Keyless Door Locks

Trying to remember your key every time you leave the house is not always so easy as it might seem.  In fact, there are plenty of occasions where you can accidentally lock the keys inside, leaving you no way to get back.  That just can’t happen when you have an important meeting to be at work for, and that means you want to have the right kind of failsafe to over you security, as well as convenience.  Nothing does that quite in the way that keyless door locks can.  These are special types of locks that you can utilize so that you never have to use a traditional key ever again.  Instead you can come up with some other format that your keyless door locks require in order to open.

What you’re going to find with locks like these is that they always feature some different method of opening than the traditional key turning method.  Instead these can commonly feature all sorts of conventions, and one of the most common is through combination locks.  This way, they typically feature a digital number pad, so that you can literally enter in a number code for your door, of just about any length, to allow you inside.  That means never having to remember a key again, even though you will have to remember a combination instead.  While that may seem like a hassle, it’s actually not that bad, because some of the combinations can be easy for you to keep stored in your noggin.

Of course you can also find those that require no combination, so that you can ensure there’s no worry of you ever forgetting one. For example, there are those that have very advanced interfaces, so that you can literally put in something like a fingerprint, so that it will only open for your finger.  This is a great way to bring all the technology of the future right to your fingertips, so that the key to open your door, literally is you.  Although this type of method can be somewhat of a hassle, just because it’s not always the most ideal means of opening your door because they are difficult to install because of their power needs and advanced technology.

When you’re looking for the best keyless door locks, what you will find however is that there are also those that just require a different type of key that can make them a bit more convenient.  For example, some of them can require a remote sensor, like a remote control that you can click and have them open.  But then others require something like a keycard.  Of course the problem being that just as you can lose keys, you can lose these tools as well, making it impossible to open the door.

But if you do decide that keyless door locks are for you, no matter what type you’re looking for, you can’t go wrong shopping online.  You can find a great selection of unique and practically futuristic locks by shopping through sites like GoKeyless.com or even DoorHardwarePlus.com.

Read more at fiberglass entry doors

How to Repair Cracks in Fiberglass Entry Doors

An entry doorway is a high-trafficked area and it is not surprising if even sturdy fiberglass entry doors can have cracks. Fortunately for you, this minor damage can be fixed at home using materials bought from a hardware store and some tools you likely already have at home.

Tools and Materials

• Acetone Stripper
• Fiberglass epoxy resin kit
• 100, 200 and 400 grit sandpaper
• Popsicle Stick, Tongue Depressor or Small Spatula
• Masking Tape
• Old Newspaper
• Compressor paint sprayer
• Primer
• Acrylic Paint
• Car Wax or Fiberglass Wax
• Buffing attachment
• Rotary Tool

Step 1 – Clean and Strip the Cracked Area

Some cracks are visible; some are not. However, if you are sure that the visible crack is the only crack that you have to treat then you have to create a perimeter on the area that you will work on so as not to scratch nearby areas. Even if there is only a single crack to work on, this is also the best time to do a repainting job. Decide on these two before proceeding.

For small cracks, clean the cracked area with mild detergent and strip it of paint using a stripper. Next, isolate the area by creating a perimeter using masking tape and old newspaper. Cover nearby areas with newspaper too.

Follow the same steps if you want to repair the cracks and do a repainting too (of the entire door).

Step 2 – Patch the Crack

Sand the area starting with coarser 100-grit sandpaper. If the crack is wide, sand the inside too.

Mix the epoxy resin kit by following the packaging instruction. Apply it on the crack using a small spatula, popsicle stick or a tongue depressor. For very small and thin cracks, use a toothpick to push the epoxy resin down in the crack. Wipe excess epoxy. Let it cure.

When it hardens, get the 200-grit sandpaper and even out the surface. Make sure that the epoxy is flushed with the surface.

Step 3 – Re-paint

Rent a compressor paint sprayer and read the instruction on how to use it. Apply primer on the area in a thin coat. Allow it to dry for a few minutes before spraying another coat of primer. Sand it again to even out the surface. Brush the area to remove powdery residue left from sanding.

