When replacing your front door, one of the things that came to mind was the front door replacement cost. There are different factors involved in the overall cost of front door replacement. Some of the things you must weigh in are the design, installation, and materials.
The good thing is that there is a wide range of options available in the market, from affordable to expensive, where you can balance your budget. Let’s break down every aspect so you can make an informed decision.
Contents
Average Front Door Replacement Cost Based on Different Types
Cost by Material
The material that you will select will affect how much the front door will cost. The following are some of the popular materials for front doors and their estimated cost:
Fiberglass
Fiberglass entry doors can range from $200 to $5,000 on average and around $700 to $3,800 with sidelights. This door is one of the best options for residential spaces because it is low maintenance and more durable.
Wood
Wood doors provide a natural wood grain appearance, come in a wide range of styles, and have excellent insulation. The average price ranges from $400 and $800, but it costs $1,200 and $4,100 if double doors or glass panels are included.
Steel
Steel doors are one of the affordable options, provide security, and have excellent insulation. This door cost around $100 and $400, while it cost $700 and $3,000 with additional glass and sidelights.
Aluminum
Aluminum doors are much cheaper compared to steel doors. Commonly, they are priced for as low as $150 up to $1,200. Despite their affordable price, this material can also be on par with others in terms of quality, minimal upkeep, and durability.
Cost by Size
The cost of the front door increases as the size increases. The most common measurement for front doors is between 80 inches high and 24 and 36 inches wide. For instance, if you choose a standard 36-by-80-inch front door, it will cost $150 to $700. It can also go up from $400 to $1,600 if you choose a larger measurement like an 80-by-48-inch door.
Cost by Style
One of the major determinants of the total front door replacement cost is the style. The following are some of the style options available and their estimated price range:
Single Door
Single doors cost less compared to other styles because they do not require added attachment. The most common price range for this style is $150 to $3,000, depending on the size and composition.
Double Door
Double doors are much larger than single doors, as they provide a wide entrance. This style commonly ranges from $700 to $5,000, depending on the style material, and size. And because they are much larger, installation is much longer and more difficult, so the price can add up to $1,250 to $6,030 in total.
Sliding Door
Sliding doors can fit small spaces because they don’t need too much floor space to open and close them. Because of this size flexibility, the sliding door can cost around $400 to $4,500, depending on their size and style and labor installation.
Multi-Panel Folding Door
Multi-panel folding doors cost multiple panels to create, so they are the most expensive option. This door costs around $4,000 to $12,000 per linear foot, and the installation can cost around $600 and $1,800. If there are additional attachments like glass, the door can add up to $13,800.
Cost by Hardware Attachments
The cost of the front door can either decrease or increase based on the additional attachment you choose. Hardware like door knobs, locks, hinges, and more can cost around $10 and $200 to your total cost.
Factors that Influence How Much a Front Door Replacement Cost
Determining the front door replacement cost involves different crucial elements. When budgeting for how much the total cost of the replacement is, take into account the following:
Materials of the Door
There are multiple options you can choose from when it comes to the door’s materials, ranging from affordable to expensive. Some of the most affordable options would be uPVC doors, with prices ranging from $40 to $100. Solid wood doors are also in a more affordable price range of $200 and $500 but can provide sufficient durability and aesthetics.
On the more expensive side, you can get glass doors for around $800 and $2,500, as it provides versatility and excellent insulation. Aluminum doors also cost around $100 to $2,000, while steel doors cost around $100 and $1,000, with aluminum being more lightweight. Also, iron doors provide a more elevated aesthetic and extreme durability, ranging from $1,500 to $7,000.
Labor Rates
Door installation is among the most difficult and time-consuming processes in the replacement. If you don’t know how to replace and install the door yourself, you must add the labor cost of the contractor to your expenses. Most independent installers or general contractors charge around $30 and $40 per hour, which is more affordable than door specialists.
Size of the Door
Front doors are available in a standard and custom size. The standard size of the front door is commonly predictable because it seldom changes. However, custom sizes can increase the price depending on the design, material, and added customization. For instance, the common size of front doors is 80 inches in height and 24-36 inches in width. With this size range, the cost can add up to $150 to $700.
Hardware and Accessories
Hardware and accessories like hinges, locks, and handles are necessary additions to doors. This increases the security and longevity of the doors. There are also additional elements like a smart lock that you can equip in your door that add up to its price.
