Entry doors costs

[isuhunter]

We are looking at a new entry door for our garage and garage to house and front entry door of our house.

I cannot get over the price of these doors.

Front entry with a sidelite is running $5500 for fiberglass wood grain.

I've been working through the local lumberyard for estimates. Has anyone had decent luck at Lowes or Home Depot? I'm hesitant for some reason it wouldn't fit and then we are stuck with a door.

 

[bdbecker]

Pull the trim off around the doors so you can get the exact dimensions of the rough openings for each door. Also make note of the location of the hinges/handles and the direction of swing for each door. From there, you should have all the info you need to purchase/order the doors you need.

EDIT:
It would also be worthwhile to record the width of your current doors - it would be annoying if you currently have a 36" wide door with side glass and to accidentally order a 34" wide door with side glass.

 

[Toolfool]

The nicer the door, the more $$$. Maybe try a local GC who does remodel work.

Friend of mine purchased Anderson 3'-0" entry door and 5'-0" French doors for $6800. Got a labor estimate of $3500. I installed both at "friend" price of $2000 (labor and material).

 

[yeldogt]

It all depends on what you are looking for -- your needs. Nice doors are not cheap.

36" 2 1/4 thick glass/wood doors from LePage cost me just north of 4k each plus tax. Prefinished w/ hardware and 3 point lock. The wood screens being another $1100 each with all the hardware.

My clad Pella was around $3500.

Above is just the pre-hung door -- no trim or install. Both had a fair about of glass -- they were not front doors with typically less glass and more wood.

A proper solid wood door can easily be 5k ... even the Simpson doors get up there when you get away from basic pine.

People will disagree -- but, I don't see value in HD or Lowes.

 

[polizei1]

Family member has been installing doors for 40 years, I worked with him for three. Purchase from a lumber yard, the following brands are well made:

Simpson
Therma-Tru
Andersen
Marvin
Hoelscher

Typically anything a lumber yard has will be high quality, but the installation is paramount. If you buy a $10k door and don't install it properly, you've wasted your money because it won't last long.

Expect to pay $3-5k for the door plus labor of at least $1,000 (typically they take 2-days to install), plus finish/stain cost of ~$1,000. I'm not personally a fan of fiberglass, but they're nice products. Some models are fiberglass on the bottom 6-12" of the frame, which is where rot occurs. If you go with wood, they need to be finished in Marine Varnish (3-4 coats), and 1-2 coats re-applied every 1-3 years depending on weather/sun exposure.

My 8' 5'-4" Double Arched Hoelscher was $3,100 for the door, it's mahogany.

 

[6768rogues]

When I was in the remodeling business, I could install one complex door or two easy doors in one day, complete with trim and ready to paint, working alone.
Check with some siding, window and door suppliers. I have purchased very nice "dead stock" doors (ordered wrong, not picked up, etc.) for pennies on the dollar.

 

[Tinkerman66]

People will disagree -- but, I don't see value in HD or Lowes.

And some people can't see spending that much on a damned door.

 

[shedfullatools]

Jeslus Around here you get a steel clad door with a nice light kit and vinyl clad casement made how you want and shipped locally for $300-$600 depending on which light kit and size. Almost everyone locally hates to pay that for a door I couldn't even begin to imagine paying anything over $1000 for a door unless it was going on my private castle Hell thinking about it even nice garden style steel entry doors with a side light are only up around $500-$600 depending once again on size and what style light kits.

 

[DieselNut88]

That is crazy money for a door. I can get a prefinished steel, prehung with double sidelites for $1,700 at Menards. I would not pay that much for a door.

 

[yeldogt]

And some people can't see spending that much on a damned door.

That's why I said .. it depends on what you want. Obviously afford.

HD and Lowes have the power to get manufacturers to make things for them based on the specifications they want .. and most important .. the cost. It's a race to the bottom. They don't sell value.

Steel doors w/ panel inserts are not a great front door look IMO -- but the have become the norm in some parts because they are very profitable for the vendor and builder. That was the benefit of the fiberglass when they first came out -- not having the look of steel and because they were molded they also did not have the tacked on look the steel. Now they build a slab like the steel and tack on the same insert.

I used Stanley steel doors years ago in my rentals -- no glass. A reasonable alternative to a common wood door. When you compare the quality of those doors to what's available today -- the old are so much better. They were up against quality wood doors -- and had to look better.

HD sells a line of fiberglass for around 1k -- they look OK from 10 feet ... but they are not a great looking door.

 

[77Birdman]

Doesn't sound too much out of line. As long as your dimensions that you provide are correct there is nothing wrong with hd or lowes. Dont use wood for any reason though. Too many good choices out there now in steel and fiberglass. Just like about anything, price depends on what 'frills' you want. I just did a set of double doors custom made from mahogany, and the doors and hardware were north of $25k material cost!

