it comes to an exterior door replacement in Wichita, KS, energy efficiency should be near the top of your priority list. Generally speaking, fiberglass or steel is going to be the best choice to prevent heat transfer, and they're even better at that task when combined with an insulating core. Wood entries are usually not as energy-efficient because they can be compromised by decay such as wood rot that will cause it to soften and crumble, letting in air drafts. Any type of entryway with a window will be less efficient than any material without a window because glass is such a poor insulator.

Safe and Secure

If your first priority is getting a Wichita door replacement that is capable of providing added security against both human and pest intruders, consider steel as an option for your new installation. Steel is, of course, an incredibly strong, durable, energy-efficient material that can stand up against numerous damaging factors and remain in solid shape. They come in a large variety of styles and can be painted in any color. The only minor drawback to steel entry doors is that they can be vulnerable to corrosion if they aren't adequately maintained over the years.

Time for Door Replacement? Trust Your Local Handyman in Wichita, KS, to Get It Done!

Residents of Wichita, KS, and other nearby areas such as Andover, Goddard, and Sedgwick can all access the same exceptional repair, improvement, and maintenance services from the team of professionals at Mr. Handyman of the Wichita Metro Area.

Pick up the phone and get in touch with us today to find out more about our reliable handyman services or to schedule an appointment at a time that works for you.