CASE STUDY · DOWNINGTOWN, PA · 2 DAYS
First Impressions Department: An Entry Door With Sidelites in Downingtown
JOB CARD
The before photo shows a door that had greeted three decades of Downingtown weather and lost the argument. The owners wanted light in the entry without giving up security or efficiency. A modern unit with sidelites answered all three, but the story of this project is in the middle photo: the naked opening, flashed and ready.
The two days explained
Day one is demolition and truth. Out came the old door, and at the sill we found the early rot that single pane doors with tired weatherstripping always feed. We cut it back to sound wood, rebuilt the sill area, and flashed the entire opening with ZIP tape in shingle fashion so any future water is directed out, not in. Day two the new unit went in shimmed to perfect square, insulated, and cased inside.
A door with sidelites is really three units in one frame, which means racking during install is the main enemy. Square and shim patience on day two is why this door will close with one finger in 2040.
Buying advice
Fiberglass doors have won the entry door argument in our climate: steel dents and wood demands paint, while fiberglass shrugs at both. Look for ENERGY STAR rated units and spend the savings on the sidelites you actually want. Full options and pricing live on the window and door page.
SHOT ON SITE BY OUR CREW. NO STOCK, NO STAGING.