What Happens During a Door Replacement with Polaris? Step-by-Step Guide 

You know your front door is past its prime. It’s drafty, maybe cracked, the hardware’s loose—and it’s hurting both your home’s comfort and curb appeal. You’re ready for a change… but you're wondering: what exactly happens during a professional door replacement?

If you're a homeowner in Toronto or anywhere across the GTA, you're not alone. Many people delay replacing their doors simply because they don’t know what to expect. Is it messy? Will your house be exposed to the cold? How long will it take? And what if there’s rot under the frame?

At Polaris Windows and Doors, we get those questions all the time—and we’re here to answer them. Our professional door replacement process is designed to be clean, fast, and built for long-lasting results. Whether you're swapping out a builder-grade door in Mississauga or upgrading a weather-worn entryway in Vaughan, we handle everything—from the first measurement to the final clean sweep.

In this guide, we’re giving you a detailed, step-by-step breakdown of what happens during a door replacement with Polaris. You’ll learn exactly what to expect before, during, and after the install—and why thousands of homeowners across the GTA trust us to do it right the first time.

Let’s open the door to a smoother, warmer, and more secure home.

Why Replace Your Front Door?

Your front door does more than just welcome guests—it’s your home’s first layer of protection, a big part of your curb appeal, and a major factor in your energy efficiency. But over time, even the best doors begin to show their age.

If you’re dealing with drafts, visible damage, or rising utility bills, replacing your door isn’t just a cosmetic upgrade—it’s a smart move that pays off in more ways than one.

❌ Signs It’s Time to Replace Your Door

Here are the most common reasons homeowners in the GTA call Polaris for a door replacement:

• Cold drafts near your entryway

• Rot or warping around the frame

• Rust or corrosion on steel doors

• Sticking or swelling in humid weather

• Worn-out weatherstripping

• Broken or unreliable locks

• Condensation between glass inserts

• High heating or cooling bills

If you’re nodding to any of these, your door is likely costing you comfort—and money—every month.

✅ Benefits of Replacing Your Front Door

A professionally installed door does more than close properly. Here’s what you get with a Polaris replacement:

• Better energy efficiency – sealed insulation and no drafts

• Improved security – upgraded locks and reinforced frames

• Curb appeal boost – modern styles in steel or fibreglass

• Increased home value – high ROI home improvement

• Quieter interior – thanks to better soundproofing

• Peace of mind – with our lifetime transferable warranty

Many homeowners also replace their front door to prepare for winter, especially in cold-prone areas like Richmond Hill or Aurora where poor insulation can make a noticeable difference in comfort.

📝 Step 1 – Free In-Home Assessment & Quote

Your door replacement journey with Polaris starts with a free, no-pressure consultation at your home. We make it easy to get all the information you need—without any guesswork or sales pressure.

🔍 What We Do During the Assessment:

• Inspect the current door and frame for damage, rot, gaps, and signs of air or water infiltration

• Evaluate the opening size and home layout to recommend the best fit

• Review style options, from solid panels to glass inserts, sidelites, and decorative hardware

• Recommend materials based on your needs—like steel for security or fibreglass for low maintenance

• Discuss energy efficiency, insulation needs, and available upgrade options

• Provide an all-inclusive quote—covering product, installation, removal of the old door, and warranty

Whether you’re in Brampton, Oakville, or downtown Toronto, we tailor the visit to your home and your budget. You’ll walk away with a clear, written quote—and all your questions answered.

📐 Step 2 – Precision Measurement & Custom Door Manufacturing

Once you approve the estimate, our next step is getting the perfect fit. Every Polaris door is custom-built to suit your exact opening—not a generic size from a big box store.

📏 What Happens Next:

• We return for a final laser-accurate measurement to ensure your new door fits flush with your frame

• You choose from custom options including door style, colour, texture, decorative glass, sidelites, and hardware

• We place your order with our trusted Canadian manufacturers

• Production time ranges from 3 to 6 weeks, depending on your customization level

This step ensures your new door isn’t just stylish—it’s tight, well-insulated, and built to handle the GTA’s climate. No excessive shimming. No patchwork fixes. Just a door that fits like a glove.

🏠 Step 3 – Preparing Your Home for Installation Day

When your door is ready, we’ll schedule your door installation and provide a prep checklist. We make the experience easy, and our team handles 90% of the work—but here’s how you can help us start off smoothly:

🧹 What You Should Do:

• Clear the entryway inside and out (remove mats, shoes, small furniture, etc.)

• Move pets to a quiet room away from the front of the home

• Keep the driveway or front entrance accessible for unloading tools and materials

• Be home to greet the crew and do a walkthrough when we finish

🧰 What Polaris Brings:

• Drop cloths to protect flooring

• Professional tools and materials

• Weather-ready sealants and insulation

• HEPA vacuums for post-install cleanup

Yes, we install doors year-round—even in winter! Our team uses cold-weather-rated caulking and insulation foam, and we work quickly to prevent any unnecessary heat loss.

