If you're a small business owner in these tough economical times, you'll need to do whatever you can to attract customers, and one way you can do so is to to upgrade exterior doors. Since front doors are what customers will see first, giving the front of your store or business office a facelift might help to increase traffic to your building. New exterior front doors might equal new clients.

Pricing and costs of exterior doors will vary depending on size and what type of material the door is made from. You'll also notice a difference in cost between commerical exterior doors or industrial entry doors and non-commercial outside doors. So no matter if you run a business from home, have an office in a commercial building or own a store, if you're in the market for new exterior doors, here are some things to consider about pricing and costs:

1. Choose between residential and commercial exterior doors.

2. Decide what type of material you want or need your exterior doors to be made of.

3. Figure in the cost of hardware such as knobs and locks for your exterior doors.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Improve the face of your office building or home office with new exterior doors

Whether you're in a commerical office building or a small home office, front entry doors are most likely where your customers and clients will be entering. And though that old saying 'You can't judge a book by its cover' may be true, most people do just that, and if your front exterior door needs to make a good first impression, replacing it may be just what your business needs to draw in a new crowd.

I recommend: Choose from single- and two-panel commercial front entry doors in a variety of colors, glass styles and sizes in an approximate range of $1,500 to $3,000 from Andersen Windows and Doors. ETO Doors has a wide selection of double and single doors, in your choice of decorative glass and side lites, most at under $2,000.

Pay more or less depending on what your exterior doors are made of

From simple, plain wood doors to elaborate, decorative steel or iron doors, you'll see a vast different in cost. Be prepared to pay far more for, say, mahogany doors with decorative glass than you would for solid fiberglass doors. Decide how much of a statement you want to make and how much you have to spend before choosing what type of material you want your external doors to be made from.

I recommend: Save thousands of dollars per door by paying contractor's prices on a wide variety of stainless steel doors at Milano Doors. Select from a wide inventory of plain or decorative wood exterior doors and pay anywhere from $200 up to $5,000 and more at Nick's Building Supply. Spend as little as $50 and as much as $800 on Lowe's huge selection of exterior front entry doors made of steel, wood or fiberglass. Builder's Door Outlet has a selection of fiberglass doors for under $500.

Finish off your exterior doors with the right hardware

Once your exterior doors are hung, you need to open them, close them and lock them. Items such as knobs, hinges, and locks can cost extra, and you'll need to factor this cost into your budget when shopping for external entry doors. Having the right hardware can make your doors, and your business, really stand out.

I recommend: Buy decorative door pulls, door knockers and hinges, for less than $20 or more than $100, at Bellacor. Spend under $80 and as much as a few hundred dollars on knobs, levers and locks for your exterior doors at Knobs and Hardware. Choose from a varied selection of knobs and levers for commerical exterior doors, between $20 and $60, at Home Hardware Plus.com.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Factor in the cost of exterior door installation when preparing your budget. Installation charges can run from a few hundred to over a thousand dollars.

Let's face it, exterior entry doors are simple facts of life-something every business must have to give occupants privacy and security by regulating access.  But choosing exterior doors is not so simple: Exterior door configurations run from fittings, latches and locks to color, design and the materials that comprise the door. All of these many components are there for a reason - they work together to accomplish such functions as ensuring privacy, securing environments, controlling the physical atmosphere and creating a statement.

Let's not take for granted the fact that exterior entry doors are also the first impression provided to customers and visitors of a business. The role of exterior doors certainly goes beyond just functional, providing an important aesthetic impression of what lies beyond. From formal and elegant to casual and whimsical, the style of custom exterior doors helps set the tone and character of a business.
 Inside this guide, you'll find:

1. Advice on choosing the best exterior doors for low maintenance and weathering the elements.
2. Information on how some exterior entry doors save energy while others can increase overall cost.
3. Tips on choosing an exterior door that best meet your businesses safety and security needs.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Choose strong materials for exterior entry doors

Exterior doors are created from many materials-wood, fiberglass, steel, and glass to name a few. Although exterior wood doors offer classic, attractive appearances, the cost of maintenance will be higher than some other materials. In addition, your local climate may impact wood materials. Beware that glass exterior doors can also be easily broken.