 

[Hivolts]

Doing the same right now too. 2 Entry doors, Fiberglass 36'' by 80'', both with half mini blind inside the glass.
Cost is $600 each. $400 ea to install

Both $2K total.

 

[Bretny]

I have had a fiberglass with foam core door from HD in my house for about 8 yrs. Its at the main entrance and cost about $250 new. The lower seal and adjustable threshold went about year 2. The thing is also bowed away from the door handle by about 1/4in...away from the seals. I wouldnt buy one again. Mabe metal next time.

Personaly i would shy away from side windows, in door half windows and french doors. Just for the security aspect alone. I like a small frosted window up high.

 

[CJ7VFR]

How about just replacing the existing exterior doors with door slabs?

If the door jambs, inside and outside trim, and thresholds are in good shape, another option is wooden door slabs that you can replace the existing doors with. They cost much less than pre-hung doors, you don't have to rip out and replace, prime and paint any trim on the inside and outside, and you can get the slabs with or without windows to fit your need.

I went with the door slab because I didn't want to rip out all the trim inside and out, install a pre-hung door, re-trim it inside and out, caulk everything, prime everything and paint every thing.

The door jamb, all the trim and the threshold were all in great condition, so we bought a solid wood door slab with 6 small windows at the top and two large raised panel sections on the bottom at Home Depot. The door slab was $189.00, and since I had replaced the door hardware a year before that, I could re-use it and help keep the cost down.

It came out nice, lets in a lot of light which makes the wife happy.

Here are a few pictures of the old and new door. I don't know if this is an option for the OP, but it may be worth a look and see if it is.

Jim

 

[climb.on]

When we built our new house, I was pretty shocked too. Don't get the fancy glass. That is a HUGE markup. We ended up with a Therma-Tru with 2 sidelights, plain clear glass. It was about $3000. We haven't lived in the house long, but so far I'm happy with it. It looks good and is pretty solid. Not the best (not even close), but better than most.

 

[Tinkerman66]

That's why I said .. it depends on what you want. Obviously afford.

I guess I fall into the catagory that could easily afford to spend that much on a door, just have better things to spend it on than a swinging entry device.

 

[rburke65]

I priced an Andersen slider at HD.....$2,600. Same ...identical door at local lumber/ home improvement store....$2020. That’s $580 savings. One would think HD to be less but....

 

[yeldogt]

I guess I fall into the catagory that could easily afford to spend that much on a door, just have better things to spend it on than a swinging entry device.

Again -- it depends on what you are doing. The OP was shocked at the price --$5500 ... I get it .... a lot of money. That's why there are 250k houses and 950k houses.

I don't know what the OP is fixing .. but, nice doors are expensive. It's also an item that's immediately noticed and has a high return on investment when reselling.

 

[nes999]

If you are a little flexible check out Craigslist and other used sites. I got all the windows for garage new in packaging for next to nothing. I see doors frequently.

Sent from my VS988 using Tapatalk

 

[yeldogt]

I priced an Andersen slider at HD.....$2,600. Same ...identical door at local lumber/ home improvement store....$2020. That’s $580 savings. One would think HD to be less but....

My local lumber yard is an Andersen dealer and the prices are better as well -- and they deliver. HD was able to undercut them when they did the big truck sales -- but I still bought from them when I did my beach place. They sell a better line of almost everything -- my local plumbing house can get me anything I want at very competitive prices.

 

[polizei1]

I guess it's all relative, but I don't see the point in going cheap with doors/windows, it NEVER lasts. Cheap doors and windows leak, break down faster, and don't have as high-grade glass. All this ends up costing you more money in the long run...and higher utility bills from the start.

My whole house was $21k for 21 Andersen 400 Series windows, an 8' 400 Series glider, and a Double arch mahogany door. It's really not THAT expensive when you break it down, you just have to know what products are worth investing in. I'm also going to ASSUME you guys talking about putting up a $200 steel door don't have a $400k+ home...it makes a BIG difference to a lot of people.

Then again, some people spend $200k on farm equipment, so again...it's all relative!

 

[Zeke]

Doing the same right now too. 2 Entry doors, Fiberglass 36'' by 80'', both with half mini blind inside the glass.
Cost is $600 each. $400 ea to install

Both $2K total.

That's more in line. I have installed 100's of doors.

 

[Vintage Veloce]

Nice doors are expensive.
All I'll say is this: Don't buy Andersen. We have had a $5k defective door delivered and getting the warranty honored was a nightmare. They did eventually replace the door, but that one has warped and I can't bear the thought of going through another replacement, and I'd have to pay to have the replacement refinished too.
If you want details, PM me.

