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America’s Ugliest Doors Win High-Performance Makeovers
 When the experts at Therma-Tru® set out to find the ugliest entry and patio doors in America for the second year in a row, they didn’t realize what stiff competition was out there. They encountered double doors plastered in hot pink, single doors that looked like they were hacked with a chainsaw and patio doors hanging off their hinges.
In the national “Ugliest Door in America Contest” with the Carey Brothers, hosts of the “On the House” home improvement radio show, Therma-Tru invited home owners to submit a photo and brief essay declaring why they deserved a new entry or patio door system from Therma-Tru.
An elite panel of expert judges — comprised of Morris Carey and James Carey; Sal Alfano, editor-in-chief, Remodeling and Replacement Contractor magazines; Colette Ortiz, building and design editor, “This Old House”; Steve Lawler, producer, “DIY to the Rescue”; and Bernie Ferrari, product manager for exterior doors, Huttig Building Products — waded through more than 100 qualified entries.
The two grand prize winners were announced during a live broadcast of “On the House” on April 15. They will receive Therma-Tru door systems worth approximately $3,000 to $5,000. The actual door model, style and size will be determined by Therma-Tru based on the home. Construction is set to begin later this spring.
 Grand prize winners Darrell and Marie Dunnewold of Clymer, N.Y., really charmed the judges with their unusual entry door. The previous owner was an art teacher and had painted the entire door, including its windows, a combination of “blue-grey and old-barn red.” In addition, to the unique color pattern, the owner had attached a lion’s head knocker, “Hawaiian-style” window shutters and pineapple decorations. Besides blocking out light, the door is notable for its chipping paint and a rickety storm door that is one size too small, ensuring that residents have a good idea when there’s cold weather outside. A sticker in the upper left corner of the door stating “Please Use Other Door” says it best.
Second place winners Jerry and Gloria Schwartz of Matthews, N.C., have a security risk on their hands with doors that can easily be picked “with a butter knife or credit card.” Because the doors and frame are made of wood, they are excessively rotting and constantly needing to be re-painted. The window seals broke during the last hurricane and all the windows are cloudy. Depending on the season, the doors leak cold and hot air due to poor weather stripping.
“It’s amazing how much difference a new entry or patio door makes to the overall look and value of the home,” said Sara Theis, public relations manager, Therma-Tru Doors. “Just by replacing the entry door with a complete Therma-Tru door system with added decorative elements, we can increase the curb appeal and value of the home immensely. We can’t wait to see our two finalists’ homes emerge with their brand new Therma-Tru doors.”
Therma-Tru’s door designers are creating a new entryway for the Dunnewolds and an expanded patio door system for the Matthews, featuring Therma-Tru’s high-style, high-performance fiberglass doors and system components. The home renovations are set to begin in late May and are expected to be completed by mid-summer.
Recent research by Therma-Tru and TNS found that replacing an old entry door with a new fiberglass entry system increases the perceived value of a home by as much as $24,000 — up to 6% of the home’s value.
Headquartered in Maumee, Ohio, Therma-Tru Corporation is a member of the National Council of the Housing Industry — The Supplier 100 of NAHB.
This feature is solely for educational and informational purposes. Nothing on this page should be construed as policy, an endorsement, warranty or guaranty by the National Association of Home Builders of the featured product or the product manufacturer. The National Association of Home Builders expressly disclaims any responsibility for any damages arising from the use, application or reliance on any information contained on this page.
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