Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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Lawrenceville, NJ 08648
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Replacement doors can have a lasting first impression. Imagine going to a friend’s house for a holiday meal. As you are getting out of your car, you notice that the sun has set and the streetlights are just coming on. You approach the front door and as soon as it comes into view you know that there’s something about it you like. Is it the color of the door, or the way it contrasts and compliments the color of the rest of the house? Is it the lighting? The glow of the interior lights coming through the sidelights?
You feel a sense of warmth and welcoming, even if you can’t immediately explain what it is about the door that makes you feel that way.
Think about a time when you approached a house for the first time: you probably first saw the front of the house and looked for the main entry door. The front of a house is the side that faces the public, and the main entry door is a place where a person’s eyes naturally rest.
Replacement doors of a house can either blend in or stand out, based on its color, lighting and design.
When choosing an entry door, you first need to consider your practical needs, like privacy, security, and any home association requirements. After those considerations are addressed, you can begin to think about the style and appearance of the door: color, design, glass, lighting, etc. At Lawrenceville Home Improvement, we will explain all of the options available when choosing an entry door to give you the specific look that compliments your home and communicates the feeling that you desire.
Take some pictures of the windows you’d like to replace from the outside of your home, send them to us, and receive an estimate in a few days!
Schedule a time for one of our installation specialists to visit your home to discuss your replacement window project!
Schedule a meeting with one of our window installation experts to see and touch the potential options for your home.
Replacement entry doors can increase a home’s energy efficiency and add aesthetic value and appeal to the home. A replacement patio door can have a dramatic and positive effect on your overall home aesthetic. They provide enhanced views of your backyard and ease of egress from your home into your yard. Just picture your entrance to the family barbecue from your gorgeous patio door, your arms laden with all kinds of grilling treats.
Although not as numerous as entry doors, there are quite a few options when it comes to patio doors. Did you want a true French door or a sliding French-style door? Will you want grids between the glass or no grids? Do you want to stain your patio door or leave it white? Do you want door to slide, inswing, or outswing to the house?
What makes a French door French? This can actually be a confusing detail when looking at patio doors. A sliding French door is distinctive in look because the bottom panel of the door frame is thicker than the rest of the framing. It is still a sliding door; it just has specific framing. French doors, on the other hand are two hinged doors that swing out or swing in. This second configuration is what most customers think of when they ask for a French door style.
Material is also another important consideration when choosing your patio door. Wood patio doors provide a classic look and are a good compliment to a home with wood features. Homeowners should note that wood patio doors will need to be primed, stained, and/or painted regularly. Lawrenceville Home Improvement has options for customers who want a wood patio door and has several wood patio doors on display in our showroom.
Vinyl is another material option for a patio door. Vinyl is the most economical option in sliding patio doors and some customers choose a vinyl door because of its light weight and ease of operation. Unlike wood, vinyl patio doors require less maintenance. Customers should note, however, that vinyl patio doors can become compromised over time due to harsh conditions including direct sunlight and fluctuations in temperature.
The most durable and least demanding material for patio doors is fiberglass. Like vinyl, fiberglass patio doors do not need regular maintenance like wood doors, but unlike vinyl, fiberglass patio doors withstand the elements with greater reliability. Fiberglass patio doors don’t expand and contract at the same temperature as wood and vinyl and because fiberglass is a much stronger material than wood and vinyl, the frames are thinner, providing you with more glass and greater views and transmission of natural light.
Be sure to stop by our showroom to see all of the sliding doors we have on display and decide which is the best for you and your family.
Many people assume that all front entry doors are made of wood. It is true that wood doors offer a distinctive look and authentic feel. However, wood doors are not the most practical option when updating your home.
Wood needs to be maintained and can become compromised in extreme heat and cold. To minimize the detrimental effects of the weather on wood doors, homeowners need to dedicate time to priming, painting, and/or staining their wood doors on a regular basis.
Water damage is also a concern for homeowners with wood doors, because water can lead to rotting. For this reason and others, many homeowners opt for steel or fiberglass doors, which have comparable energy efficiency relative to wood. Both types of doors are constructed to effectively seal upon closing and can be installed with a range of handle sets, glass, and colors.
The primary difference between steel doors and fiberglass doors is the detailing available. Fiberglass doors can provide a range of accurate wood detailing that surpasses the textures that steel doors can offer. Many homeowners want to avoid the maintenance required with wood doors, but still gravitate toward a classic wood look. In this case, a fiberglass door may be advantageous because the wood grain texture that can be designed onto the fiberglass door is aesthetically pleasing and as close as you can get to a real wood look without having to maintain a wood door.
There are many wood grain options including oak grain, mahogany grain, or cherry grain to name a few. An oak grain has wider looping in the grain pattern whereas a cherry grain is a tighter grain pattern. Graining is, of course, just one of several design options. Staining is another option to consider when creating a wood-like look for your door.
Graining and staining are named according to the wood-type being recreated. The difference between a door’s graining and a door’s staining is that graining refers to the texture whereas staining refers to the color. An oak stain, for example, is much lighter than a mahogany stain. Here are some of the stain colors that you can choose from: honey oak, walnut, cedar, English oak, and mahogany. Additionally, there are a wide range of wood stained colors available to achieve a natural wood look.
