Debbie Wolfe is an author and content creator. In addition to being a contributing writer at Forbes, she writes for other leading online home improvement, DIY, and garden media outlets and online ...

Q. I have an old wooden front door with sidelights. The door is in bad shape and leaky, but the sidelights are fine. Is it possible to replace just the door and not the sidelights to save money? A.

Replacing a front door is one of the quickest ways to upgrade the look of your home. But that doesn’t mean it’s easy — or cheap. In fact, many models cost more than $5,000, including installation.

Spring type. Torsion springs cost more but deliver smoother operation and longer lifespan. Extension springs cost less but require more frequent replacement. Local labor rates. Cities with a higher ...