Front and entry door replacement
A new front door that closes square, seals tight and makes the house look finished from the street.
What a new entry door fixes
An old front door gives itself away: daylight around the edges, a draft you can feel from the stairs, a door that has to be slammed or shouldered to close, or a threshold that lets water in during a storm. A new pre-hung entry door, installed square in a sound frame, fixes all of it and is one of the quickest ways to change how a house looks from the street.
Door materials
- Fiberglass is the most popular choice: it will not rust, dent easily or rot, it insulates well, and it can be finished to look like painted wood or stained wood grain.
- Steel is strong, secure and economical, and holds paint well, though it can dent and should be kept painted.
- Glass options: half-lite and full-lite doors, sidelights on one or both sides and transoms above let in daylight without giving up the solid door.
How we install a door
- Remove the old door and frame and check the opening and sill for rot, a common problem under a front door.
- Set the new pre-hung unit plumb, level and square, which is what makes it latch easily and seal evenly.
- Flash the sill so water that hits the threshold is carried outside, not into the floor.
- Insulate and seal the gap around the frame, then set the weatherstripping so the door closes against it all the way around.
- Trim inside and out and install the lockset and hardware.
Garage doors
We also install garage doors. A new carriage-style door with window lites, like the one below, changes the whole front of a house where the garage faces the street.
New doors are often done alongside replacement windows or new siding, so the trim around every opening matches.
Common questions
Is a fiberglass or steel front door better?
Fiberglass resists dents, rust and rot and insulates slightly better; steel is strong and usually costs less. Both are good choices when installed properly.
How long does it take to replace a front door?
A standard pre-hung entry door is usually installed in a day, including trim. Custom sizes and doors with sidelights are made to order, so allow lead time.
Why does my front door stick or let in light?
The frame has usually moved out of square, the hinges have sagged, or the weatherstripping is worn. Sometimes an adjustment fixes it; often an old door needs replacing.
How much does a new entry door cost?
The material, glass options, sidelights, hardware and the condition of the frame set the price. See our cost guide.
This page was last updated in September 2026.
Time for a new front door?
Call (973) 625-7663 for an entry door estimate.