Insights > Article > Posted: 2025-Mar-21, Updated: 2026-Oct-08

External Doors: A Complete Homeowner’s Guide

Choosing the perfect exterior door can be daunting with so many options available. That's why we've created "Everything You Should Know About Exterior Doors," a comprehensive 44-page guide designed to make your decision easier. This guide is packed with crucial information, detailed diagrams, and visuals to help you pick the ideal entrance, garden, or sliding door.

Key Takeaways

Bayview Windows’ exterior door resource page introduces a downloadable 44-page homeowner’s guide to choosing entrance doors, swinging garden doors and sliding patio doors. With detailed diagrams and practical advice, the guide explains door materials, energy efficiency, performance ratings, configurations and installation considerations to help homeowners make informed replacement decisions. The page also links to related resources covering wood, fibreglass and metal doors, door anatomy, locks, swing direction, colour choices and installation, with options to contact Bayview Windows for advice or request a quote.

Discover how to enhance energy efficiency, understand key material differences, read ratings like a pro, and configure your door for maximum value and a smooth installation.

Download the e-book

Diagram - Anatomy of an exterior entrance door

Explore

Reduce energy costs and increase comfort levels

Explore

Compare doors - Wood, Fibreglass, Metal

Explore

What way should your entrance door swing?

Explore

Entrance door options and locks

Explore

The wizardry of turning a window into a door

Explore

Things to consider when replacing your old entrance door

Explore

What your entrance door colour choice suggests

Explore

Watch a short video of a typical door installation

Explore

Need more information?

For more information about our doors and products, give us a call or reach out via our contact form. We’re ready to answer all your questions and guide you to the best choice!

Request a quote | 613-838-2211