Front Door and Entry Door Installation in Richmond Hill and the GTA

A front door does more work than almost anything else on a house. It is the first thing a visitor touches, it is a significant source of heat loss when it fits badly, and it is the point most break-ins go through. Most people replace one for how it looks and then discover the other three things mattered too.

Material is the first decision

Fibreglass is what we fit most often, and for good reason in this climate. It insulates well, does not warp, swell or rot through freeze-thaw cycles, and modern moulded finishes convincingly imitate wood grain without the maintenance. It handles a GTA winter better than any other option at its price.

Steel is the strongest option for security and typically the least expensive. The trade-off is that a deep dent cannot really be undone, and untreated scratches will rust.

Solid wood is unmatched for appearance and feel, particularly on a heritage or high-end property. It needs genuine upkeep — refinishing on a schedule — and it responds to humidity by moving, which is why a wood door that fitted perfectly in July can stick in February.

The glass is usually the weak point

Decorative glass is the reason most people choose a particular door, and it is also the biggest hole in its thermal and security performance. Insulated glazing units with two or three panes make a real difference to comfort near the door. For security, laminated glass is worth asking about — it holds together when struck rather than opening a hole next to your deadbolt. If there are sidelights within arm's reach of the lock, that consideration matters more, not less.

Security lives in the frame, not the door

Most forced entries do not break the door. They break the jamb where the strike plate is fastened. A heavy door on a weak frame with short screws is not secure. A proper installation uses a reinforced strike plate with long screws driven into the structural framing behind the jamb, not just the trim. A deadbolt with a full one-inch throw and a solid, square frame does more for security than upgrading the door itself.

Fit is what determines whether it performs

A door is only as good as its installation. The frame has to be square, plumb and properly shimmed, or the door will bind, fail to seal, and wear its weatherstripping unevenly. Older Richmond Hill and Markham homes frequently have openings that have shifted over decades, and a good install accounts for that rather than forcing a stock unit into a frame that has moved.

The signs of a bad fit are easy to spot: daylight visible around the edges, a door that needs a shove to latch, drafts near the hinges, or condensation forming on the inside face in winter.

What to consider before choosing

• Which way the door swings, and whether that suits the entryway.

• How much direct sun and weather the door takes — a south or west exposure is harder on finishes.

• Whether you want sidelights or a transom, and how that affects both light and security.

• Whether the existing frame is sound or needs replacing as part of the job.

• Hardware finish, and matching it to what is already on the house.

Front door installation across the GTA

Modern Empire Doors installs front and entry doors alongside garage doors — you can see the full list on our services page. We work throughout Richmond Hill, Vaughan, Markham, Toronto, Thornhill, Aurora, Newmarket, King City and Durham, and we have been doing it since 2018.

Our doors are made in Canada and carry a lifetime warranty. For a quote, a photo of the existing door from outside and one from inside lets us see the frame and give you an accurate number. Call 647-323-1826.