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Door measurement & spec
We measure the rough opening, evaluate the existing frame, and discuss what you actually use the door for — back door utility versus front door curb appeal call for different specs.
Fiberglass and composite entry doors built to outlast paint cycles and Minnesota winters. ThermaTru and Bayer Built lines, custom sidelights, and maintenance-free trim that won't rot.
The front door takes more abuse than almost any element of the exterior — sun on the south side, ice and salt at the threshold, the constant cycling of an active household. A poorly-specified door starts looking tired within five years and needs replacement before fifteen. A well-specified one lasts the home.
We install fiberglass, composite, steel, and wood entry doors — the right material depends on the home, the exposure, and the budget. Fiberglass holds finish well, doesn't dent like older steel, and insulates well — ThermaTru fiberglass with maintenance-free brickmould is one of our common specs. Steel doors remain a solid choice for security-focused applications and rear or service entries. For homes that need a specific historical match, Bayer Built offers configurations stock fiberglass can't replicate.
Every project quote is itemized. Here's what tends to be in scope on a typical project.
We measure the rough opening, evaluate the existing frame, and discuss what you actually use the door for — back door utility versus front door curb appeal call for different specs.
The threshold and lower frame take the most abuse. We check for rot, water infiltration, and prior repair work. Any structural fix is quoted before order placement.
We pull the old door and frame, weather-cover the opening while the new unit goes in. Minimal time with the home open to weather.
Frame plumbed, leveled, and properly anchored. Threshold sealed against water. Hinges shimmed to keep the door from sagging over time.
Where the existing trim is wood, we replace with composite brickmould or wrap with maintenance-free trim. No more annual repainting at the threshold.
Locks, deadbolts, and weatherstripping installed and adjusted. We confirm the door closes flush against all seals before we leave.
For most Otsego homes, fiberglass — it insulates well, doesn't dent like older steel, doesn't rot or warp like wood, and modern finishes hold up to UV for 15+ years. Composite is similar with slightly better insulation at a higher price point. Steel still makes sense for back doors, service entries, and security-focused applications where dent resistance matters less than rigidity. Solid wood is beautiful but requires real maintenance — refinishing every few years. We'll spec wood when the architecture justifies it; otherwise fiberglass.
Yes. We've worked on early-1900s homes in Waconia and St. Paul where keeping the original trim intact was the priority. Both ThermaTru and Bayer Built offer slab and sidelight configurations that match common historic profiles. For unusual situations, we can wrap composite trim to mimic the original detail.
Some, but it's not the biggest energy win in most homes — the door area is small relative to walls and windows. The real wins are comfort (no more cold air streaming under or around the door) and security (modern locking hardware is significantly better than 1990s and earlier). Energy savings on a new entry door are typically modest unless the old one had significant air leakage.
Most replacements are a same-day job — we typically arrive in the morning and finish before end of day, including trim and hardware. If structural frame repair is needed, it can extend to two days. Doors with custom sidelights, transoms, or non-standard configurations sometimes take an extra half-day.
A few details now and we can have a written estimate scheduled for next week. We respond to inquiries within one business day.
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