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construction for decades. Wood is a natural material that offers unique rich colors and wood grains. If maintained regularly and properly, a wood front door can last for a long time. But with Houston’s rainfall and humidity, the choice of pre- mium fiberglass/composite doors is the hot new trend.


bolt near the top of the door and another near the bottom of a door, similar to a bank vault door. This not only improves security, but adds significant strength to the door, which will be appreciated during “wind storm” events!


Quality of these steel doors varies widely in the Houston market, so here are some recommendations to consider. Be sure to look for: „ Real


“divided lites,” and not fake “simulated” lites


„ Individual glass panels held in the door with real steel glass “stops” and not just silicone putty


„ Glass panels that are double glazed “IG” panels, not single panes of glass


„ Large, heavy duty door hinges specifically designed to handle the weight of these heavy doors, not just regular door hinges welded to the door panel


These aren’t your father’s fiberglass doors! The new composite doors have seen significant improvements in appearance and strength in the past two to three years. Factory-finished composite doors from select manufacturers are virtually indistinguishable from a real wood door in terms of wood graining and stain color. Plus these composite doors now available in Houston offer a wide variety of finish and design options including modern-contemporary doors, rustic doors, plank doors, and divided lite op- tions. Add to this the maintenance-free lifetime door warranty, plus a warranty on the door “finish,” and better thermal energy and insulation performance than a wood door. With all these advantages, it’s easy to see why a composite door is a top trender.


5


Premium hardwood doors are also available as divided lite doors. Houston homeowners generally ask for Mahogany or Knotty Alder in a variety of different configurations, but double door entry- ways are most popular.


Whether the material is steel, composite, or wood, insist on IG glass panels for security and insulation value.


4 Fiberglass Composite


The trend is clear: Wood has a strong competition in fiberglass/composite as a preferred material for entry doors.


Wood doors are still popular and have been the favorite in Houston new-home


Wide and Tall Doors


No question that size matters, as entry doors are trending to wider and taller. As recently as eight years ago, most entry doors were the “standard” height of 80 inches, but now the majority of doors may well be 8 feet tall.


In addition, there is significant demand for 42 inch wide entry doors (wider than the normal 36 inch door). As the ceiling height has increased in the past 10 years, so has the door height.


For a tall and wide door, however, keep in mind these considerations. These tall and wide doors will perform better, last longer, and be more secure with a “3-point” lock built into the door. Most door hardware available in Houston features the latch and the deadbolt that extend through the door edge into the door jamb. This traditional hardware is a “2-point” system. A 3-point locking system offers added security and strength to a wood or composite 8 ft. door by the inclusion of a


6 Opaque Glass


Glass doors are also trending, particularly doors with opaque-textured glass op- tions. No clear glass door panels allowed here. These glass panels won’t let the yard man see into the foyer. There are a variety of glass textures to choose from with varying degrees of opacity.


Make sure however, that your glass panel features double or triple thick glass panes, and is not just one single thickness of glass. A single thick glass panel offers very low energy efficiency and a much lower degree of security too. Check twice, if you are selecting an iron/steel door. As many if not most of these doors available in the Houston area offer only single thickness glass panels.


One day you’re in, the next you’re out...


Now that you know the top trending options for Houston’s entry doors, what features are “out” for 2015? „ Doors with oval lite, half-lite or twin-lite glass panels


„ Wood doors with light inishes „ Doors with clear glass


The entry door may be the single most important individual element in the design of a home. It is certainly the most important feature that a visitor notices when entering and leaving the house. While function must be served, style does not have to be sacrificed. Put the right door on your house, and you will make a lasting impression and add significant curb appeal to your client’s home!


John Plummer hung his first door in 1972. He is president of GlassCraft Door Co., one of the largest manufacturers of entry doors in the country. Located in west Houston, 38-year-old GlassCraft’s doors are available from most leading building materials suppliers. See more at www.glasscraft.com.


GREATER HOUSTON BUILDERS ASSOCIATION – BUILDING A BETTER FUTURE | HOUSTON BUILDER | JUNE 2015 27


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