5 Potential Risks of Turning A Window Into A Door

Do you want to open up your view? Ready to transform your space by turning your windows into a new door? 

Transforming your windows into a door allows you to open up your space, provides a new entry point, and elevates your home without completely rebuilding it. 

However, like with any remodeling project, there are risks, and trusting someone with your home can be nerve-wracking. Because of this, you want to be prepared for any potential issues during this construction.

As a San Antonio remodeling expert since 1989, Southwest Exteriors specializes in light construction and remodeling projects, including adding new windows or doors to your home and transforming existing windows into a door. 

While we are experts in this field, we understand it can be difficult to find a trustworthy contractor to work with. 

If you don’t know what to look for or what risks are involved, how can you trust a company will prevent them from happening? 

This article will outline the top five potential risks of turning a window into a door, including installation issues, insufficient framing, and more.  

5 Problems Of Turning Your Windows Into A Door

Understanding the basic installation process of turning a window into a door is the first step in educating yourself on this project. 

After that comes knowing the potential risks and how your home may be affected. 

Most of these risks result from improper installation by an inexperienced installer. 

1. Improper Exposure of Your Home to The Elements

When taking on any project that exposes the interior of your home, there is a risk involved. 

If the openings are not properly sealed at the end of the work day, moisture, critters, and other outdoor elements can make their way into your home's frame. 

During the installation process, whether removing an existing window or creating a new opening, the installer mustn't damage the surrounding areas unnecessarily. 

Now, with any remodeling project, minimal damage in construction can be expected. How the installer handles the damage is crucial to ensuring the structural integrity of your home. 

Suppose excessive damage around the opening for your new door is not properly sealed or covered in between installation days. In that case, you risk outdoor elements getting into the frame of your walls and potentially damaging the structure of your home. 

This is why working with a trustworthy company with a positive track record is important to ensure your home's success, health, and longevity. 

2. Insufficient framing and structure 

The second risk of adding a new door to your home’s structure is the potential for insufficient framing and structure for the new door. 

When an old window or windows are removed to place a new door, you must rebuild the frame to fit the new door. If the frame does not fit the door exactly, the door will not function properly or last. 

If the frame is built too large around the door, a common mistake inexperienced installers will make is to fill in the gaps with caulk. This is not a long-term solution to secure the door and can cause it to wobble and malfunction. 

If the frame is too small for the door, the door will simply not fit. Some installers may try to force the door into the frame, causing damage to the door and the surrounding supporting beams. 

Overall, a new door must have a properly fit frame with structural integrity to ensure it will fit, last, and function as it should.  

3. Improper and uneven installation

An improper installation is one of the most obvious risks of any remodeling project. This potential issue can arise from inexperience, laziness, and overall sloppiness from the installer. 

If your new door is not installed properly, is uneven in the frame, or is sealed correctly, the door will ultimately fail. It will not open and close or lock properly, ultimately costing you more time, money, and effort to fix it in just a few short years. 

Even with the highest quality products, they will not last, perform, or look as good as they should if they are not installed correctly. 

This is why understanding how to properly turn your windows into a door will help you to choose the right company you can trust with your home for your project. 

4. Potential water infiltration and leaking

Along with improper installation, sealing, and caulking, two of the major issues you may run into are water infiltration and leakage around your new door. 

Moisture getting into your home’s walls and interior is one of the biggest risks with nearly any remodeling project. 

If the new door is not properly installed, fit, and sealed into your home, excess moisture and water can get behind the door and into the frame of your home. Any buildup can cause rot to grow in your frame, causing structural problems to your home through rot and mold. 

Improper installation can also result in leaking around your door when it rains. If you notice water puddling around the bottom of your door during a rain storm, this is a sign your door was not installed properly. 

To avoid this potential risk, ensure you know your installer will use custom-fit doors to fit your home with proper shims, caulk, and trim to properly seal your door in place and keep any moisture from entering your home. 

5. Decreased lifespan of your new door

Finally, any installation issues, framing mistakes, exposure to the elements, and water infiltration will decrease the longevity of your door. This is a risk that comes with nearly every remodeling project. 

If the door is not measured to fit, the frame is not built correctly, or the improper materials are used, your door will not last. 

The last thing you want is to spend thousands of dollars on a new remodeling project that will not last. This is why researching products, installation practices, and local companies is essential to finding a trustworthy company to work with. 

Choosing The Right Company For Your New Door Project

Now that you know five of the top potential risks that come with transforming a window into a door, you can properly choose the best company to work with that knows what they are doing and can provide you with a successful project. 

Before starting any project, it’s important you understand not only the benefits of investing in your project but also the potential risks that come with it. 

Turning your windows into a new door can pose these top potential risks: 

1. Improper exposure to the elements
2. Insufficient framing and structure
3. Improper and uneven installation
4. Potential water infiltration and leaking
5. Decreased longevity of your door 

By knowing these potential mistakes and risks an inexperienced installer may make, you can ask the right questions and know what to look for in the right company for your project. 

But, we understand that finding a trustworthy contractor is difficult. What steps should you take to find the right one? 

Check out this article that outlines three steps to find the right contractor for your home remodeling project. 

Ready To Transform Your Home With A Company You Can Trust? 

Southwest Exteriors has been a trusted exterior remodeling company since 1989, specializing in new construction work and turning windows into doors. 

Whether you want to turn your current windows into a new sliding glass door or create a new opening for an exterior door, our expert crews are trained to handle your home with care and provide you with the highest-quality outcome. 

Schedule your commitment-free consultation with a design consultant today, and get the look you LOVE coming home to!