Calgary Door Guide

Looking for Calgary Doors? Our comprehensive door buying guide covers
all your options.

Made of warm welcomes and fond farewells, the door to your home is the threshold for all thats contained
within. As you come and go in this busy world, you need a hard-working, beautiful, yet durable door, one
that can withstand the elements and provide the security you need.
Whether shopping for a new door is motivated by a need for decorative interest, a need to insulate from
cold or heat, or simply a desire to update, this can get you started.

Types of Doors
Doors come in all shapes and sizes to serve a variety of purposes:

Entry Doors
Entry doors create a first impression of your home and, therefore, need to be attractive, personable and
welcoming. They also need be strong and durable enough to withstand the elements, as well as anyone
with ill-intent.
The type of material you choose, be it wood, fiberglass, or steel, will depend on your personal preference, as
well as how much weather exposure the door will receive. A strong material and solid construction will
have your door performing well and looking good.

Patio Doors
Patio doors create convenient access to your outdoor living space. Providing an easy flow of friends and
family coming and going, they create a natural access point.
Todays patio doors have none of the issues caused by the doors of old. No longer must you be concerned
about losing heat, leaking water, or a lack of security. Both frames and glass are stronger and more energy
efficient. Be they sliding,Garden, or French doors, many patio doors have screens for ventilation and
weather stripping to block the wind, rain and dirt.
Hardware Finishes in brass, bronze, nickel, chrome or traditional white can match your dcor, while
options also include Low E Argon glass, which keeps the UV rays at bay and improves insulation. Safety
neednt be an issue as many doors offer both an exterior lock and auxiliary locks.
Choosing the right patio door has much to do with your personality. You want your new door to look good
and function well:
! Sliding Patio doors are perhaps the most popular as they easily glide open without interfering
with traffic areas or furniture. Easy to maintain, sliding doors allow natural light to flood the
adjacent room.
! Swinging doors are sometimes referred to as Garden patio doors and function similarly to
traditional exterior doors. They come in pairs with full paned glass panels and can swing either to

the exterior or interior. Another variation is the French door, which is hinged at the side jambs .
They will have an astragal, or vertical middle bar, so that both doors open fully.
Folding doors can create even wider access to the outside, operating much like an accordion. Each
section slides on an overhead track and then neatly folds away accordion style, leaving full access.

Storm Doors
Storms doors block those wintery drafts in the winter and help to insulate, while letting natural light
shine through. Many come with screen options to encourage air flow, and although the storm doors of old
werent overly appealing, modern storm doors can enhance the beauty of your home.
You will want to consider both the type and size you need, as well as the accessibility of the screen. Many
come with interchangeable glass and screen panels, while others are constructed so that the unused glass
or screen panel is stored within. The most common type is one with a solid panel in the lower third of the
door, allowing you to open and close each section- screen or glass- independently. You might also choose a
full glass panel to showcase your new entry door.
Another key consideration is security. Security storm doors are often constructed with a heavy
aluminum frame covering a solid wood or foam core. Some are made of heavy gauge aluminum or even
with steel strips. If you choose a storm door for safety, be sure that the deadbolts and hinges are vandalproof.
Storm and screen doors are available in several standard widths: 30, 32, 34 and 36. To ensure you get
the size right, measure the opening between the exterior casings, or brick mould rather than the door itself.
Most are packaged as pre-hung doors and can be hinged on either side.

Materials
You can find a beautiful, yet hard-working, door in a variety of materials:

Fiberglass Doors
Fiberglass provides the look and feel of wood, as many fiberglass doors mimic the colors and grains of
wood. Fiberglass doors stand up to most climates and offer many advantages over traditional doors made
of wood or metal. Some manufactures create their doors with no CFCs, an advantage in that your new
door will do no harm to the environment.
Although the initial investment for a fiberglass door may be higher, the long-term benefits of lowmaintenance can outweigh the cost. Doors made from fiberglass rarely scratch, peel, buckle or warp and
are filled with an insulating foam that provides as much as 5X the insulating effects of wood doors.

Fiberglass Clad Doors

Fibreglass doors are also referred to as fiberglass clad doors, meaning that a protective coating of
fiberglass or PVC covers a wood or composite core. The fibreglass cover greatly improves the durability of
exterior doors and reduces maintenance. Scratch resistant surfaces will keep your door looking like new for
years with improved weather resistance. Fiberglass clad doors are virtually no maintenance, so you won't
have to repaint for the life of the doors.
The fibreglass cladding is available in a variety of colours and textures including modern designs or the
look of real wood.

