Replacing your front door is an easy and exciting way to redefine the look of your home. Before jumping into any home upgrade, it’s important to understand the costs involved. To ensure your front door replacement cost falls within your budget, you want to look at a few factors. Pricing for front doors can vary a lot. The materials, size, design, and additional features, like decorative glass, all impact the price.
You also want to consider labor and installation costs. It might seem like an easy task, but installing a new front door is often more involved than just a few screws. Even the handiest of homeowners would be wise to trust the installation to a certified professional installer. Your home’s first impression is too important to cut corners on. Aside from curb appeal, your door’s security, soundproof level, and weather resistance are essential to get right, too. This is especially true with the seasonal fluctuations in and around the greater Chicagoland area.
Front Door Material Options
These days, front doors come in many different materials. Material costs themselves can vary drastically. The material you choose can affect the tools, labor, and cost of installing your new door. Common materials include:
- Steel
- Fiberglass (also called fiberglass composite)
- Aluminum
- Glass
- Wrought iron
- Wood
In and around Chicagoland, a door made of weather-resistant materials is a priority. We don’t recommend installing a full glass or aluminum front door in our chilly winter climates. But adding glass or aluminum accents to your front door can be a great way to add a personalized touch and impact your budget.
Steel Entryway Doors
Homeowners focused on security may be interested in exploring steel door varieties. Steel doors offer several other advantages as well. They are generally weather-resistant, long-lasting, and energy-efficient. Steel doors can be a more affordable choice than some other higher-end options. A basic steel door can range between $100 to $500. Adding glass accents or side lights can increase the price to between $500 and $2,500.
Fiberglass Entryway Doors
For a low-maintenance front door, fiberglass is a great choice. It’s durable, energy-efficient in cold climates, and though it costs more upfront, it’s worth it in the long run. Depending on the design, a high-quality fiberglass door will run you between $1,000 to $5,000.
Many homeowners prefer fiberglass doors because they can be stained or painted to match a home’s facade. A wood grain texture is often molded into the door. Fiberglass is a material that we highly recommend for its durability compared to a natural material like wood.
Wrought Iron Entryway Doors
Wrought iron doors make a grand statement. They offer security and add to your home’s long-term curb appeal. But they can also be heavy and usually have a higher price point. Wrought iron doors are generally intricately designed, which can also increase the cost. If you’re seeking the unique look of a wrought iron door, you can expect to spend between $2,000 and $12,000.
Wood Entryway Doors
Wood is a timeless choice. Wood doors come in many tree species, finishes, and styles – all of which impact the cost. Softwoods are the more economical choice. They are easier to work with, particularly pine, which will cost around $500 for a standard design.
Hardwoods are a bit pricier. For example, a base model oak door will start at about $800. Mahogany and walnut are premium hardwoods. Their base model doors will start at $1,000 to $2,000.
Entryway Door Styles and Sizes
The front door replacement cost will depend on what style of door you choose. This will influence the size of your door, whether it is a standard single, wide, or double door. It’s fun to look at the many different entryway door styles (and finishes and colors!). Some ideas include:
- Traditional front doors
- Modern front doors
- French front doors
- Farmhouse front panel
- Dutch front doors
- Decorative front iron doors
- Craftsman front doors
- Arched and half-round front doors
Each of these types of doors has unique materials and installation requirements that can impact the price. For example, French doors can be costly to install – ranging from $1,000 to $4,000 for the set. That doesn’t include the doors’ cost, which cost less when made from wood. However, they can cost up to $4,500 if you select a fiberglass option.
You may also wish to add elements to your entryway. These will add to your overall cost. Perhaps you’ve thought of:
- Sidelights (decorative glass panes on either side of the door)
- Transoms (a window above a door, sort of like a horizontal sidelight)
- Porticos (a roofed entrance supported by columns)
The standard height for a front door is 80 inches. Widths can vary, with 36 inches for a single-entry door being common. Standard doors typically cost less. Front doors typically fall into one of these size ranges:
- 24-32 inches (usually older doors)
- 36-48 inches (single entry doors)
- 60-72 inches (double entry doors)
- More than 72 inches (French doors are usually the width of two panels)
Prices will increase as you vary from standard sizes, but don’t be deterred from straying from standard sizes. You may wish to consider a custom-sized front door. At Your Window Solutions, we’ll help you find options that fit your style and budget.
Front Door Replacement Cost for Labor
The specific amount of labor involved depends on a variety of factors. For example, is your current door frame in good condition? Does your existing frame and door jamb opening fit the new door you will be installing? If not, your contractor will need to frame it.
If you’re changing your front door’s material or adding custom features, you might need to update the door frame. A door with different dimensions may also require adjusting and finishing the drywall.
Is your entryway door part of a load-bearing wall? In this case, your contractor may install a new header. Don’t forget about installing the lock set and potentially fabricating lock set holes.
Finally, a contractor will usually include the cost of the permit you’ll need to install a new front door.
Labor generally includes:
- Planning
- Removing the existing door
- Acquiring equipment and materials
- Preparing and protecting the area around the installation
- Measuring
- Trimming
- Planing
- Framing
- Cleaning up
Handyman services will generally charge by the hour, and in our area, it is usually $100 – $200 an hour. When you replace your front door with Your Window Solutions, the installation is included in the price. We will walk you through everything included in your quote and ensure we meet your needs and budget.
How to Find a Reliable Contractor to Install a Front Door
We do advise hiring a contractor with experience in hanging doors. Hiring a jack-of-all-trades handyperson is not advisable in this case. Hanging a door may appear easy, but this is something you want to get right by hiring an expert.
One of the main reasons homeowners invest in new entryway doors is energy efficiency. An improperly installed exterior door can contribute significantly to air leakage. A poorly installed or improperly sealed door can also waste energy through conduction.
Your top priority should be finding a trusted certified installer. Check customer reviews on Google or the Better Business Bureau to learn about pricing and fairness. A reliable contractor will answer all your questions and be transparent about what is and is not included in your quote. They will work with you to meet your design and budget needs. Lastly, they will provide professional installation and cleanup on your schedule.
We’ll Design and Install Your Dream Front Door and Walk You Through Front Door Replacement Cost
Navigating front door replacement cost can be challenging, but Your Window Solutions is here to help. No matter what you are looking for, our team will walk you through the pricing, options, and installation process. Call us at (833) 367-9687 to tell us about your project, or complete our contact form to schedule a free, no-obligation consultation.