 

[polizei1]

Nice doors are expensive.
All I'll say is this: Don't buy Andersen. We have had a $5k defective door delivered and getting the warranty honored was a nightmare. They did eventually replace the door, but that one has warped and I can't bear the thought of going through another replacement, and I'd have to pay to have the replacement refinished too.
If you want details, PM me.

You shouldn't have to deal with them, it should be your installer. Andersen makes a great product.

 

[yeldogt]

Nice doors are expensive.
All I'll say is this: Don't buy Andersen. We have had a $5k defective door delivered and getting the warranty honored was a nightmare. They did eventually replace the door, but that one has warped and I can't bear the thought of going through another replacement, and I'd have to pay to have the replacement refinished too.
If you want details, PM me.

I had a problems with my Andersen Frenchwood doors - Sandtone exterior/ wood interiors. The doors are clad with what looks like vinyl formica -- sealed with caulk at the glass area. They are not "wrapped" as with the casement window sash. The caulk fails (like it always does) and water gets behind the cladding -- delaminates. Had three sets of 4 panel sliders -- every panel had the problem < 10 years and with time the two single swinging doors as well. The long warranty is only for the glass ... they eventually replaced them all .. but, it happened again on the sliders because they face the water. Andersen sold me the panels for $300 each -- $3600 for 12 panels last summer ... The original doors were installed in 98. The front door is a clad Pella -- never touched ... it was> 2x the cost of the Andersen.

They changed the design -- we will see how these hold up. Obviously, never used them on another project

 

[Vintage Veloce]

You shouldn't have to deal with them, it should be your installer. Andersen makes a great product.

Nope. Installer doesn't fix defective doors. Andersen's tried to pass the problem to the lumber yard that sold me the door too, but the lumber yard can't help with a defective door either. Eventually, with a video I posted to YouTube, Andersen's was convinced the door was defective and replaced it.
The problem is that Andersen's tries to push problems down to their distributors and installers, even when the door is defective. And then they took 8 weeks to fabricate a replacement! They won't even expedite a warranty replacement.

 

[polizei1]

Yea, you still shouldn't have had to deal with it. If we ever had issues with a product (never defective though), we would contact the lumber yard and they would deal directly with Andersen for a replacement. Often times, Andersen would pay us to fix the issue, instead of fixing it themselves. Unfortunately, sounds like you're lumber yard and installer didn't want to deal with it and passed it along to you. That *****!

 

[Terracar]

I have to agree with the OP. Anymore than $2k for a front door and it is a waste IMO. There is quality in that price range, anything more and it is a waste. Yes, I will agree cheap doors will need to be replaced in a quicker amount of time. I replaced our front door with a pre-hung cheapie from the local box store. The solid wood door that was on it had zero maintenance from the previous owner and even after some attempts to save the door, it was splitting/cracking to the point where you could see daylight through it.

Wife wants me to reconfigure the stairs that are at the entry way, so I went cheap since we will be changing it out soon. I am a strong believer that installation is a big factor in how long something will function properly, even when cheap. My door has lasted 3 years so far and seals as well as day 1... minus the seal on the bottom. Though with 2 little ones, I am glad I have the cheap door as it has taken one hell of a beating from them.


I know many of you will mention security. My house almost has more glass than wall. If I have a great security door, they will just smash the glass. Granted, it is probably cheaper to fix the window than a door/jamb. Even then, unless you have the frame reinforced with proper upgraded hardware and additional items in place, that $5k door will be kicked in just as easy, if not easier than the cheap one.

My whole house was $21k for 21 Andersen 400 Series windows, an 8' 400 Series glider, and a Double arch mahogany door. It's really not THAT expensive when you break it down, you just have to know what products are worth investing in. I'm also going to ASSUME you guys talking about putting up a $200 steel door don't have a $400k+ home...it makes a BIG difference to a lot of people.

Damn, that is a good deal. I was quoted $43k for 10 windows and 2 sliders from Anderson. Granted my smallest window is 6ft.

 

[polizei1]

Damn, that is a good deal. I was quoted $43k for 10 windows and 2 sliders from Anderson. Granted my smallest window is 6ft.

I didn't have any labor, so that's just material cost. $43k for 10 windows and 2 sliders sounds absurd without knowing the sizes and types. The only thing we see that high are Marvin's.

 

[CarBikeGuy70]

Good doors are very expensive. Try to find the Masonite line in your area. I just completed a full reno on a 1974 era saltbox style house. I used wood core doors with fiberglasss skin wood grain texture from Masonite. Yes 3000.00 for the entry door but a great product. STAY AWAY FROM HD!!!!! I didn't on my last entry door purchase- and have been disappointed at what 1K gets you over the long haul. Just not a good investment. Masonite works thru their distributors on a regional level. They were recommended to me by a local window, door and millwork supplier in my area.