Steel Doors
Steel is an option that wont break the bank, offering durability and strength. Steel doors have been
treated to resist rust and typically require minimal maintenance, outperforming other materials in
withstanding the elements.
Steel doors, when properly installed and maintained, can last decades. Over time, when most doors made
from wood or aluminum must be replaced, steel doors, which do not absorb moisture, can be repaired
fairly inexpensively, saving you money over the life of your home.

Steel doors also tend to be the most secure and can reduce the transmission of sound. They are energy
efficient and can be painted an array of colors, offering many options for that aesthetic beauty youre
looking for.

Aluminum Doors
Aluminum doors are more popular in commercial buildings and are not typically used for residential use.
Aluminum is an affordable, easily available and easily maintained, solid material, which stands up well in
most climates and resists corrosion. Lightweight and easy to both open and close, aluminum doors resist
warping and/or becoming brittle with age. Because aluminum creates a thick layer of aluminum oxide
when it is exposed to air, the metal becomes sealed and resistant to rust.
Because aluminum is so malleable, the material can be easily cut and fashioned into a variety of designs.
Some aluminum doors offer an embossed wood grain or geometric pattern. You can also paint and repaint
your aluminum doors. Simply remember to use a good primer.

Metal Clad Doors

Just as fiberglass clad doors, a metal coating, often aluminum, over a wood or composite core increases
the durability of the door and greatly reduces the need for maintenance. With real wood appearances or
solid color finishes, there are almost endless design options for fiberglass or metal clad doors.

Wood Doors
Thanks to the large variety of elegant wood choices, wood doors are a beautiful and popular choice,
giving your home a high-quality, top-end look. Fir, mahogany and alder are often used to create these
exquisite doors, each with its own unique grain and color. Clad-wood, wood that has been protected with a
strong layer of metal is another option.
Wood doors do tend to be more expensive, and because they can absorb damaging moisture, they require
some maintenance. Also protecting your beautiful wood door with a storm door is wise.
Solid wood doors are made of solid wood with no fillers or laminates and are the heaviest and most secure
doors on the market. Although some wood doors risk shifting , warping and expanding, a high-quality
wood door should withstand such trouble. There will be maintenance as the finish wears, but they can be
sanded and refinished or painted.

Door Configuration
One of the most important features of your new door is its configuration. In fact, shopping for your door by
focusing first on the configuration is the easiest way to narrow your search.
Basically, you will be looking at the size and arrangement of the elements of your door.

Single Doors
A single door is just that- one, single door. However, you can customize your single door and add natural
light with one or two sidelights.
You can also explore the design options that a transom, a geometric-shaped window atop your door,
provides. You can choose a single door with 2 sidelights and a traditional horizontal transom, a single door
with 2 sidelights and an elliptical transom, or a single door with 2 sidelights and a half-circle transom.

Double Doors
Double doors create a grand entrance for your homes. You might also choose a double door with two
sidelights, one on each side and/or a transom.

Exterior Door Accents

Once youve decided on the type and material of door, there is an array of decorative accents to give your
home plenty of style. The hardest part is deciding what you like best.

Glass
Most doors have the option of glass, an attractive way to add personality. Opting for glass neednt increase
your energy bills as most of the todays decorative glass doors are manufactured with energy-efficient
insulated glass. Doors with stained or silk-screened glass have become increasingly popular, as have doors
with beveled glass panes. You might choose glass in one large pane (or lite) or one in which the glass is
divided into several different lites.

Sidelites (or Sidelights)

Many homeowners choose a door with sidelites, a narrow vertical window that flanks one or both sides of
the door. Often paired with transoms, sidelites add emphasis and interest and flood your entrance with
natural light.

Transoms
An attractive architectural feature for any door, a transom is a horizontal window that brings interest to
the door design and even more natural light into the foyer. Transom options are as varied as the glass they
contain: beveled, stained or clear. Youll also have a choice in shape: arched, ellipsed or rectangular.

In-Glass Blinds
A more contemporary decorative feature is the option of adjustable blinds engineered inside the glass
panes. In-glass blinds negate the need for cumbersome blinds or pesky privacy curtains.

