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Door (Entrance/Garage) Topics

Click on the column headlines below to read the entire unedited columns and view the related illustrations. Most of my columns that you read in your newspaper or magazine have been edited due to space constraints.

Homeowner Benefits? - These are the potential benefits that a typical homeowner will realize by following the tips or by installing the home-related products that are discussed in this column.

409 - Super-efficient decorative steel front doors look as good as wood
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 insulated steel front door manufacturers listing finishes, styles (flush, glass, panel, sidelights, transom and sidelights), illustrations showing styles, insulation, metal gauge, hardware, warranties, decorative glass options, and efficiency and security features.
Homeowner Benefits: Better appearance, greater security, less maintenance, lower utility bills

434 - Solid and insulated real wood front doors are beautiful, efficient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 highest-quality wood front entry doors, construction types (solid hardwood, composite molded wood fiber, engineered lumber, cross-banded wood construction, laminated wood core, insulated core), illustrations of styles available, decorative/efficiency/security features, glass types and finishing recommendations for solid or veneer wood doors.
Homeowner Benefits: Better appearance, greater security, less outdoor noise, lower utility bills

457 - New decorative screen/storm doors for saving, comfort, security
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the nine best, most secure screen/storm doors listing styles available, construction type and materials used, core/insulation levels, standard colors and hardware (locks, handles, hinges, etc.) available, unique features including type of glass used, prices and illustrations of many styles, guide to measuring for a storm door.
Homeowner Benefits: Protect primary door, greater security, ventilation, lower utility bills

552 - Pocket door kits save floor space, are easy to install
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of pocket door kits, maximum door weights, madimum door heights, door thicknesses, door widths, features; and a buyer's guide of selected, high-quality decorative wood interior doors, construction type (engineered wood, hardwood veneers, solid hardwood), wood species, door thickness, door width and height and features, illustrations throughout.
Homeowner Benefits: Save floor space, easy to install, attractive

616 - Build indoor or outdoor vestibule yourself
Update Bulletin Description - Do-it-yourself instructions for making an outdoor and an indoor vestibule/bookcase with diagrams, dimensions and a required materials list; suppliers of automatic thresholds, door bottoms and weatherstripping, chart of advantages and disadvantages of common types of door threshold seals, do-it-yourself door threshold installation instructions.
Homeowner Benefits: Reduced drafts in home, lower heating and air-conditioning bills

707 - Block sun and cold winds from patio doors
Update Bulletin Description - Do-it-yourself instructions, diagrams and required material lists for making several projects - a patio door sun/wind shield; insulated interior shutters for patio doors; a flowerbox window sun shield and a sun shade window enclosure.
Homeowner Benefits: Greater privacy, lower utility bills, less carpet/curtain fading

780 - Pet door kits are secure, easy to install, save money
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 10 automatic pet doors, features, pet opening areas (width x height), pet door materials, prices, door sizing/pet chart, illustrations of several different models, suggestions on what to look for in a sliding glass pet panel door, recommendations on installing a pet door in a screen and instructions for making a do-it-yourself insulated pet door.
Homeowner Benefits: Save time, fewer drafts, more freedom for your pet

813 - Retractable screen kits (doors/windows) are attractive, convenient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 12 add-on retractable door/window screening kit and special screening (heat/sun control, pet-resistant, etc.) manufacturers showing types, door sizes, colors, features, prices, and descriptive illustrations showing components of retractable screen kits, add-on porch and garage door screening kits.
Homeowner Benefits: add screening to door for ventilation, more durable screening, reduce heat in summer

827 - New garage openers are faster, quieter and safer
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of the 17 best, most quiet garage door openers showing horsepower of motor, drive-type design, standard and automatic controls, special safety features, unique design features, typical installation and regular maintenance instructions and a simple troubleshooting guide.
Homeowner Benefits: Quiet operation, greater safety around children

881 - Tight-sealing insulated garage doors are attractive, safe
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 11 highest-quality garage doors, method of insulation, insulation thickness, R-value, colors, glass options, seals, panel contours (flush, raised, ranch), section seals with illustration (shiplap, tongue and groove, compression type, polyurethane material), features and illustrations.
Homeowner Benefits: More attractive house appearance, warmer garage, glass windows

883 - Rolling window/patio door shutters for security, privacy, efficiency
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 14 rolling shutters showing material option, types of insulation used, colors available, width ranges for the slats offered, opening and closing options, types of automatic controls, representative prices and illustrations of many models and styles.
Homeowner Benefits: Increased security and privacy, lower utility bills, protection from storms

939 - New sliding and hinged glass patio doors are attractive, efficient
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 15 premium quality fiberglass, vinyl and wood sliding glass (standard sliding or French sliding) and hinged patio door manufacturers , heights, widths, glass options, hardware (locks, handles, hinges, etc.), frame colors, decorative and security features/options.
Homeowner Benefits: Greater security, less window condensation, lower utility bills

955 - Efficient stainable fiberglass doors look like real wood
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of eight wood look-alike fiberglass door manufacturers listing styles available (flush, glass, panels, sidelights, carved, round top, transom and sidelights), illustrations of styles, decorative glass options, design features, recommended staining/finishing instructions and typical instructions for installing an entrance door.
Homeowner Benefits:Better appearance, greater security, less maintenance, lower utility bills

967 - Convenient keyless door entry systems for security and efficiency
Update Bulletin Description - Buyer's guide of 10 electronic and mechanical keyless entry and deadbolt manufacturers (for entry and garage doors) listing models, design type, security and convenience features, installation instructions for an electronic model, and prices.
Homeowner Benefits: Lower electric bills, higher security, improved convenience