I recommend: Fiberglass exterior doors don't crack, split, or dent and they are often guaranteed against it. Businesses can choose between stainable fiberglass, which gives you the look of a wood door or paintable fiberglass. Steel exterior doors are also a good option for durability. I recommend companies like Masonite, Pella and Dawson Doors that are highly regarded for their fiberglass and steel framed doors. These brands can also be found at companies like Lowes and Home Depot. Business.com offers a list of vendors specializing in fiberglass and other commercial doors.

Ensure your exterior door is appropriate to the security risks in your business

A number of considerations come into play when choosing the most secure exterior door including its material makeup as well as the handle and lock systems that accompany it.

I recommend: Steel exterior doors are by far the most secure. They deter thieves and they also provide a fire barrier. Consider double-strength and impact-resistant glass exterior doors if glass looks are your fancy-especially if vandalism or natural disasters are a concern for your business. The American Society for Testing & Materials (ASTM) has set forth standards that must be met before glass is certified as impact-resistant. The Hallmark Certification Program also identifies products that have been manufactured in accordance with preset performance standards by the Window and Door Manufacturers Association. A wide array of vendors of access control systems can be found on Business.com.

Choose exterior doors that are energy efficient

Modern exterior doors often fit and insulate better than old ones, but business owners should be aware of the effect that any new exterior entry door can have on energy costs. For example, glass exterior doors offer energy efficiencies by allowing businesses to take advantage of natural lighting. However, glass doors can also decrease energy efficiencies if not properly manufactured to deflect heat and cold.

I recommend: The best exterior doors for saving energy costs will have an appropriate government-backed ENERGY STAR rating. Many new technologies are available on the market and are backed by the ENERGY STAR program. These technologies are designed to keep businesses cooler in the summer and warmer in the winter.

Make a statement by choosing exterior entry doors that complement your business strategy

The possibilities are endless - be creative. Choose exterior doors that best fit the overall character and mission of your business. If you are a toy store, choose a door that is whimsical and playful in nature. Retailers will want to purchase glass exterior doors that allow those passing by to get a sneak peak at products. Alternatively, an accounting firm might want to seek out custom exterior doors that give an air of sophistication.

I recommend: Many companies specialize in a specific type of door while some can offer suggestions from a wide range of angles from exterior wood doors and exterior glass doors to exterior steel doors and custom retail aluminum and steel storefronts as well.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Look for more than just eye appeal when choosing exterior entry doors. Make a note of potential security concerns as well as maintenance considerations.
• •  Use exterior doors to your marketing advantage. Consult with the experts to choose exterior door looks that complement the overall strategy of your business.
• •  Consider that you want higher-priced custom exterior doors to last. Choose materials that are appropriate to your climate and environment as well as styles that are not too trendy.

Installing the right exterior doors into a home you've just constructed can, in some cases, add over $20,000 in value to that home. Exterior front doors are among the first things potential buyers see when looking at homes; a March 2008 Real Estate Agent Community Trends (REACT) survey shows that nearly 90% of agents state the appearance of a front entry helps them sell homes, and two-thirds say the overall appearance of exterior doors and windows is important.

Today, external doors come in a variety of styles and materials. Doors made of wood, steel or fiberglass, with glass panels or without, or with stained glass windows or other decorative touches, are now widely available. You can also find commercial exterior doors, industrial entry doors or even custom exterior doors for sale through most retailers.

If you're building homes and want to attract buyers, rely on the following resources to stay abreast of exterior doors news and trends:

1. Find out what's new, and what's old news, with exterior doors;

2. Go for the "wow" factor with custom front entry doors;

3. Make the right connections to stay ahead of exterior doors news and trends.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Stay up-to-date on the latest in outside doors

From the growing trend toward textured fiberglass entry doors because of their affordability and energy efficiency, to wider front doors for easier access, exterior doors news and trends are ever-changing. If you're building homes, keep up with these trends so you can offer the latest in exterior doors.

