You might not think of your house’s front door unless you’re going in and out of your home, but the truth is that your front door may be coming to the end of its useful life. So, how can you tell it’s time for a wrought iron front door? Just check out these obvious—and not so obvious—signs.

You’re Constantly Fighting with It

If you feel like you have to engage in a wrestling match just to enter or exit through the front door, this is a sign that it has most likely become warped. Warping is a serious thing because it’ll make a door more difficult to operate and will also cause gaps that can make it easier for all kinds of critters to get inside.

This problem can be drastically reduced by choosing a different material for your front door. For example, iron front doors will offer more structural stability than a wooden door that can warp with temperature changes.

It Won’t Win Any Beauty Contests

Let’s face it: All doors get their share of dings and scratches over time, but there’s a point in every door’s life where no amount of cleaning or painting will make it look like it used to. Bottom line: A beautiful home with a less-than-desirable front door will instantly lose curb appeal.

Not only that, but a door that looks ugly from the outside may have deeper issues. Rust and rotting wood are sure signs that moisture has weakened a door’s structure. That might be music to a burglar’s ears, but probably not to yours.

A Tarnished Reputation

Wrought Iron Screen Doors

Hinges, locks, and other hardware that are tarnished or sagging or no longer fit properly can all be signs it’s time to change out your door—and it isn’t only because these issues make your door look terrible. They can also make it less effective at deterring intruders.

Here’s an easy test of door strength: If you think you can kick your door down, then you probably can. Okay, so maybe that’s not the best test—but, seriously, any door that looks beat up before you start kicking it is likely not going to stand up very well to a break-in.

Is It Cold (or Hot) in Here, or Is It Just My Door?

Have you noticed a change in the temperature of your home lately? Believe it or not, this can be a sign that your door needs replacing. A really easy way to check for air leaks is to simply run the flame of a candle or lighter around your door frame. A flame that’s drawn toward the outside or which flickers is a sure sign of leakage.

If your home is ready for a new front door, look no further than Universal Iron Doors. We put 150 years of blacksmithing experience behind every customizable door we create. Browse our live inventory of beautiful and durable iron front entry doors or call 1-818-771-1003 to speak with one of our experts.