Looking to maximize the advantages your door has to offer? Let this blog series help you get started on making the most out of your home’s doors.

3. It’s easy to underestimate them but there are actually a number
of advantages that doors can offer. To make the most out of these
advantages, however, you have to ensure that you acquire your door
properly right from the very beginning. What does this mean? It means
covering the foundations of proper door selection and installation,
keeping in mind a few reminders like:
1. The material you choose determines how durable your door will be
All doors are built to withstand the elements but some last longer than
others because of the material they are made from. Aside from simply
favoring the most durable door material you can find, you should also
take into consideration how much upkeep will be required to retain
the highest possible level of durability. For instance, wood is a reliable
door material but it requires a lot of maintenance to ensure it doesn’t
succumb to moisture damage. Composite material, on the other hand,
is also tough but is not porous like wood so it doesn’t need a lot to stay
durable, even in the face of constant exposure to moisture.
2. Door appearance is just as important
Your door is one of the first things that people notice about your home
so it offers you a great opportunity to make a good first impression.
You are your home, after all, so an appreciation of your home is a good
reflection on you. Doors may form just a small portion of your home’s
exteriors but don’t underestimate how much they can contribute to
giving your property an overall boost in
PART I - ENSURING A GOOD START FOR YOUR DOORS

4. 3. A professional installation will make the difference
Your door is an investment. To ensure you make the most out of
that investment, you have to make sure that it is installed right. And
for it to be installed right, you’re going to need a professional’s help.
Professionals don’t only have the right tools for the job but they also
havethenecessaryskillsandexperiencetopulloffyourdoorinstallation.
Not to mention that opting for professional installation will give you
added protection in the form of a craftsmanship warranty on top of
manufacturer warranties.
o o o o o
Asidefromfindingtherightoneforyourhome,therearemanyotherthings
you can do to ensure you maximize the advantages a door has to offer.
Head on over to Part 2 to learn more!
PART I - ENSURING A GOOD START FOR YOUR DOORS

6. Choosing the right one will go a long way in ensuring that your door
not only lasts a while but stays beautiful and remains durable during
that time. However, what you can do to make the most out of what your
door has to offer goes beyond that. Check out these handy tips that can
help guarantee your door looks and works as good as new for the years
to come:
USE IT PROPERLY
As with anything in your home, your door has to be used properly to
help it last. While yours should be durable enough to withstand rough
handling here and there, damage from improper use will pile up, adding
totheusualwearandtearthatyourdoorissubjectedtobytheelements.
Lessen the threats that your door has to deal with by using it properly
and you’re likelier to see it last for years, maybe even decades!
KEEP IT CLEAN
Debris buildup can get in the way of proper door operation, adding
to the strain of everyday wear and tear. As such, part of ensuring you
maximize what your door has to offer lies in keeping it clean. Aside from
making sure the door panels are free from dirt, you should also brush
away debris from your door’s moving parts, like hinges (in French doors)
and tracks (in sliding doors).
PART 2 - MAKING THE MOST OUT OF DOORS - WHAT TO DO

7. GET IT CHECKED REGULARLY
Even the toughest things in your home will benefit from receiving
regular TLC and the same goes for your door. Have it checked regularly
by a professional and you can spot problems before they worsen or
even prevent them from starting in the first place. The kind of upkeep
your door will need will depend on the kind of material it was made
from. To enjoy maintenance convenience and savings then, make sure
you opt for a low-maintenance choice when you can.
Doors are made to last but a littleTLC can make the difference between
one that stays with you 10 years, and another that lasts twice as long as
that.
o o o o o
You’ve learned about the things you have to do to make the most out of
your door. Now, it’s time to learn about what you should avoid. Head on
over to Part 3 to learn more!
PART 2 - MAKING THE MOST OUT OF DOORS - WHAT TO DO

9. Regular use contributes to the wear and tear that doors have to deal
with. That comes with the territory, however, as doors are meant to
be used. But while regular use is understandable, improper use is not.
Along with improper care and maintenance, using your door incorrectly
aggravates wear and tear, which leads to a door not lasting as long as
it should. Know what to avoid when caring for and using a door and
you should be able to help yours last a while. Here are some things you
should avoid where your door is concerned:
SLAMMING IT SHUT
It does feel good to slam a door shut when you’re upset but please don’t
take out your emotions on your door. If you happen to be, say, naturally
forceful, then you can consider adding accessories to your door that will
help limit operation in such a way that your door neither overextends
its hinges or get slammed shut. Talk to your contractor about adding
door stops, for instance, as these will prevent your door from slamming
against the wall when opened.
FOREGOING MAINTENANCE
Again, your door will benefit from routine maintenance. While you
should leave more complicated tasks to a professional, there are some
things that you can carry out on your own, like keeping your door clean
and oiling hinges to ensure smooth operation.
PART 3 - MAKING THE MOST OUT OF DOORS - WHAT TO AVOID

10. Using your door beyond its intended purpose
It’s safe to say that your door is not a fragile little object. However, it is
also not a jack of all trades, meaning it’s not meant to be used as other
than, well, a door. For instance, many homeowners are guilty of hanging
a lot of things on their doors. A doorknob does make a handy hook but
using your door as a hanger does result in added weight that it is not
made to accommodate.
o o o o o
Doors feature a number of advantages. By taking to heart what this blog
series covered, we hope you’ll be able to maximize the advantages that
your door has to offer. Should you need more assistance making the
most out of your door, don’t hesitate to give your local contractor a call.
PART 3 - MAKING THE MOST OUT OF DOORS - WHAT TO AVOID

11. Renwal by Andersen
of Austin
2100 Kramer Lane, Suite 600,
Austin, TX 78758
(512) 298-2270
RBAofAustin.com