An astonishing 34% of intruders enter through the front door. Typically, doors account for around 11% of heat loss in a typical household.

Your doors are essential for safety, security, energy performance, and curb appeal. When either one of these has failed, it’s time to replace it. A new exterior door improves curb appeal, increases energy efficiency, and provides security.

Do you need a new front door? One that will provide better insulation and curb appeal than your current door? It’s important to know exactly what factors affect the price of front doors, so we will cover those.

This article will also discuss the many different styles and costs of front doors.

Front Door Styles

Whatever material you choose, there are quite a few styles to choose from. Every material has a range of different styles with options for personalization.

• Paneled doors have panels of wood or fiberglass.
• Flushed doors are plain with no designs. They are ideal for doors that are not visible or form a part of the curb appeal.
• Arched doors have an arch-shaped design.
• Decorative doors have intricate woodwork and metal scrollwork, to name a few.
• Glass doors are generally wood doors with glass panels or windows to allow natural light inside.

Pre-hung doors cost $40 to $90 each for basic hollow-core styles. And the cost can go up to $1,000 or more for solid wood or glass doors. Doors with decorative elements like sidelights will cost you $600 to $2,000.

Is Replacing Your Front Door Worth It?

Front doors are the barriers between the external elements and intruders. If your door is damaged, cracked, or weathered, you may want to look into replacing it.

Furthermore, the look of the front doors also matters if you are planning on selling your home. An elegant and stylish door increases the resale value of your home. According to the cost vs. value report (2021), the front doors have an ROI of 68%.

In short, exterior doors are very important for exterior insulation, security, and efficiency. But they’re also great for improving your home’s value.

How Much Does It Cost to Replace Your Front Door?

An average front door replacement costs $398 – $998. The costs are dependent on the material, door style, size, to name a few. For example, A single entry door costs $398 – $798, while a double entry door costs $498 – $998. The price difference, in this case, is due to the size of the door, to a great extent.

Generally, interior doors cost lesser than their counterpart both in installation and material. Installing many doors at the same time helps to reduce costs. You tend to pay less in installation costs for each door.

Keep in mind that the installation cost varies depending on the door and condition of your home. Here are some of the factors that influence the cost of front doors.

Labor Cost

The labor cost is the main overhead cost that affects exterior door installation. The installation is a complex task that requires extensive knowledge of exterior doors. Therefore, you may want to hire someone who has the knowledge and the experience to back it up.

A carpenter has the required skill and experience to install the entry door in your home. But they can be expensive depending on the hourly rates – which vary from one state to another.

On average, the labor cost ranges between $30 – $80 per hour, depending on the professional. For example, installing an exterior door costs $230 to $800, depending on the work involved. The labor cost also depends on whether the door is installed on an existing frame or a wall opening.

Front Door Material Costs

Materials are an important consideration when it comes to exterior doors. This is because they affect the quality of the door and its insulation capabilities. In addition, the exterior is exposed to external elements like rain and snow. As a result, they can cause damage over time – especially if you live in areas with extreme weather conditions.

The standard exterior door materials include fiberglass, wood, and steel. Fiberglass doors are more popular since you can mold them into any design you want. This makes them an excellent choice for those who like to customize their homes with stylish designs. They also mimic the appearance of wood and are energy efficient at a much reasonable price.

Hardware Cost

The hardware is as essential as the entry door itself and can affect your home security. From keyed locksets, handles sets, latches sets to hinges, there is quite a lot of hardware depending on your budget.

Knobs can be anywhere between $10 to $300 depending on your choice. From simple keyed knobs to smart locks, you have quite a few options. The average cost of hinges can range from $100 to $400, depending on the material. The size, however, depends on the material and the weight of the door.

Locksets are priced between $50 and $500 each, including the installation cost. In addition, keyed locksets have extra costs since the lock cylinder needs to be changed. It may also require rekeying your entry door as well.

A door jamb, on the other hand, is custom to every door. The jambs can cost up to $250, including routing and holes drilled for hardware. Panic bars, security bars, and levers are other types of exterior door hardware you may need.

Finishing Cost

The aesthetics of your home is an essential factor that affects the cost of front doors. Front doors serve as a reflection of your personality and taste. Faux finishes, stain colors – these options add to the overall appeal and style of your exterior doors.

Exterior door finishes are priced between $25 to $300 depending on the exterior finish – paint or stain. The door material also affects the finishing costs since it impacts the durability of the paint.

The paint has to be applied in two finishing coats—first, a primer followed by exterior finish color for staining the exterior doors. The cost of the finishes is $350 to $900, depending on the material, style, and labor costs involved.

However, you can save some money if you do it yourself.

How Much Is a New Front Door?

One of the most critical factors affecting the cost of an entry door is the door itself. The type of door you use depends on the material and the style. Taking them into account, an average front door costs between $300 to $6000.

Here are the different door materials and their cost.

Steel Door

The steel door is priced between $300 to $3000. They are a popular choice for security doors due to their durability and strength. However, since they tend to fade and rust, steel doors aren’t a common material for an entry door.

Fiberglass Door

The fiberglass door is priced higher than steel and wood doors due to its strength and durability. In addition, the insulated core offers energy efficiency and helps save money in the long run. The cost of a fiberglass door can range from $8,000 to $10,000.

Wood Door

These are the most common doors as both exterior and interior doors. A prehung wood door costs around $400, while a custom door can go as much as $1500 and more. On the other hand, a solid wood door with decorative accents can cost up to $20,000. The cost of a wood door depends on its material, style, design, and whether it is an interior or exterior door.

