Your front door is a great way to increase curb appeal - but you want to choose a door that is tough enough to withstand the elements, but also compliments the home's architectural style.

Angie's List, the nation's leading provider of consumer reviews on local service companies including door installation and repair companies, asked its highly rated companies for the scoop on replacing doors.

If your door is more than 15 years old, chances are it's time to replace. Wood doors can show signs of wearing, fading, splitting and cracking. The surface on some metal doors may peel.

Materials:

• The front door is a great way to increase curb appeal, but don’t forget the back and interior doors.
• Three options when it comes to exterior doors – fiberglass, wood and steel. All three can be painted, but only fiberglass and wood can be stained. Fiberglass can have some size restrictions that will not allow you to use them in certain installations.
• New insulated fiberglass doors have very high U-values and are sealed much like a refrigerator door to dramatically reduce energy loss. More durable than wood and steel and require less maintenance.
• Durability is especially important for doors that aren’t shielded by a porch or overhang.
• Composite frames hold up better than wood and require less maintenance.
• Window installers tell us French doors have become more popular than sliding doors. This is due mostly to aesthetics, but French doors also offer more accessibility – you can open up both sides which makes moving furniture easier.

Price:

• Prices vary from $200 – several thousand depending on size, style and glass options. Wood is typically the most expensive.
• Hardware also adds to the price and can range from $100 - $500.

Hardware:

• Choose a high-performance deadbolt lock that is durable and secure.
• According to the experts we spoke to, the door frame itself has historically been the weak link in terms of security. Ask about steel reinforced frames and plates behind the jams.
• Multi-point locks with rods that go into the header and sill and strike plate reinforcement can provide extra security.

Energy savings:

• Every home is different, but, on average, you can reduce 80 percent to 90 percent of the energy loss by installing a new, energy efficient door.
• Virtually every door meets the minimum Energy Star requirements, but the amount of glass is the biggest determinant to how energy efficient the door is. It’s a trade off between energy efficiency and aesthetics. U-value for a door typically ranges from .15 (no glass) to .33 (full decorative glass).

Maintenance and installation:

• Most door installations can be done in one day or less.
• Hire a reputable installer. It’s critical that the door is hung and framed properly.
• Spring through summer and early fall is busy season for installers.