🔐 Security Upgrades During Door Replacement

Your front door is your home’s first line of defence. A proper door replacement doesn’t just improve looks—it upgrades your security in ways that really matter.

💡 Security Features Polaris Offers:

• Steel-reinforced door cores – prevent forced entry

• Multi-point locking systems – engage the door frame at 3+ points

• Impact-resistant fibreglass options – durable and tamper-proof

• Tamper-resistant hinges and strike plates – prevent kick-ins

• Optional smart lock integrations – for keyless convenience and control
  
  

Upgrading your door is the perfect opportunity to modernize your locks and add extra peace of mind. Ask us during your consultation about integrating security features with your new entry door.

🌡️ Energy Savings: How Door Replacement Pays You Back

Beyond just comfort, a professionally installed door replacement from Polaris can lead to real monthly energy savings. Here's how:

💸 Real Benefits:

• Tighter insulation means reduced heat loss in winter

• Weatherstripping and sealing prevent air infiltration

• High-performance doors with insulated cores keep indoor temps stable

• Combined with energy-efficient windows, this creates a sealed envelope that can lower heating and cooling bills by up to 20%

💬 Case Example: A homeowner in Richmond Hill upgraded their warped wooden door to a Polaris fibreglass unit with Low-E glass and proper weatherproofing. Their winter heating bill dropped by $60/month—and the entryway felt warmer immediately.

🧰 What's Included with a Polaris Door Replacement?

When you choose Polaris, you’re not just getting a door. You’re getting full-service, professional door installation with no guesswork or hidden fees.

Your replacement includes:

• ✔️ Free in-home consultation and estimate

• ✔️ Custom measurement and door manufacturing

• ✔️ Professional removal of old door and frame

• ✔️ Precision installation and sealing

• ✔️ New trim, caulking, insulation foam

• ✔️ Lock and hardware install

• ✔️ Cleanup, walkthrough, and documentation

• ✔️ Lifetime transferable warranty

And if you ever need service down the road, we’re local to the GTA and easy to reach.

⏱️ How Long Does a Door Replacement Take?

Most door replacements by Polaris are completed within a single day, often in just 4 to 6 hours. But we don’t rush—because doing the job right matters more than doing it fast.

⌛ Time Factors That May Affect Installation:

• Rot or structural damage that needs fixing first

• Large entry systems with sidelites or double doors

• Custom trim or paint touch-ups

• Cold-weather installs that require extra sealing time

We always give you a realistic estimate upfront. No dragging things out, no waiting around. Our team shows up on time and gets it done—professionally and cleanly.

🏘️ Areas We Serve for Door Replacement Across the GTA

Whether you’re in the heart of Toronto or a quiet street in Milton, Polaris Windows & Doors is your local door replacement expert. Our service crews work across the GTA with flexible scheduling and fast turnaround.

✅ We proudly serve homeowners in:

• Toronto (East York, North York, Etobicoke, Scarborough)

• Vaughan (Woodbridge, Maple, Kleinburg)

• Mississauga & Brampton

• Oakville, Milton, and Burlington

• Markham & Richmond Hill

• Ajax, Pickering, Whitby, Oshawa

• Aurora, Newmarket, King City

Our installers are fully licensed, insured, and trained to work with Ontario building codes, cold-weather techniques, and older home structures.

🙋‍♂️ FAQs – Door Replacement with Polaris

❓ How much does door replacement cost in the GTA?

Most standard front door replacements range from $1,800 to $3,500+, depending on material, glass inserts, and features like sidelites or custom colours. We provide all-in pricing upfront during your consultation.

❓ Will my home be exposed to weather during the install?

No. We remove and replace one unit at a time, and our team works efficiently to minimize exposure—even in winter. We also use cold-weather caulking and insulation foam for winter installs.

❓ Do I need to be home the whole time?

We ask that someone be home at the start and finish. You don’t need to be present all day, but we’ll need access to both sides of the entry and a quick walk-through when we’re done.

❓ What happens to my old door?

Polaris removes and recycles or safely disposes of your old door and frame unless you ask us to leave it behind. We handle all cleanup and waste.

❓ Does the door replacement include a warranty?

Yes. Every Polaris door includes a transferable lifetime warranty on both the product and the installation. You’re protected long-term.

📢 Final Thoughts: A New Door Done Right Changes Everything

When you replace your door with Polaris, you're getting more than a better-looking entry—you’re getting a quieter, warmer, more secure home backed by expert installers and a rock-solid warranty.

From the first measurement to the final walk-through, our team delivers professional, high-quality service with care and precision. We’ve helped thousands of GTA homeowners upgrade their doors—and we’d love to help you next.