A common way to achieve the look of a home remodel without breaking the bank is by replacing interior and exterior doors. It adds a fresh look and can be accomplished fairly fast, keeping the project to both a budget and a tight time frame. That can be especially important when changing exterior doors, because you need your home to be secure and resistant to extreme weather.

Six common types of doors homeowners often choose to install include new front and back doors, interior doors for rooms and closets, French doors, sliding doors, pocket doors and bifold doors.

Front or back doors: Entry and exit doors are usually stronger and more weather-resistant than interior doors. Many have Energy Star ratings for draft prevention. Door installation of a front door may be as simple as taking your old door off the hinges and putting a new door in. But because a front door is also your first line of defense in protecting your home and getting a tight seal when the door is shut to prevent drafts and rain getting in the house, hiring a professional door installer is a good idea.

Angie's List member Diana Taggart turned to the Cincinnati door installers of AE Door Sales & Service Inc. to replace her front and back entry doors.

The installer "appeared to have a great deal of knowledge and experience installing the doors smoothly and efficiently," Taggart says of her professional installation.

Interior doors: Usually much lighter than exterior doors, these doors are mainly paneled doors. A room can be updated easily with a fresh, updated door at its entrance. These generally swing open the same way exterior doors do and require enough space to accommodate the motion of the door. Doors can be painted to achieve any desired look.

French doors: These double doors are often paneled with windows and open from the center. They are popular for exterior doors to backyards and sometimes used as interior doors.

Mike Lewis hired Charlotte door installers from Exterior Improvements to replace his French doors - a task he wouldn't trust anyone else to do.

"There is little doubt I could have had [an installer with a big box store] or some other contractor complete the work for less money, but when workmanship, integrity, work ethic and respect for my home and family come into the picture, Exterior Improvement is a bargain," Lewis says.

Sliding doors: These consist of two panels, one fixed, and one that slides into position behind the other panel to allow entry. Sliding doors let in the most amount of light, and are often installed near patios, decks, porches or other entrances to the outdoors.

Pocket door: A pocket door slides into the wall when it opens, requiring no space for the door to swing. Because the door disappears between the walls, they are recommended to be included in the room's initial construction or remodel. If considering installing a pocket door in an existing room, a professional door installer can ensure measurements and construction is done correctly the first time.

Bifold doors: These doors fold like an accordion. Often used for closets, laundry rooms and storage spaces, there are also exterior bifold doors with solid weatherproofing. They are great for mixing indoor and outdoor living.
If you want to replace a door in your house, consider letting Angie's List connect you with a highly rated door installer in your area. Angie’s List member Jennifer Breva hired Daystar Windows & Doors to replace her entry door and sidelights.

"No one else I contacted spent that much time with me choosing a door, and no one could beat them on price," she says of the highly rated Portland door installers. "We are very pleased with our new door and our home's increased curb appeal."