How much will it cost to replace my front door? Top 3 factors (Article)

After a particularly stormy Friday night, you put on your sneakers to take a morning walk around the block. 

You wrangle the dog into his harness and make your way to the front door. As you pull it open, you notice a small puddle of water that has formed just inside the doorway. 

To inspect further, you pull at the bottom threshold and notice the seal coming up, allowing for the water to come in. 

Of course, this must be fixed to avoid leakage in the future. When you look more at your door, you notice what looks like rot around the trim. Now you know this is serious. 

Like any other home remodeling project, the cost can be a scary thing to look at. Replacing your door can cost anywhere from $500 to $5,000 depending on the quality of the door and installation. This cost is for a single panel, standard size door 80 in. in height and 36 in. in width.

Southwest Exteriors is an expert in replacing efficient, long-lasting doors built for the Texas climate and has been a locally established business for over 30 years. We know all that must go into a door replacement to get your money's worth and can spot a faulty replacement when we see one. 

In this article, we will outline the top factors that will influence the cost of a door replacement: installation, qualities of the door, and custom extras. 

We will also explain why each quality is important when factoring in the cost of your door replacement and how to know if you are getting the most out of your project. 

1. Installation of the door

The largest contributor to the cost of replacing your door is the installation and what all is included. 

While you might only think of a door replacement as replacing only the door, there are many components of the door that any good installer will replace as well. Here are the parts of and around a door that should be replaced for a quality installation:

• Slab: This is what most would consider a door. It is the piece that swivels open and closed.

• Jamb: This is what connects the slab to the wall. The jamb is typically made of wood and consists of two verticals, a top or head, and a bottom jamb known as the threshold. 

• Hinges: These are used to connect the slab to the jamb and allows the slab to open and close.

• Threshold: This is the bottom component of the jamb used for protection from outside elements. It is typically made of wood but can also be made from fiberglass or metal.

• Sill: The sill goes along with the threshold and is fastened to the floor to add overall stability to the door jamb. 

• Trim: The trim is what borders the interior and exterior of the door to give it a finished appearance.

• Hardware: All other hardware, such as locks, handles, and knobs, should be replaced with a new door. 

• Caulk and paint: The final step to any door replacement is to caulk and paint around and on the trim. There must be a proper seal between the trim to protect the interior of your home, and the paint offers extra protection to the trim.

That’s a lot to include in a full door replacement, however, each of these components should be included for a quality installation that is going to last. 

You can only pay a few hundred dollars to replace only the slab in your frame, but chances are if something is wrong around your door, it is one or more of the surrounding components that need replacing. 

Like any home remodeling project, what is included in the installation is going to drive the cost and determine the quality of the installation. 

2. Qualities of the door

Similar to the quality of the installation, the quality of the door is another factor that directly impacts the cost. 

A low-quality door with poor construction is going to be less expensive than a high-quality door, right? 

Let’s look at specifically what qualities of the door you need to consider when calculating how much a door replacement is going to cost you. 

Material of the door 

The most popular types of doors are wood, fiberglass, metal, and iron, and they all range in price. 

It is difficult to give an exact price on each type of door because of the other various components of a door replacement like installation, design, and customizations. 

We will outline the cost to replace your front door for a handyman replacement and a professional installation.

Metal

The most common type of metal doors are made out of steel and aluminum. Metal doors are resistant to weather and can protect from insect infestation.

They are becoming more popular by giving your home a more modern look. 

Aluminum and steel doors can cost anywhere from $500-800 for a handyman replacement. 

For a high-quality door and professional installation, you're looking to pay $2,000-5,000.  

Fiberglass

Fiberglass doors are slightly more durable than vinyl and are versatile in style. They can mimic the look of wood without all the extra maintenance. 

Fiberglass doors cost around $1,000-1,200 for a handyman replacement. 

For a high-quality door and professional installation, you're looking to pay $2,000 and up.

Wood

Wood doors are classic and sturdy and have been around before metal, vinyl, and fiberglass doors. The most popular types of wood for doors are pine, fir, cedar, mahogany, and oak.

Like anything made of wood, wooden doors come with the highest need for maintenance and upkeep to keep them functional. 

Wood doors can cost anywhere from $1,800 for a handyman replacement. 

For a high-quality door and professional installation, you're looking to pay $4,000 and up.

Iron

Iron doors with large glass panels are another popular material on the rise for a modern look. For a home with a beautiful view, an iron door might be the aesthetic you are looking for. 

Full iron doors start at $5,000-6,000 in cost for a professional installation but can go much higher depending on the size and customizations.

Iron doors are not typically installed by neighborhood handymen. 

Just like windows and siding, the material of your replacement door is going to be a large factor in the cost. 

Along with the material of the door, the quality of the construction of the door will be another element of the price.

Construction of the door

Similar to installation and all the parts that should come with a replacement door, the construction of the door also has multiple elements. 

A door can have multiple panels and mullions, or the sections that separate panels. 

The lock stile is the side panel of the door where the lock and knob are on, and there is a mid, bottom, and top rail that is the border of the door.

With all of these elements, there are a variety of styles and designs that all go into the construction and craftsmanship of the door. 

Simply put, how well the door is made is going to be considered in the cost of the door. 

After looking at the components of a door installation and different types of doors materials are made of, the last element that is going to influence the cost of a door replacement is certain customizations with design.

3. Design customizations

When it comes to a home remodeling project, there are always custom options to choose from to make your project unique. 

For door replacements, the two main custom design options you have to choose from are the glass decorativeness and skin profile of the door. 

Glass design on the door

With any customization, the more complex it is, the more it will cost. For any decorative glasswork on the door, it can add to the overall cost depending on how detailed the design is. 

A standard, rectangular-shaped glass window will be less expensive than a floral design. 

Along with the glass design, the type of glass will affect the cost as well. There are various textures and films you can choose for the glass on your door. 

Skin of the door

The skin of a door refers to the outer finish that can be applied to give the door a certain texture. 

Just like with the glass design, there are a variety of different smooth and textured skin finishes to choose from depending on the look you are wanting.

If you know you are wanting a complex glass design or different skin option, it is important to make sure that you find a contractor that is more specialized and has experience with those designs.

Even if a contractor says they can do what you want them to, if they do not have the proper credibility or experience, you may end up disappointed with your project. 

How to make sure you get what you pay for with your door replacement

Any home improvement project is an investment. Here are three things to make sure you do before committing to a door replacement to make sure you know what you are getting into.

1. Have realistic expectations 

The least expensive door is not going to be of the highest quality. If you are wanting a door that is going to meet your needs and last, you are going to have to pay a little more.

2. Have an idea of what style you want and what you are looking to get out of the project 

Do some research on Pinterest and drive around your neighborhood to see what you like and what you don’t like. This will help you find the right contractor that can give you the door of your dreams.

3. Make sure to read the fine print

Before signing any contract, it’s important to know all of the details. Asking plenty of questions about how the contractor operates from the beginning to end of the project is essential for you to know what to expect. 

The last thing you want is to be blindsided by any hidden fees or a faulty installation.

Remember that this is your project and your money that is going into it. You must be realistic in your expectations and know what you’re getting into. 

Ready to get your front door replaced?

The cost for any home improvement project can be a little daunting. To replace your door is no different. 

Knowing what you are wanting to get out of your project such as the type of door, style, and design will help determine how much you are looking to pay. 

Southwest Exteriors offers fiberglass entry door, patio, and custom door replacements for over 30 years now. While our door replacements are on the higher end of the price range, we strive to offer you the highest quality products, services, and warranty.