I recommend: Read about the most recent trends, benefits, downsides and opinions on wood, steel and fiberglass exterior doors, as well as other product elements such as decorative glass and thermal efficiency, at Architectural Record. Consult “First Impressions: Trends in entry doors,” from BUILDERnews magazine, to find out what’s hot--and what’s not--in exterior doors. You’ll discover, for example, why doors resistant to extreme weather conditions and nickel exterior door hardware are in, and why brass door hardware and steel exterior doors are waning in popularity.

Go for the 'wow' factor with custom front entry doors

You can impress potential buyers by offering things other newly-constructed houses won't offer, and a great place to start would be with custom doors. Equipping your homes with a custom exterior door can set them apart, add value and increase the likelihood of a sale.

I recommend: Check out Ebuild’s impressive collection of articles about exterior doors news and trends, including custom wood doors, outside doors with handmade art panels and made-to-order glass and wrought iron exterior doors. ReliableRemodeler.com explains how custom exterior doors can increase home value, and why builders should invest in high quality, eye-catching entry doors to attract buyers. Visit Custom Builder to stay current on the newest trends and latest news in custom-built exterior doors.

Make the right connections to stay ahead of exterior doors news and trends

One of the best ways to be on the cutting edge when it comes to outside doors is to surround yourself with key industry players, including manufacturers of exterior doors and outside door vendors, that have an active role in shaping exterior doors news and trends.

I recommend: Join the Window & Door Manufacturers Association (WDMA) to take part in setting, rather than simply following, exterior doors news and trends, and to make valuable business contacts. To see innovative exterior doors and connect with industry professionals in the flesh, attend the National Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) International Builders’ Show. Membership in the NAHB will also plug you into a network of professionals and other valuable resources that can keep you abreast of emerging outside door trends.

Tips & Tactics

Helpful advice for making the most of this Guide

• •  Note the types of hardware being used on the most popular styles of exterior doors. Adding the right handles, knobs, locks and hinges will accentuate outside doors.
• •  Keep the environment and your customers' energy expenses in mind when selecting exterior doors for your homes. Many major manufacturers of exterior doors, as well as smaller companies that provide custom front doors, now offer energy-efficient doors that are constructed using eco-friendly processes and materials.

Exterior doors have a lot of variety. They can be made of wood, wood composite, steel, fiberglass and more. They can be solid or have glass panels and windows. Understanding the vocabulary will help you decide what exterior doors will work best for your company or home. Learn these key words so that you will be able to make an educated decision.

Action Steps
The best contacts and resources to help you get it done

Exterior doors with raised panels or profiles

Exterior doors with raised panels or profiles are perhaps the simplest design because they are without glass. These doors are often made of wood, and can be stained or unstained, depending on preference. The panel design can vary, from a simple two panel door to an eight panel door.

I recommend: Iroko Doors has an explanation of how to make the profiles on an exterior door.

Fiberglass-Composite exterior doors

Exterior doors are increasingly made with materials other than wood. Fiberglass-composite exterior doors can be less expensive than solid wood doors. They are also long lasting and relatively maintenance free.

I recommend: Don Vandervort's Home Tips has more information on fiberglass-composite exterior doors.

Sidelites and transoms

Sidelites and transoms refer to the glass panels that are either above or on either side of an exterior door. The transom has three traditional shapes associated with it: an arch or sunburst, a box and an ellipse. The sidelites are generally plain and range in length.

I recommend: Lowes has more information and illustrations pertaining to sidelites and transoms.

French doors

French doors are doors in which glass panels, rather than wood or any other material, make up most of the door. The glass can be in any configuration and can even have strips of lead between the individual pieces of glass. They can be hinged or sliding.

I recommend: FrenchDoors.net has more information about French doors, their origin and uses.

Dutch door or Dutch split door

A Dutch door is made of a top and bottom portion that can open independently from each other.

I recommend: Fine Finish and Home Improvement Love to Know offer information about Dutch doors.

Steel doors

Steel exterior doors can be plain, raised panel doors or made with a glass panel in the center. These doors, especially those with the simpler designs, can be cheaper than wood doors. Most steel doors come with fire ratings. All feature resistance to corrosion and low maintenance.

I recommend: Jeld-Wen has some helpful information about steel doors and fire ratings.