For homeowners who are interested in a smooth door that does not have any wood grain features, a steel door can be less expensive option compared to fiberglass. Steel doors still provide many of the same aesthetic options in a smooth finish and they also have similar energy efficiencies.
Most people assume that all front entry doors are made of wood. It is true that wood doors offer a distinctive look and authentic feel, however, they are not the most practical option when updating your home. Wood needs to be maintained and can become compromised in extreme heat and cold. You will need to dedicate time to priming, painting, and/or staining your wood door on a regular basis. You will also need to be careful of water damage that can lead to rotting. For this reason and others, most homeowners opt for steel or fiberglass doors. In terms of efficiency, steel and fiberglass doors are comparable. They are both constructed to effectively seal the door upon closing and can be installed with a range of handle sets, glass, and colors. The primary difference between steel doors and fiberglass doors is the detailing available. Fiberglass doors can provide a range of accurate wood detailing that surpasses the textures that steel doors can offer. Most homeowners want to avoid the maintenance inherent in wood doors, but still gravitate toward a classic wood look. In this case, a fiberglass door may be advantageous because the faux wood graining that can be designed onto the fiberglass door is aesthetically pleasing and as close as you can get to a real wood look without being real wood. There are many wood grain options including oak grain, mahogany grain, or cherry grain to name a few. An oak grain has wider looping in the grain pattern whereas a cherry grain is a tighter grain pattern. Graining is, of course, just the beginning. Staining is another option to considering when creating a wood-like look for your door. This is where it can get a little confusing for the consumer because both graining and staining are named according to the wood-type being recreated. The difference between a door’s graining and a door’s staining is that graining refers to the texture whereas staining refers to the color. An oak stain, for example, is much lighter than a mahogany stain. Here are some of the stain colors that you can choose from: honey oak, walnut, cedar, English oak, and mahogany. Although steel doors don’t provide as detailed a wood grain pattern as fiberglass doors, it doesn’t mean that steel doors should be discounted from your buying decision. You can still achieve a very pleasing wood texture with a steel door—it just won’t be as pronounced as fiberglass. And, you also have a wide range of wood staining colors available to achieve a natural wood look. Perhaps you are not interested in in wood graining. Sometimes door-seekers are interested in a smooth door that does not have any wood grain features. In this case, many homeowners will opt for a steel door. Steel doors can be less expensive that fiberglass while still proving the same aesthetic in a smooth finish. They also have similar energy efficiencies.
Door glass is available in a wide variety of options that allow for practical considerations such as security and light transmission, but they are also available in a range of aesthetic styles. Door glass can be subtle, flamboyant, trendy, or classic. The style chosen by the homeowner is usually based on personal taste and the functionality required by the door. For example, if your home has a dark entry hallway that needs additional natural lighting, but you are concerned with privacy, you would probably want to choose a three quarter glass door with a design or glass pattern that has a high privacy rating. The best way to determine the perfect glass for your front entry door is to consider the following:
Once you narrow down these categories, you can determine what the availability is in your desired choices. You should note that the larger and more elaborate the glass, the higher the cost. On the other hand, the more glass and design you have, the more impactful the overall look of the door will be.
Trends are also something to consider. Caming (ie, the metal that draws the glass design and holds the pieces together) for example, can be wildly popular in brass one year and then oil rubbed bronze will take over as the favorite.
The good news is that Lawrenceville Home Improvement carries a wide range of options, all of which are exceptionally well-crafted and will last the test of time. In addition to trends, it is very important to match your door glass style to the overall style of your home. For example, a modern door may not match with a colonial home. In the same vein, a contemporary home may not support a floral designed classic pattern. When you visit the Lawrenceville Home Improvement showroom, you may want to bring a picture of the front of your home to aide our sales team in guiding you to the perfect exterior door match.
“Fortune favors the bold.” –Latin Proverb
Door colors used to be confined to simple, restrained wood neutrals and the standard black or white. Although these colors are still popular, today there are no rules when it comes to door colors, only style choices. The doors available at Lawrenceville Home Improvement are available in a wide array of colors that come as standard options. In addition to that, the door manufacturers that we work with can match virtually any color you can dream up.
Now that you know what is available, now comes the hard part—picking a color. Many homeowners use their door color as an accent to the rest of the home. For example, if you have green shutters on your home, a matching green door can nicely tie in to the overall look of the exterior. Or, if you have a light brick front, a stained color reminiscent of a wood tone may be the better fit.
Don’t be afraid to go bold. Homeowners have been choosing and succeeding with colors that just a few years ago would never have been considered. Although red doors have been a classic choice for years, yellow doors are now becoming more and more desired. Also, off-the-beaten path neutrals, like gray, are becoming wildly popular. When a homeowner is hesitant to consider a bold color choice we often recommend googling for images of that door color, visiting our website’s door gallery, or working with one of our sales team to virtually construct the door in the door builder software we use.
