Estimate exterior door replacement costs including door, hardware, sidelights, and professional installation. Compare steel, fiberglass, and wood options.
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1 door(s) at $1,715.00 each
| Door | $1,200.00 |
|---|---|
| Hardware | $175.00 |
| Sidelights | $0.00 |
| Installation Labor | $300.00 |
| Per Door Total | $1,715.00 |
| Materials (all doors) | $1,415.00 |
| Labor (all doors) | $300.00 |
| Grand Total | $1,715.00 |
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Steel doors are the most affordable option at $200 to $800 for a basic entry door. They offer the best security (20-gauge or thicker steel resists forced entry), good insulation with foam-filled cores (R-5 to R-6), and low maintenance with factory-applied paint finishes. Disadvantages include susceptibility to denting, potential for rust at edges and scratches, and a flat appearance that lacks the depth and texture of wood or fiberglass. Steel doors are ideal for side entries, garage entries, and budget-conscious front door replacements.
Fiberglass doors cost $500 to $3,000 and have become the most popular entry door material. Premium fiberglass doors feature compression-molded skins that realistically replicate wood grain texture. They resist denting, rusting, warping, and rotting. Foam-filled cores provide R-5 to R-7 insulation. Fiberglass can be stained or painted to match any home style. Leading brands include Therma-Tru Benchmark, Pella, and JELD-WEN. For most homeowners, fiberglass provides the best combination of aesthetics, durability, energy efficiency, and value.
Wood doors cost $800 to $5,000+ and offer unmatched natural beauty. Species include mahogany ($2,000 to $5,000+), oak ($800 to $2,500), and knotty alder ($600 to $2,000). Wood doors can be custom designed with any panel configuration, glass pattern, or carved detail. The drawback is maintenance: wood entry doors require refinishing every 1 to 3 years to protect against moisture, UV damage, and warping. Solid wood doors have lower insulation values (R-2 to R-3) than insulated steel or fiberglass.
Standard replacement installation (new prehung door in existing opening) costs $200 to $600, taking 3 to 5 hours. This includes removing the old door and frame, installing the new prehung unit, shimming for plumb and level, insulating the gap between frame and rough opening, installing new weatherstripping, and testing operation. If the existing rough opening is the correct size and in good condition, this is straightforward work.
New frame installation or frame modification costs $400 to $1,000 when the rough opening needs resizing. This may involve cutting or framing new header and jack studs, adjusting the threshold height, or widening the opening. If the opening needs to be made larger (especially in a load-bearing wall), a structural header must be installed, potentially costing $800 to $2,000+ depending on the span and engineering requirements. Always hire a licensed contractor for structural modifications.
Door hardware ranges from basic to premium. Basic handlesets ($50 to $100) include a keyed entry handle and deadbolt in builder-grade finishes. Standard hardware ($150 to $250) offers better quality, more finish options (oil-rubbed bronze, satin nickel, matte black), and improved lock mechanisms. Premium hardware ($300 to $600) from brands like Schlage, Baldwin, and Emtek features heavy solid brass or forged iron construction with Grade 1 commercial-quality locks. Smart locks ($200 to $500) add keyless entry, remote monitoring, and integration with home automation systems.
The front door is the focal point of your home's facade and should complement the architectural style. Colonial and traditional homes pair well with raised-panel doors in six-panel or cross-buck configurations. Craftsman and bungalow homes suit doors with upper glass panels and lower wood panels, often with divided-light patterns. Modern and contemporary homes look best with flush slab doors or minimal panel designs, often featuring large glass inserts or sidelights. Mediterranean and Spanish-style homes call for arched top doors, often in dark wood or wrought iron with decorative clavos (nail heads).
Color choice significantly impacts curb appeal. Currently trending colors include matte black, navy blue, deep green, and warm red. Studies show that homes with bold-colored front doors sell faster than those with white or neutral doors. The door color should contrast with the siding while coordinating with shutters, trim, and hardware finishes. A fresh coat of paint on an existing door ($50 to $100 in materials) is one of the highest-ROI home improvements at virtually no cost relative to the value added.
Glass inserts in entry doors balance natural light with privacy. Clear glass provides maximum light but no privacy. Decorative glass options include beveled glass (classic elegance, moderate privacy), frosted or etched glass (good privacy with diffused light), stained or art glass ($200 to $1,000 premium for custom designs), rain glass (textured surface providing privacy while allowing light), and low-E glass (energy-efficient coating that blocks UV while allowing visible light).
Sidelights (narrow fixed windows flanking the door) dramatically enhance the entry appearance and add natural light to the foyer. A single sidelight adds $350 to $600 to the door cost, while double sidelights add $700 to $1,200. Transom windows above the door add another $300 to $800. The combination of an entry door with sidelights and transom creates a grand entrance that significantly boosts curb appeal and is particularly popular on colonial and traditional homes with wide entryways.
Modern entry doors offer multiple security features beyond the basic deadbolt. Multipoint locking systems engage bolts at the top, middle, and bottom of the door simultaneously, distributing force across the entire frame and making kick-in entry extremely difficult. Reinforced strike plates with 3-inch screws that reach the wall framing (instead of just the door jamb) prevent the most common forced entry method. Impact-resistant glass options withstand repeated blows without shattering. Smart lock integration provides keyless entry, activity logging, and remote monitoring through smartphone apps. For maximum security, choose a steel or fiberglass door with a multipoint lock system and reinforced frame.
A standard exterior door costs $300 to $2,000 for the door alone. Entry doors with sidelights cost $800 to $4,000. French doors cost $1,500 to $5,000. Sliding patio doors cost $800 to $4,000. Installation adds $200 to $600 per door.
Professional door installation costs $200 to $600 for a standard replacement in an existing frame. New frame installation costs $400 to $1,000. Custom sizes or structural modifications cost $800 to $2,000+. Most installations take 3-5 hours.
Fiberglass is the best overall value: durable, energy-efficient, low maintenance, and available in wood-grain finishes. Steel is most secure and affordable. Solid wood offers the best aesthetics but requires regular maintenance. Each material suits different priorities.
Fiberglass doors last 30 to 50 years. Steel doors last 20 to 40 years (may dent or rust). Wood doors last 20 to 50 years with maintenance. Vinyl sliding doors last 20 to 30 years. Aluminum doors last 30 to 45 years.
Yes. An Energy Star-rated door with proper weatherstripping and insulated core can reduce energy loss by 25 to 50% compared to an old door. Fiberglass doors with foam cores achieve R-5 to R-7. Steel doors achieve R-5 to R-6. Solid wood is R-2 to R-3.
Entry door replacement recoups 70 to 90% of cost at resale according to Remodeling Magazine. A $2,000 entry door adds approximately $1,400 to $1,800 to home value. It also improves curb appeal, security, and energy efficiency.
Standard exterior doors are 36 inches wide by 80 inches tall (3-0 x 6-8). Common alternatives are 32 inches wide and 96 inches tall (8-foot doors). Double doors are typically 72 inches wide (two 36-inch doors). Always measure the existing frame before ordering.
Replace the entire prehung unit (door, frame, and threshold) if the existing frame is damaged, rotted, or out of square. Slab-only replacement works when the frame is in good condition and the new door matches the existing hinge and lock preparations.
Total = (Door + Hardware + Sidelights + Install) x Quantity
Install varies by type: replacement vs new frame vs structural
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