Door Style and Design
Traditional front door design can be less expensive because it doesn’t need any more alterations. However, customized door designs can have unique architectural elements, custom decorations, and glass inserts. These elements can add up to the overall cost of the door.
Cost of Replacing the Front Door Yourself Vs. With Professional
Replacing the door yourself is a challenging task, because you have to go through the following task alone.
Step 1: Remove Your Old Door
The first step in the replacement process is to remove the old door. In doing the removal, you need to open the door fully to access the hinges, jams, slabs, and thresholds. Using a drill or screwdriver, slowly take out the screw that attached the hinges, jams, and slabs to the door. It is important that, when doing so, you start at the bottom and work your way up to avoid the door falling.
Once you remove all the door’s attachments, gently lift the door out of the entryway using a pry bar—or if you don’t have one, you can ask for a helping hand. Once the door has been removed, it is important to clean the bottom concrete and the opening. You must also check and fix any damages or rot, as well as pry the old trim off the wall.
Note: Do some measurements to check if the door is the right size and will fit the entryway.
Step 2: Installing the New Door
Before you install the door in place, make sure to do the dry fitting. This is to ensure that the door really fits the entryway. Once you ensure that it is, put it in a steady position and slowly set the door in the frame using a shim or wood block at the bottom. After doing so, check if there is at least a 5 mm allowance between the door and the frame, where you can insert the attachment.
Then, you need to caulk and seal the bottom opening of the door to install the threshold, which is the ribbed metal component. After that, you must fasten the hinges on the wall through the jambs using a 3.5-inch screw and place it on the wall stud.
In addition, you must check the door to see if it is level horizontally and vertically. This will ensure that the doors will stay in the same position and will not sway when they are being opened or closed. If the door is not level, you can adjust the shim until everything is in a straight line.
Step 3: Attach the Hardware
The next step is to attach the hardware, which includes the handle, locking system, and knob. In attaching the hardware, you can follow the manufacturer’s recommendation that if you’re using the old one, you can attach it the same way. After attaching it, check if the hardware is working and that the door should open and close properly.
Step 4: Sealing and Finishing Touches
The last step in installing the replaced front door is to add a sealing and finishing touch. In doing this step, you must look for any gaps at the sides of the door before installing and chalking the trim, and check if there’s no light coming through the sides when the door is closed.
To seal in the shims and the tiny gaps or cracks in the door, you must use an expanding foam or the chaulk. You must fill and surround the door jambs with this expanding foam or caulk as it fills and expands until it hits the side of the door.
Doing the staining yourself means having to understand and process all the information effectively. To help you do that, you can follow more of this tutorial!
Doing this task alone will require your time and more materials. In most cases, hiring a professional installer is the best option. The typical labor cost of a professional will be around $40 to $60 per hour. So the total cost can be higher when you calculate it. Despite that, work properly done can result in long-term savings because it requires less maintenance, and you will not be replacing it frequently.
FAQs about Door Replacement Cost
1. How often should doors be replaced?
The frequency of replacing the door will depend on many factors, such as the material and the degree of damage. However, most of the time, you need to replace your door every 20 to 40 years. Sometimes, you might need to replace it sooner due to being exposed to extreme weather conditions.
2. Why is replacing a door so expensive?
The front door replacement cost is much more expensive because the material and the quality of the door are higher. Since the materials and quality are higher, its features also increase. This means that the door’s lifespan, functionality, aesthetics, and performance will drastically improve.
3. How long does it take to replace a door?
The installation of replacing a door varies, especially with a different kind of door and hardware. However, it will take a minimum of 2 to 4 hours and a maximum of a day. This time range will increase if you are installing the door without a guide or assistance.
4. How do you measure a door for replacement?
In measuring the door replacement, you must first measure the height and width of the entryway from top to bottom to middle area using a tape measure. Then, you should measure the door’s thickness, normally 1 ¾ inch for exterior doors and 1 ⅜ inch for internal doors. You should also measure the frame dimension and check the squareness of the door to see if it would fit the entryway.
Conclusion
Navigating the process of replacing the front door and its cost includes many factors that you must get familiar with. If you are lost on what to do, following this guide will help you calculate the front door replacement cost and successfully install it yourself.
You are welcome to contact us anytime for a free quotation and consultation for your front door needs. We have an extensive product and service to offer!
