Anyone "in the know" on entry doors too ??

[taperk600]

Well, decided on our windows (Simonton Prism Platinum with etc Super Solar glass, super spacer, & couple other extras) with the help from here.... much appreciation to all !!

Now it's on to the entry doors..... any helpful advise or ideas of where to look for it ??

Fiberglass wood grain is the way we are looking to go .... Therma Tru ? Green Tree ? Jeld Wen ?

[Skydawggy]

Provia if you want the best.

[TheWindowNerd]

I like Therma Tru. You can finish it your self and save money or get it prefinished paint or stain.
Soft-lite dealers are one source to get it prefinished. Some pro's have their own paint shops/services.
If the unit does not have a good porch cover then order a rot proof or composite jamb.

[renew1]

if you want a very good quality door you would go with either provia or HMI .

[buddy110]

if you want a very good quality door you would go with either provia or HMI .

HMI hands down. Better reinforcment, better QC and a small businessman to boot!

[Delaware Mike]

Buddy, I wasn't aware that HMI's door was that nice? What does it have over ProVia??????

[Windows on Washington]

They do some more custom stuff given that they are a smaller shop. My installers are split down the middle on who they prefer.

[buddy110]

Buddy, I wasn't aware that HMI's door was that nice? What does it have over ProVia??????

Stronger reinforcement in the door particularly around the locks and hinges.

[renew1]

another company i worked for uses/uses provia and hmi. Hmi has the "ultraFrame" which is a steel reinforcement that is the best security feature i have ever seen in a residential door.

[taperk600]

thanks guys.......guess it's off to do a search for HMI & ProVia......AND it begins again


next will be the siding.....so any advise here ??????????????

[DerbyDad03]

I like Therma Tru. You can finish it your self and save money or get it prefinished paint or stain.

I am looking at Therma Tru doors and this is what I was told by one dealer...

He said:

Staining the Therma Tru doors is not a DIY project. He said that because the fiberglass does not absorb the stain like wood does, the process and techniques are very different. He went as far as to say that they have 2 workers in their shop that stain the doors. Each worker has his own sample board of the shades available from the manufacturer and these boards do not match. The customer is shown both boards and based on the shade chosen, one or the other worker gets that job.

I should point out that this salesman is a friend of mine and knows my DIY abilities based on working together on a few community projects. (I mean that in a good way!) He knows I installed my own windows and he knows I'm planning on installing the door myself. I don't think he is trying to "sell me" on the staining because he said that if I want to save some money, I should buy the Smooth Star door and paint it myself as opposed to paying his store to stain it. He strongly recommends that I do not stain it on my own.

On the other hand, Therma Tru sells their kits on their website, so is it really that hard for the DIYer to do?

http://www.thermatru.com/products/entry ... index.aspx

I’m confused!

[Bill]

For pre-finished units Provia is the way to go; their pre-hanging shop turns out a nice product and they have pre-finishing down to a science. The door is packaged extremely well to protect the finish.

All of the Therma-Tru we sell is unfinished and I have seen nice results with people staining the door themselves with the stain kit. The stain kit provides everything you need right down to a plastic glove with instructions included

[buddy110]

TT doors don't match up to either Provia or HMI, IMO

[DerbyDad03]

TT doors don't match up to either Provia or HMI, IMO

How do they match up pricewise?

I know you should expect to pay more for a better product, but (for example) are Provia or HMI twice as good at twice the cost or twice as good at only 50% higher cost?

[buddy110]

I'm not sure on price.