ServicesEntry Doors
Entry Doors in Kirkland
A front door is judged by how it closes. We replace entry doors with the slab, frame, sill and weatherstripping as one fitted unit, set dead level and sealed against wind-driven rain, so it latches softly and keeps the draft outside for years.
A new entry door, installed with care at the sill and hinges
Most entry doors that fail early were not bad doors. They were hung slightly out of plumb, set on a bare sill or fastened only into the jamb. Within a few seasons the latch drifts, the weatherstrip stops touching and water finds the subfloor.
We install pre-hung units, which means the slab arrives already fitted to its own frame. Our attention goes to the parts you never see once the trim is on: a pan flashing under the sill, shims at each hinge and the strike, long screws reaching the house framing, and insulation that fills the gap without bowing the jamb.
If your door only needs a new lock or an adjustment, we will say so. When the frame is sound but the glass in a sidelite has fogged, that may be a repair rather than a full replacement, and we will explain the difference.
What your entry door installation includes
Clean tear-out
The old slab and frame come out in pieces we control, so the drywall, plaster and siding around the opening stay intact. Drop cloths and floor runners cover your entry and the path we walk.
Sill inspection and flashing
With the old threshold out, we check the subfloor and framing for soft wood. A sloped pan flashing goes in before the new unit, so any water that gets past the threshold drains back outside.
Square, plumb and anchored
We shim behind every hinge and the strike, then drive screws through the hinge plates into the studs. That keeps the slab from sagging and the reveal even along the top.
Weatherstripping and threshold set right
We adjust the threshold height until the door sweep seals without dragging, and check that the weatherstrip compresses evenly on all sides.
Trim, sealant and hardware
Exterior brickmould and interior casing are fitted and sealed, the lockset and deadbolt installed and tested, and the strike adjusted so the latch catches cleanly.
Signs your entry door is ready for replacement
- You can see daylight
- Light at the edges or under the slab means the weatherstrip no longer seals. You will usually feel it as a cold draft on windy days.
- It sticks every rainy season
- A wood door that swells through the wet months and frees up in summer has lost its finish, and moisture is working into the core.
- The sill feels soft
- Darkened or spongy wood at the threshold often means water has been getting under the door for some time. Catching it early keeps the repair to the sill rather than the floor.
- You lift the door to lock it
- A deadbolt that only throws when you push or lift the slab points to sagging hinges or a frame that has moved out of square.
- Fogged glass or dented panels
- Condensation between the panes of a door lite or sidelite, or a steel skin that has dented and started to rust, rarely repairs well.
How an entry door project runs
- 1
Consultation and measuring
We look at the opening, measure the rough frame and talk through materials, glass and hardware. Your quote comes itemized, and you are welcome to take your time with it.
- 2
Ordering your door
Your door is built to the measured size with the finish and swing you chose. We go over every detail with you once more before placing the order.
- 3
Setting the new door
The old unit comes out, the sill gets its pan flashing, and the new door is shimmed, anchored and trimmed with every joint sealed. Most installs are finished in a single day, and your entry is secure again by evening.
- 4
Walk-through and cleanup
We open and close the door with you, show you how the threshold adjusts and haul away the old door and debris.
What shapes the cost of a new entry door
The price of an entry door depends on more than the slab you pick. Material, glass and the state of the wood beneath your old threshold each carry weight. We break these out line by line in your quote, so the number you approve is the number you pay unless we find hidden damage and talk it over with you first.
- Door material
- Steel, fiberglass and solid wood differ in price and upkeep. Fiberglass holds up well to our damp winters with little maintenance, while wood asks for regular refinishing.
- Sidelites and transoms
- Added glass panels mean a larger frame, more flashing and more glass to choose, which raises the cost.
- Glass and hardware
- Decorative or privacy glass, a multipoint lock or premium handle sets each change the price.
- Condition of the sill and framing
- If rot has reached the subfloor or framing, that repair is added before the new door goes in. We show you what we find before doing extra work.
- Changing the opening
- Widening an opening means new framing and a header, which takes more time and may require a permit.
Entry door questions
- Should I choose fiberglass, steel or wood?
- Fiberglass is the choice most people settle on here because it resists moisture and does not dent. Steel is strong and economical but can rust once the skin is damaged. Wood looks beautiful and suits older homes, though it needs refinishing every few years to stay stable.
- How long is my doorway left open while you work?
- Not long. The old door stays in place until the new unit has arrived and we have checked it over. Tear-out and setting the new frame happen back to back, and the opening is sealed and lockable again before our crew packs up.
- Do I need a permit for a new entry door?
- A same-size replacement usually does not. If we widen the opening or change the framing, a permit may be needed, and we will tell you up front and handle it.
- Can you match the door to my existing trim and paint?
- Yes. We can fit new casing to suit your existing interior trim, and many doors come factory finished or primed for painting in the color you choose.
- Do you offer financing?
- We offer flexible payment options. Bring it up when we talk on the phone or at the consultation, and we will explain the choices so you can decide what fits your budget.
Ready for a door that closes the way it should
Tell us about your current door and how it is behaving. We offer free, no-pressure quotes and will come measure the opening at a time that suits you.