More Door Considerations

As you continue your search for the perfect door, you will want to keep in mind the need for insulation,
energy efficiency, security, light and durability.

Insulation and Energy Efficiency

Older, uninsulated or improperly installed doors can leak air and waste energy through conduction. Once
youve decided to buy a new door or doors, however, those limitations can be a thing of the past. Newer,
energy-efficient doors can save in your heating and cooling costs, as well as increase the security of your
home. However, poor installation can negate much of the energy-efficiency of high quality doors and even
cause damage to your home and door frames by letting in moisture and debris. Don't cut corners on your
door installation.
To select the perfect door for your climate, you need to consider its energy performance ratings. Calgary is
in Zone B of Canada's Energy Star program. Whether an entry door or a patio door, youll want to know of
any included insulation and/or weather stripping. Remember that glass and/or patio doors loose more heat
than other types, as glass is not a good insulator. The more modern glass doors typically include a thermal
break, which is an insulating plastic. Others offer layers of glass, low-emissivity coatings or lowconductivity gasses between the panes ( Low e Argon ), which all provide good insulation.

Security
Steel doors tend to provide the best defense against any unwanted guests. Whatever your choice of
material, however, it important to include a deadbolt lock in addition to other standard locking systems.

Light
Glass panes, windows and decorative transoms all enhance the beauty of your door and your home,
bringing in lots of natural light. Many of these decorative, glass accents include low-emissivity coatings (
Low E Argon )to prevent harmful UV rays from warming your space and/or fading your homes interior.
You might also choose tempered, impact-resistant glass or noise-resistant glass.

Durability
Most doors on the market are far more durable than their counterparts of the past. Fiberglass doors are
nearly maintenance-free and will not rust, offering the most longevity. Steel doors will not crack, warp or
rot and require little maintenance. Finishing your wood door with a high-quality finish will help to preserve
its beauty and elegance.

The Vocabulary of Doors

Understanding the language of doors can help as you consider all your options:
! Inswing doors are those that open in.
! Outswing doors open toward the outside.
! Left hand doors , looking from the exterior, define where the hinges are placed - on the left for an
inswing or outswing door.

!
!
!
!
!

Right Hand doors looking from the exterior, position the hinges on the right for an inswing door
and outswing door.
Lites refer to panes of glass within the door. These are also commonly referred to as "lights" or
"sidelights".
Divided Lites are panes of glass that either are or appear to be divided.
Grilles refer to the metal, wood or plastic within a door giving it the look of containing divided lites.
Caming refers to the strips that join segmented glass.

Hardware and Hinges

Choosing the type of hardware and hinges to best accompany your new door is one more step in showing
off your personality. Many home owners match the hardware of their doors to the hardware theyve
chosen for their cabinetry. Others simply make sure their door hardware choices are consistent throughout
their home.
The most common material used for hardware and hinges is steel, as it is both strong and inexpensive and
can be finished in satin nickel, brass, black, pewter, brushed chrome, or oil rubbed bronze.
A hardware and hinge choice of either satin nickel or polished brass creates a strong surface that
withstands the effects of both use and weather. Home owners looking for a sleek, contemporary finish tend
to choose satin nickel. Brass hardware, while once a popular choice, is no longer used often.
An oil rubbed bronze finish is one that has been chemically darkened to simulate aged bronze. Colors
within this finish can vary from a dark chocolatey brown to a dark gray, both of which typically sport
copper undertones. Its best to check samples before buying to make sure youre getting the color you
want.

A Beautiful, Functional Door

Choosing the best door for you and your home is not as simple as you first might think. There are many
considerations in function, design, durability and security. But with a little understanding of whats needed
and whats available, youll soon be on your way to the beautiful, functional door both you and your home
deserve.

Looking for New Doors in Calgary?

There are many options and factors that can influence your new or replacement doors.
Call Old West Windows & Doors Calgary today at 403 262 3933 for a no-obligation consultation on all
your window and door requirements. We'll be happy to help you navigate through your choices of door:
! operating style
! frame material
! hardware, and
! architectural considerations.

We have helped thousands of people select the best windows and doors for their home. You can rest at
ease with our experienced recommendations.
New doors and windows can enhance your homes style and energy efficiency, increase curb appeal and
add to resale value. Allow our expert staff to walk you through choosing a product that is perfect for you.

!
Contact!Old!West!for!all!your!Calgary!windows!and!doors.!!