Replacing Front Door
 

I'm thinking of replacing my front door with a glass one and am looking for someone to hang it for me. Any suggestions? TIA

You might want to first call:

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They've done MANY front door jobs, where they cut an opening in an existing door and insert glass and trim.

If you don't need a whole front door, look at Entrypoint in Lady Lake; they can cut out the door panel and insert the glass of your choosing. Also can do a sidelight if you are set up for one.

And they also sell and install entire doors and sidelights. Great business to work with!

If you are dealing locally, the vendor should have the capability to hang the door. If you are ordering online, then, make absolutely sure of your measurements, and that you have the hinges arranged for the correct side. I am going to assume that the new door will not be drilled for the doorknob and dead bolt, so you will need to get the exact measurements for these also, as well as suitable drill bits. There are several handymen in the area that should be able to do this, I have done this type of work, but presently I am so busy I cannot take on anything else for a couple of weeks or more.

Follow the advice above. No need to reinvent the wheel.

Does anyone have a ballpark cost for this? I have no idea what the price range is.

I do not know what cost you are asking for, as noted above there are several options for modifying your existing door, and there are a couple of companies that will sell you a new door.

If you are asking about the additional handyman work to install the lockset and deadbolt, I would figure in the $150 to $200 range.

I was asking about the cost to use my existing front door and have a glass insert installed. Although you just made me realize that it may be cheaper to buy a door with the glass built-in and just switch my lockset hardware over to the new door myself.

$600 two years ago to have Perry’s (Spanish Springs shopping center) install full glass in existing solid door. Go visit their store. They have a huge selection.

A new pretty mostly glass door installed by entry point cost me 6k and 6 months wait time. I didn't pick a high-end configuration but a nice modest one.

I also had Entrypoint ( Perry’s) modify my door and sidelight. It was 10 years ago, so I have no idea of current prices. They have a wide selection of glass panels at a wide price range. You will have a custom look, rather than something from a big box store. We priced all of the options discussed. Perrys was definitely the most economic way to go. Remember you are going to need to paint your front door after it’s modified.
I have had 10 years of sunlight streaming in my foyer. It’s the best $$ I’ve ever spent.

Lowe’s also does this. They have many glass insert options like 1/2 glass, full glass, really fancy, or just very nice. A couple years ago we looked at Lowe’s and they wanted $800 to do a full door glass insert.

I went with Perry’s , Entry point, in Spanish Springs. Easy peasy…except choosing the insert. Their quality and selection is the best. Mine was close to $1,000. Best upgrade to entrance and curb appeal.

Do you need to get approval before making this change?

We picked out one with a small flaw and a half side light and I think it was about 1000. Several years ago.

Cost.
 

Depends on what you choose. Mine was approximately $1,200. Love it.

I am replacing my front door too but I'm installing it myself. I bought the door from Lowe's and it sounded like about $1200 to install it. The guy at the counter told me you're supposed to have a permit to install an exterior door I guess. I thought that was kind of weird but whatever. As for the door, I paid about $450 on sale. The door was cheap because it was one they had in stock. It had an oval window on the top half of the door. Good enough for me. If you want a door with more glass than that at Lowe's you'll have to order a custom one. Those start about $1500.

Funny story. The guy who remodeled my house before I bought it installed the front door backwards, so it opened outward. They asked him why he did that and he said because of hurricanes, lol. I've been here six months now and all of a sudden I realized the problem with installing a door this way. The hinges are on the outside! All a person has to do is pop the pins out of the hinges and they can take the door off. Needless to say installing the new door is a priority for me.

In general any changes to the outside of the house, landscaping, etc need ARC approval, so I would contact them just to be safe. The comment regarding a permit is interesting, I know we had to have a permit for the lanai enclosure and part of this was the hurricane rating for the windows and sliders so there may be a similar requirement for the exterior doors. You can call the local building department for the specific requirements.

You should have security hinges on the door, they have a knob on one side and a recess it fits in to prevent the door coming off with the pins pulled. Amazon.com

Yes. Interior doors don’t require a permit. Exterior, yes, a permit is required. And for the reason you mentioned (hurricane rated standards)

Perry's entry point cut out a portion of our existing door and inserted a decorative half glass. We had to paint the trim to match out door. Just that little change made a huge difference to the look of the house. They also have full inserts.

ARC approval?
 

I am NOT an expert in the ARC approvals, and there are different requirements for the different CDDs, so call ARC (community standards) and ask them directly, and also call your local building department regarding the need for a permit.

Interesting. I wonder if an insurance company could deny your claim if you didn't have a exterior door that is hurricane rated. I also wonder what is considered a hurricane rated door.

Thanks for the link

Doors that are tested by third party testing labs to ensure impact resistant standards are met.

About $1000 for full view insert from Entry Point a couple years ago. They were exceptional to work with.

We did. It was quickly approved.

Replacing Front Door
 

Many thanks to all who responded to my post. After reading all of them, I decided to buy new from Perry's. They will take my existing door, cut out the panels and install the glass insert. Boom - done.

We like having a front "storm" door so we can leave door open and get light in and security. We purchased from and had Lowe's install. Very happy with it!

I’ve had them do my last 3 homes here( full length ) they do a great job and I was always able to find something right there in store at very nice price ,they are the best ,I also put invisible screens on my doors at any home I’ve ever had , I love leaving my front door open a lot especially at night it’s way better then AC

We had this done and had fantastic results.

It depends on the glass insert you select. They have hundreds to choose from. Go to their showroom in Lady Lake and they’ll go over everything with you.