Vinyl Door

Vinyl doors are pretty affordable and come in different designs and styles. It’s also the most durable material among all materials since it doesn’t rust or corrode. A prehung vinyl door goes for $150, while a custom one costs around $500 to $800, depending on design and size.

Wrought Iron Door

These are some of the most expensive entry doors. However, they have a classic look and can be custom designed to suit your taste or style. The cost of a wrought iron door is anywhere between $1500 to $7,000 depending on size and design.

Average Installation Cost of Different Front Door Styles

Before you shop for an entry door, it is best to determine which type of door is suitable for your needs. There are quite a few different door styles depending on your need. Choosing a style is vital since the installation cost varies depending on the style.

Here are the different types of doors and their installation costs.

Screen Door

The screen door is the most affordable entry door since it’s not insulated. A pre-hung wood screen door costs around $98 at HomeDepot. On the other hand, custom doors can cost between $300 and $400. As usual, the cost varies depending on the design and material used.

Security Door

If your primary concern is security, then this type of door will suit you best. They have iron bars to provide additional protection and guard against burglaries. They are generally installed in front of your entry door. The cost to install a security door ranges from $300 and $700. The cost varies depending on the materials used, design, and style, among other factors.

Storm Door

Storm doors are a combination of a screen door and an entry door. It’s the most common choice since it offers security, energy efficiency with good insulation. In addition, they help protect your home again external elements while providing ventilation. The cost to install a storm door is $168 and can increase depending on style and design.

Entry Front Door

Entry doors are one of the most expensive types of exterior doors. They are generally sturdy doors focusing on security. It also features keyed entry locks and other custom features. Depending on the custom features, the cost may vary. The entry door installation costs around $468 for each door.

Double-Entry Front Door

The double entry doors are more expensive than single entry doors due to their difficulty. It has two separate panels, which make them heavy. They require a top-notch installation technique. But, they are known to increase the curb appeal and also provide additional security. A double entry door installation cost is around $500 to $1,000 per installation.

Bi-Fold Door

Bi-fold doors feature two separate panels and a middle hinge that fold into each other when you open the door. They often require special hardware and installation techniques to make them work. However, you can also use them for closet applications as well. The cost to install bi-fold doors is around $228, depending on size and design, among other factors.

Patio Door

Often referred to as “Sliding Doors,” the patio doors consist of two glass panels. They slide open to allow access to the outside while enhancing energy efficiency. They often require special hardware but can be installed by a professional contractor. The patio door installation cost is around $618 each, depending on size and design.

Slab Door

Slab doors are the least expensive of all pre-hung doors (installation costs). And even more so if you have an existing door frame. They are the traditional entry door with a single panel of wood attached to the door frame. The slab door installation costs $228 per door. The price may rise depending on the size and condition of the door opening.

French Door

French doors are an excellent choice for rooms with a view. They allow you to enjoy the outside scenery and bring in more lighting as well as provide security. They are two sets of doors that either swing inward or outward. The French door installation cost amounts to $324 per door depending on size and style.

How Much Does It Cost to Create a New Doorway?

You can cut a new doorway during the construction process or after it’s completed. The cost of creating a new doorway is based on the house’s location, size, and condition. And above all, whether the door is single or double entry. The cost of creating a new doorway is $253 – $345 per opening.

How Much Does a Back Door Replacement Cost?

The back door installation cost is less than the front doors since they don’t require much detail and workmanship. The primary material for a replacement back door includes fiberglass, steel, or wood-core with aluminum skin. The price to replace a backdoor ranges from $78 – $200 depending on size and style, among other factors.

How Long Does It Take to Replace Your Front Door?

Exterior door installers can install a replacement entry door in an average of four to six hours. The duration depends on whether you want a replacement door, custom door, or a prehung entry door. It may also be lower if you retain the existing door frame. However, a new installation can take four to eight hours or more, depending on the material and style.

The installation of a prehung entry door takes around two to four hours, depending on the design. However, you can save some time by not dismantling the door jamb.

For interior doors, it can take around four hours for one door, and a double-door can take an additional two hours.

Solid Core Doors vs Hollow Core Doors

Solid core doors are the most common type of exterior door and come in many varieties. They provide better insulation than hollow-core models. But they are also heavy and require a solid wall for installation. The material used to create these doors is often fiberglass or steel with an aluminum skin.

Hollow-core entry doors work like double pane windows where air pockets between two sheets of wood make them lighter. Since it’s lightweight, you can install it using regular screws without studs support. On the other hand, Hollow-core doesn’t have much insulation and hence allows sound to penetrate.

Solid core door installation costs range from $153 – $350, depending on style and design. Hollow Core doors cost around $100 per door to install. Note that the cost may be more or less depending on a variety of factors.

Conclusion

Doors can be quite expensive to purchase and install. You must determine your budget before proceeding with a project like this one. Installing a front door is not as easy as it seems. From selecting the right door to hanging it, every step of the way is more complex than it appears.

You need a professional to ensure that your door installation project is completed. A wrong step can cost you more money and time instead of saving it. Hire a reputable contractor with experience with these projects to avoid expensive mistakes.

Many factors affect the cost of a front door, such as size, design, and material. Therefore, ensure you understand all aspects involved with every decision made throughout this process. For more information, contact your local home improvement experts.

Assurance Builders was founded in 1998 with a commitment to provide our clients with a personal and enjoyable home improvement experience. By offering professional workmanship and quality products, Assurance Builders has earned a reputation for excellent work and quality service. If you are in need of a front door replacement in your home, contact Assurance Builders for your FREE quote today!