The exterior doors market is a huge industry. During the last couple of years, the replacement and repair of exterior doors was valued at more than a billion. There is also a projected growth in external door demand for the next five years, making it an even more lucrative field to be involved in. Exterior doors are an integral part of the look and appeal of any building. They come in all shapes, sizes, and colors and are made from a number of materials such as glass, wood, steel, and PVC.
Exterior doors come in a number of different styles. Doors can be hinged for inward or outward opening as well as sliding. Sliding doors are mainly used for bi-folding or sectional doors which are very large doors which fold away against the building to make room for outdoor entertaining areas. They have become very popular in recent years with more than 25 million vertical sliding glass exterior doors installed in the United States during the last year alone.
The exterior doors market is made up of a number of different subspecialties such as garage doors, patio doors, bi-folding doors, and storm doors. These sub-specialties are likely to have their own different markets because the variety of door types available on the market is vast. The exterior doors market is forecast to grow through 2021. As the population of the United States continues to grow, so will the demand for new homes. Consequently, despite an uncertain economic climate, demand for exterior doors is expected to increase during the next five years.
An exterior door is the first thing to greet you when you step foot inside your home. And it’s what greets you as you traverse the threshold from your house to the outside world. So, it needs to be not just functional in protecting against intruders, but also welcoming and inviting for those who come and go. It also needs to perform its job of propping open or shutting firmly without any effort on your part with a good-quality door closer system.
When shopping for new exterior doors we recommend you look for a few key features-such as a weather resistant wood, energy efficient glass and sturdy hardware. When considering wood species for exterior doors, remember that redwood, cedar and cypress can tolerate the harsh elements of the Pacific Northwest's coastal climate.
New technologies in glass have led to an abundance of new options when selecting your home’s entry door. Triple pane glass is great at insulating and reducing noise and is now the standard in many door systems. Glass thickness has increased to between 1/4” and 3/8" which allows for more insulation per sq ft. Fiberglass doors have become a popular option as well. Fiberglass is more durable than wood, resists moisture, can be stained to match your home and is cost effective. Additionally fiberglass doors are nonporous and do not attract termites or rot.
There are many different styles of exterior door hardware, but some of the most popular include: Unlacquered brass, Polished brass, Polished bronze or Antique iron. All these hardware types are very resistant to rust. There are also many other finishes such as oil rubbed bronze or stainless steel that come in a variety of styles. All door hardware styles require routine maintenance to preserve their finish such as cleaning with mineral spirits or soap and water.
The number of construction starts each year will be more than the number of starts in the previous year. As a result, housing demand is forecast to increase during the next five years, resulting in an increase in total sales volumes of exterior doors for new homes. Commercial construction is another market that will fuel demand for exterior doors during the forecast period. The U.S. economy is expected to continue its slow recovery as businesses and consumers continue to spend on commercial construction projects that can be used to attract and retain customers.
