Your front door has many jobs. It serves as the focal point of your home’s exterior, creating curb appeal. It keeps your family safe and secure. It enables you to maintain a steady temperature. And, it welcomes friends and loved ones to step inside.

With so much hinging on your front door, you need to make sure that you have the best one for the job. Here are a few tips that may prove helpful in identifying the best choice for your home.

1. Construction

If you’ve visited your local hardware store, you’ve likely encountered steel, wood, and fiberglass front doors. Each material has its pros and cons for you to consider.

• Steel. This is the most cost-effective option, which in itself, can be an attractive feature. “How to Choose a New Door” adds that they offer a frame that seals tightly to keep winter’s cold and summer’s heat out andthat they are more secure than fiberglass. On the downside, however, they can scratch and dent and have a shorter lifespan. They are also not ideal in frigid temperatures as they conduct the cold.
• Wood. Wood doors come with a heftier price tag than other types, but they are also the most customizable and best able to create an upscale look. Furthermore, scratches and dents are easy to repair. In the negative category, they will require ongoing painting. Plus, they are vulnerable to the elements, subject to warping, expanding or contracting, and cracking.
• Fiberglass. These have the longest lifespan of all three materials, require little or no maintenance, and are experts at mimicking the look of their wooden counterparts. They do not offer as much resistance against ramming as steel doors do, however.

2. Energy Efficiency

With ever-climbing heating and cooling costs, energy efficiency should be a primary consideration when selecting the ideal entranceway. One standard for measuring a door’s energy efficiency is whether or not it has received the Energy Star certification. According to Consumer Reports, in order to become Energy Star-qualified, a door must be independently tested and certified, boast tight-fitting frames, and energy-efficient cores. Plus, any glass must be double or triple-paneled insulating glass.

3. Impenetrability

No one wants a wimpy front door. After all, home is where your heart is–your spouse, your kids, your pets, and your sense of security. For this reason, it is unwise to use any hollow doors for exterior entryways.

“5 Ways to Burglar-Proof Your Front Door” lists steel doors as the most secure option, while also pointing out that hardwood doors are much stronger than softwood varieties. It is important also to remember that a mediocre lock system can compromise the viability of any door.

4. Color

Your front door’s hue can change the entire look of your home’s exterior. Not only does color give you a chance to set your house apart from your neighbors’, but it also enables you to showcase your personality, make other home features “pop,” and create a welcoming mood.

If you’re unsure what hues will best suit your home, This Old House recommends that if your house has neutral siding, you may wish to opt for robin’s egg blue, raspberry, yellow, bright orange, burgundy, sassy green, or cool blue; if it has colorful siding, a seafoam green, pale yellow, pinky red, or deep green will be best; while those with brick or stone, may wish to choose a loden green, orange zest, or deep eggplant. But, remember–there are no set rules when it comes to color. Pick the shade that best tickles your fancy.

When it comes to selecting a new front door, an unprepared shopper may find themselves overwhelmed by the array of available choices. By arming yourself with knowledge and a wish list of features, you will be in a much better position to choose the right door to meet your family’s needs. Happy door hunting!

What was the deciding factor when choosing your front door?