Purchase an acrylic paint that matches the old paint in color and texture. If you are repainting the entire door, however, you can select any color you want.

Apply the first coat thinly and evenly. Allow it to dry. Sand it using the 400-grit sandpaper. Apply the second coat thickly. Let it dry.

Step 4 – Buff

Apply wax on the newly painted fiberglass entry door. Attach the buff pad to the rotary tool. Turn on the tool and polish the surface in a circular motion. Apply another coat of wax and buff it in the same way. Then stand back an admire your handiwork.

Holiday Start at the Front Door

Decorating your home for the holidays is a popular seasonal pastime that brings joy to both homeowner and the entire neighborhood.  And a great place to kick off that décor project is your front door.  Many homeowners view their entryway as a sign of the quality of their home, and the holidays are the ideal time to show it off.  A festive holiday entry can be the home’s focal point and serve as a first impression for both its interior and exterior.  

The experts at Therma Tru, a leading manufacturer of fiberglass entry doors, offer tips for creating a warm and inviting entryway during the holidays:

Hang seasonal door decorations

• Consider a twig wreath adorned with greens, gourds or berries
• Design a heart-shaped wreath with miniature pine cones and dye them a brilliant shade of red 
• Mount an evergreen wreath or swag with glass ornaments or silver bells
• Create a wreath with magnolia leaves and fresh fruit such as pears, apples and pomegranates
• If you have a rustic style home, consider adding antlers, a cowboy hat or rope to your wreath
• For a coastal home, consider a wreath of woven sea grass with sea shells or a brightly painted life preserver with lights and decorative glass floats
• If your door doesn’t merit all the attention, consider wrapping it in bright paper with a large bow or framing it in lights
• Hang a set of sleigh bells on the door knob, which will give a festive jingle every time guests pass through

Add accessories around the doorway

• Frame your entryway with a garland and lights – add bows or pine cones for more decorative detail
• Place pots or urns planted with seasonal greenery, poinsettias and lights on either side of the doorway
• Put out a welcome mat designed with holiday accents
• Add new brass or nickel accents such as a kick plate, porch lights and a door knocker to dress up your door
• Hang matching wreaths and candles in all of the windows

Paint your door

• If it’s not yet too cold to paint outdoors, brighten up your door with a fresh coat of red paint or a strong color that provides contrast to your current color scheme

When decorating, be careful to protect your door.  Avoid putting a nail in the face of the door, as this can lead to damage later on.  Instead, use a door hanger to hang the wreath from the door knocker, or place a tack on the top of the door frame and use clear fishing line to hang the wreath.

In addition to these simple design tips, you may also want to consider taking advantage of this opportunity to update your entryway with a new, energy-efficient door system. Fiberglass is growing in popularity with homeowners because the doors are easy to maintain and will withstand a wide range of temperatures and weather elements such as strong winds, high-humidity and frequent rain. What’s more, fiberglass doors offer four times the insulation of wood and won’t rot, crack or split like wood doors, or dent, rust or corrode like steel doors. The doors are ENERGY STAR qualified, providing excellent thermal protection and comfort for your family and holiday house guests. And as an added value, homeowners who purchase and install certain styles of Therma-Tru doors may be eligible for a tax credit of up to $1,500 per household through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009. But hurry!  This program is due to expire on December 31, 2010. 

A home break-in would surely spoil the joy of the holidays, so it’s a good time to re-visit your home’s security.  The entry and patio door are prime targets for intruders seeking holiday loot.  Thanks to an adjustable security strike plate that provides resistance up to three times the industry standard, Therma-Tru fiberglass doors are more resistant to forced entry than wood doors. In fact, the Home Safety Council, which recognizes manufacturers who incorporate safety innovations in their products, has honored Therma-Tru’s fiberglass doors.  In addition, fiberglass doors can be produced to meet fire resistance standards that provide added safety and peace-of-mind, and Therma-Tru's hand-made decorative, break-resistant tempered glass provides protection from intruders and the elements.

And remember that decorating your home for the holidays can help create a warm and inviting front entry, and a great first impression.