Door-seekers should also note that you will be able to pick an interior door color as well as an exterior door color. Many people are caught off-guard by this decision when in the process of choosing a door. Most people select a standard white for the interior, but there are those who take the interior of the door as an opportunity to make a design statement inside of the house.
One trend that is popular is to match interior trim and woodwork within the house to the interior door color. This can help to pull an entryway together. Other options include matching the interior door to the wall color or making the door an accent color to add a design element. We also offer custom color options.
“Fortune favors the bold.” –Latin Proverb
Door colors used to be confined to simple, restrained wood neutrals and the standard black or white. Although these colors are still popular, today there are no rules when it comes to door colors, only style choices. The doors available at Lawrenceville Home Improvement are available in a wide array of colors that come as standard options. In addition to that, the door manufacturers that we work can match virtually any color you can dream up.
Now that you know what is available, now comes the hard part—picking a color. Many homeowners use their door color as an accent to the rest of the home. For example, if you have green shutters on your home, a matching green door can nicely tie in overall look of the exterior. Or, if you have a light brick front, a stained color reminiscent of a wood tone may be the better fit.
Don’t be afraid to go bold. Homeowners have been choosing and succeeding with colors that just a few years ago would never have been considered. Although red doors have been a classic choice for years, yellow doors are now becoming more and more desired. Also, off-the-beaten path neutrals, like gray, are becoming wildly popular. When a homeowner is hesitant to consider a bold color choice we often recommend googling for images of that door color, visiting our website’s door gallery, or working with one of our sales team to virtually construct the door in the door builder software we use.
Door-seekers should also note that you will be able to pick an interior door color as well as an exterior door color. Many people are caught off-guard by this decision when in the process of choosing a door. Most people select a standard white for the interior, but there are those who take the interior of the door as an opportunity to make a design statement inside of the house.
One trend that is popular is to match interior trim and woodwork within the house to the interior door color. This can help to pull an entryway together. Other options include matching the interior door to the wall color or making the door an accent color to add a design element. We also offer custom color options.
When purchasing your replacement door you will not only be getting beauty, you will also be getting efficiency. The doors sold by Lawrenceville Home Improvement provide top-of-the-line energy efficiency and technologically advanced sealing. As a door ages, its seal can deteriorate causing leaks through which air and water can seep. This will cause an unnecessary increase in heating and cooling costs. A new, technologically advanced door can save you from this. If your door is over 15 years old, it may be time for an upgrade.
Proper replacement door installation will also contribute to the energy efficiency of your entry way. At Lawrenceville Home Improvement we work with installers that have been installing doors for decades. In addition, our installers are meticulous and take real pride in their work. The end result is that you get a high-quality door and a high-quality installation resulting in beauty, practicality, and an investment that will enhance your home inside and out.
Not all replacement doors stand alone. In many cases a replacement door can be flanked on the sides by rectangular-shaped windows called sidelites. In the same vein a rectangular-shaped glass piece perched above the door called a transom can also be part of the door unit. Sidelites and transoms are ordered along with the entry door to create a secured unit that won’t compromise the fit.
There are plenty of options available with regard to sidelites and transoms. In some cases you can select sidelites and transoms that match the door glass design on the entry door. This can provide a complete look to the entire unit and really create an impressive design piece. There are also gridding options that can change the look of the unit on a more subtle scale.
Not all doors stand alone. In many cases a door can be flanked on the sides by rectangular-shaped windows called sidelites. In the same vein a rectangular-shaped glass piece perched above the door called a transom can also be part of the door unit. Sidelites and transoms are ordered along with the entry door to create a secured unit that won’t compromise the fit.
There are plenty of options available with regard to sidelites and transoms. In some cases you can select sidelites and transoms that match the door glass design on the entry door. This can provide a complete look to the entire unit and really create an impressive design piece. There are also gridding options that can change the look of the unit on a more subtle scale.
There are other options to consider when finalizing the look of your replacement door. These smaller choices can make a big difference in the aesthetic. Handle sets are the first to come to mind. Granted, handle sets are a necessity to the functionality of the door, but they can also change the entire look of the door. Colors available include: oil-rubbed bronze, brass, antique bronze, satin nickel, and chrome to name a few. Also, handle set styles vary greatly and can provide a modern look with minimalistic, sharp lines or a classic look with elegant curvature.
For those who like to avoid keys, there are also key pad options available. These are especially popular with parents who have kids that let themselves in the house after school. A key pad can be very handy for kids who tend to misplace their keys.
If you opt to install a door without door glass but still want to be able to see who is knocking on your door, a peep hole can be a practical extra added to the door. You can even make the peephole a two-in-one peephole/knocker feature. This looks very attractive on a colonial style home.
The very popular craftsman-style door can further be enhanced with the inclusion of a dental shelf that protrudes from the door and adds character. Little touches such as this can go a long way in creating a memorable and pleasant look for your door.
Lawrenceville Home Improvement is a 3rd generation family owned business founded in 1952. We have serviced central New Jersey and the surrounding counties for over 65 years.
Monday – Friday: 9am – 5pm
Saturday & Sunday: Closed
NJ Home Improvement Contractor License
# 13VH00230500
PA Home Improvement Contractor License
# PA103929
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