 

[polizei1]

Good doors are very expensive. Try to find the Masonite line in your area. I just completed a full reno on a 1974 era saltbox style house. I used wood core doors with fiberglasss skin wood grain texture from Masonite. Yes 3000.00 for the entry door but a great product. STAY AWAY FROM HD!!!!! I didn't on my last entry door purchase- and have been disappointed at what 1K gets you over the long haul. Just not a good investment. Masonite works thru their distributors on a regional level. They were recommended to me by a local window, door and millwork supplier in my area.

All my interior doors are Masonite, haven't used them on an entry door though! Good quality.

 

[lakelandcat]

It really depends on how you play the game and if you know the rules. I bought a French door with the blinds between the window panes from Lowes that was a special order return. Stores will write them off and sell them for what they can get because its not in inventory. My door is a Pella, cost $1187 new, went clearance and they marked it down to $687. I called them on it and they said make us a offer. I paid $68.70 My whole build is from deals like that.

 

[climb.on]

If you have the time, CL, outlet stores, etc are a great way to go.

I don't like blanket statements like Anderson in great or Anderson *****.

I did Anderson Windows 100 series, picture and casements. They are great. Very affordable too. Their 100 series double hung and sliders are really sloppy. Their 400 series sliding patio doors aren't too impressive either. Their 400 series French doors are great. I have had them all. I had a good experience getting the from Home Depot and my lumberyard couldn't or wouldn't match them.

 

[climb.on]

Oh and Anderdon 100 series picture windows are the deal of the century. 8'x6' picture was under $700! Biggest single piece of glass you can get from them.

 

[driftpin]

CGI and PGT, if you are in a HVHZ (high-velocity hurricane zone). Awhile ago, PGT bought CGI. We used the CGI windows and doors, aluminum, good quality, they cut-down on sound, too.

One of the best features is that security rods pin the door closed on the latch side, at the top and bottom, besides at the latch, pretty-secure!

https://www.pgtwindows.com/

http://cgiwindows.com/

Another product with-which I'm impressed in use is nanawall. We used them to replace the original 18 linear feet of sliding patio doors onto the pool deck. We had looked-at another manufacturer of stacking doors, http://www.lacantinadoors.com/products/sliding-doors
but after comparing the aluminum extrusions of both, I thought the nanawall was a better product than lacantina.

If people are complaining about $600 entry doors, save yourself the agita and don't bother looking at the cost of replacing an 18 foot run of old-fashioned sliding-glass doors, with a modern product like nanawall or lacantina.

 

[Miss the Pontiacs]

I bought a Jeldwen door from HD it was on a 25% off sale. It has better quality stained glass window. It also has a crank out on one side and a solid side light on the other. It has the raised grain Fibreglass texture. My mistake is I should have had it factory stained. I have spent hours restaining and working on what I thought was a maintenance free door.
I used Watco stain with a marine grade top coat for additional protection. It looked great and I had lots of compliments. Within 2 years it started to peel. It probably doesn’t help that it faces south and does take a pounding.
In the end I should have bought steel and either had it factory painted or done by an autobody shop.

 

[manwithtools]

Good doors are very expensive. Try to find the Masonite line in your area. I just completed a full reno on a 1974 era saltbox style house. I used wood core doors with fiberglasss skin wood grain texture from Masonite. Yes 3000.00 for the entry door but a great product. STAY AWAY FROM HD!!!!! I didn't on my last entry door purchase- and have been disappointed at what 1K gets you over the long haul. Just not a good investment. Masonite works thru their distributors on a regional level. They were recommended to me by a local window, door and millwork supplier in my area.

I agree on the Masonite doors. Fiberglass clad wood - two 36" entry doors with dual side lights - $4k total. I bought mine at HD however, great, easy transaction with a better price than the local guys. I did the install.

 

[yeldogt]

Oh and Anderdon 100 series picture windows are the deal of the century. 8'x6' picture was under $700! Biggest single piece of glass you can get from them.

If you can make the pictures work it's not a bad line -- but they are not as nice looking as the 400's. They also don't make double hung. Used them in one of my rentals -- would not again. The 400's are a better value IMO -- much better looking inside.

 

[yeldogt]

I bought a Jeldwen door from HD it was on a 25% off sale. It has better quality stained glass window. It also has a crank out on one side and a solid side light on the other. It has the raised grain Fibreglass texture. My mistake is I should have had it factory stained. I have spent hours restaining and working on what I thought was a maintenance free door.
I used Watco stain with a marine grade top coat for additional protection. It looked great and I had lots of compliments. Within 2 years it started to peel. It probably doesn’t help that it faces south and does take a pounding.
In the end I should have bought steel and either had it factory painted or done by an autobody shop.

The solid color fiberglass are the only way to go if you want a stained look door --- fiberglass paints well .. so they make a great door at the beach. No rust as with steel.