New front and back entry doors. HELP!!!!

[Jed Clampet]

I want a new steel entry door with a side light but can't find what I want.
I could use some help.
I want a "steel" craftsman/mission door style for my front entry door.
I've been to the big box stores and can't find what I want.
Any suggestions?

Menards has this mission door I designed on their website that I like a lot but they don't do the install.
They suggest a few local contractors to do the install but they won't back up the contractors work.
They also don't have one like I want on display.
So I have to buy the door sight unseen and pay a 25% restock fee if I decide I don't like it.
Most big box stores operate that way.

I'm trying to buy a quality product with a quality install.
Maybe I'm asking for too much, not sure.
If anyone can give guidance as to where to shop I would appreciate it.

This is the door I saw at Menards.
I like the dentil shelf but it looks a little big.
That could just be the picture, I have no way to know for sure.

This is the actual picture of what I designed.
I have seen a lot of bad reviews on the quality of Menard's doors which worries me.
I actually had two of their "suggested" local contractors stop by and give me a quote.
One quoted $2,700 for a front and rear door install and the other quoted $1,200 dollars.
Big difference , right?
Who to trust?
If they do shoddy work, Menard's like many other box stores that use sub-contractors won't guarantee the work.
I don't know these local contractors from a load of coal.
One seems fast and slick and the other seem slow and dumb.
I'm lost on what to do at this point.

 

[loganb]

The dentil shelves are all going to be similar size, they're a molded piece and just not a lot of difference between companies there

If you really want a steel door, be prepared for fewer options. The majority now are fiberglass skinned panels, steel panel options for most manufacturers are pretty limited and often are solid panel(no glass) options only for a side door or the garage to house door which often is a fire rated door.

 

[Jed Clampet]

Thanks for your reply.
I choose steel because that's what I have now and it lasted 30 years.
I don't really care if it's steel or not just as long as it is strong, secure and attractive.
Once i find that, I'm faced with finding a reputable installer.
So far, I basically nowhere and I have a 4-6 week deadline to get this done.

 

[loganb]

So lead time from manufacturers right now assuming it's not a stock size is likely 3-4 weeks from order to ready for pickup. The residential entry door market is primarily made up of Masonite and ThermaTru in that order of size and Masonite is far and away the biggest player. There are smaller outfits with regional presence, but those 2 are the bulk of the market when it comes to the panels/slabs. Much of what you're going to find is going to be a panel/slab from one of those outfits, then a frame that may be from them or may be from elsewhere or assembled locally from parts by others.

Finding an installer that will warranty their work can be a challenge and you may need to go to a window & door dealer for that who has a longer relationship with the installer and is comfortable covering labor warranty for 1-2 years. Labor is still in very tight supply in the new construction and remodeling space in most areas so you may not have as much choice in installers as you may like if the timeline is that short

 

[Bert_]

Menards carries a lot of cheap doors. Definitely not something I would choose to install. Maybe they can order better stuff. Steel doors are usually the low cost option

 

[csp]

Find a local company that specializes in windows/doors/siding sales and installs.

 

[Dig Doug]

Could you list what area / state at least, you are in?

I have a great door company and installers in San Diego, ca.

it will be expensive to go custom door, Install with trim /casement and paint all completed….

maybe google the door manufacturer on Menards quote.

try to
contact Custom home builders / designers/ commercial interior contractors in your area for door installation

Big Box stores are not the best for quality and what if you have an issue after the fact….


we did a whole home renovation w/ a designer and our Cranberry door system got replaced due to the paint finish.

get what you pay for cones to mind

 

[Dig Doug]

We bought a Lowe’s patio door for a vacation home - Special order thru a BIG name window door company - the process took months !

They hired an installer he came out to look and quote the job - we just paid the $$ …. he did a **** install - gap at the bottom, trim needed to be painted etc in out in 2.5 hrs charged $2200…. It was stupid !

he had every excuse and explanation - not his 1st rodeo ! Surprised he cleaned up his mess


we got ripped off!

Luckily for us they delivered 2 door systems instead just one! Kinda figured they would have called us or made an inquiry….

we just waited to see what happens


after a few months we contacted Lowe’s they said to keep it….

to much work to return it!

 

[Jed Clampet]

Could you list what area / state at least, you are in?

I have a great door company and installers in San Diego, ca.

it will be expensive to go custom door, Install with trim /casement and paint all completed….

maybe google the door manufacturer on Menards quote.

try to
contact Custom home builders / designers/ commercial interior contractors in your area for door installation

Big Box stores are not the best for quality and what if you have an issue after the fact….


we did a whole home renovation w/ a designer and our Cranberry door system got replaced due to the paint finish.

get what you pay for cones to mind

Thanks for your reply. I live in the Louisville Kentucky area.
Menards doors are Mastercraft. Mastercraft doors are made by Midwest manufacturing, a company owned by Menards Inc. Menards has its headquarters in Eau Claire, Wisconsin.

I'm considering on getting a quote from Westshore Homes. Some say they are the best and other says they are the worst. Reviews like that are hard to trust.

 

[Jed Clampet]

Any opinions about KOLBE Doors vs PROVIA Doors?