Get matched with top door pros in Alpha, IL

Q: Does changing door knobs increase my property value?

• <div><p>New door knobs likely won&rsquo;t have much of an effect on property value, but they can improve your home&rsquo;s curb appeal and interior decor, which might lead some buyers to offer more for your home. However, in terms of personal value, adding new door knobs can be a game changer. New door knobs not only function better than older ones in most cases, but they make your home secure, and there&rsquo;s a lot to be said about the peace of mind a new exterior door knob can provide.</p></div>

Q: Which way should a gate swing, in or out?

• <div><p>The best direction for a gate to swing depends on its location and purpose, but swinging inward is the general rule. An inward swing is often considered safer, prevents the gate from opening into public spaces like a sidewalk, and may be required by local building codes.</p><p>There are exceptions and specific considerations. If your property is on a slope, an inward swing might not be possible. For a deck gate, it's safest to have it swing away from any steps. In a backyard, the direction can be a matter of preference, though an inward swing can be helpful when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.</p><p>Regardless of direction, ensure the gate can open fully without hitting any objects or blocking spaces. While an inward swing is standard, a gate that can swing both in and out offers the most flexibility if your setup allows for it.</p></div>

Q: How do you determine if a door is a fire door?

• <div><p>Start by checking the top or side edge of the door. Look for a certification label or metal tag stamped with details like the fire rating and information on the manufacturer. Even if it&rsquo;s painted over, the tag should still be visible. Next, look along the edges for slim intumescent strips. They&rsquo;re designed to swell up and seal gaps when exposed to heat. Finally, check if the door closes itself. Most fire doors have a self-closing mechanism, like an overhead closer or spring hinges. If none of these are obvious, contact a fire safety professional to help verify your door. </p></div>

Q: What is the difference between a slab door and a prehung door, and which is better to install?

• <div><p>A slab door is a standalone door without a frame or hardware. A prehung door is a complete set that includes the door, frame, hinges, and sometimes the doorknob and lockset.</p><p>In most cases, a prehung door is the better and easier option to install, especially for DIY projects or exterior applications, as they often come pre-weatherproofed. They require fewer tools and less experience to install properly. Although prehung doors are heavier and have a higher upfront cost, the investment is often worthwhile for a complete upgrade that includes a new frame.</p><p>A slab door may be a better choice if you are on a tight budget, have a custom-sized wall opening, or only need to replace the door while keeping the existing frame. While the initial cost is lower, you will need to purchase all the hardware separately and do more DIY work to hang it, which may not result in significant time or money savings.</p></div>

Q: What is the most common interior door hinge?

• <div><p>Butt hinges are the most common of all door hinges. They&rsquo;re frequently used in commercial and residential structures, secure interior and exterior doors, and can be used on cabinetry. They&rsquo;re inexpensive, simple to install, easy to remove, and available in various materials and styles. They come with two leaves with a knuckle or barrel in the middle. </p></div>

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Verified Reviews for Door Service pros in Alpha, IL

*The Angi rating for Door Service companies in Alpha, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Door Service needs.

*The HomeAdvisor rating for Door Service companies in Alpha, IL is a rating based on verified reviews from our community of homeowners who have used these pros to meet their Door Service needs.

Last update on June 19, 2025

Reviewed in June 2025
The prior owner of our home replaced all of the windows in our house except our main window. We used to get sheets of ice on it during the winter. This last winter we had no condensation and the living room was significantly warmer. It also keeps the sun from heating up the room in the summer....
Mad City Windows & Baths
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Reviewed in March 2025
Our Larson storm door closer was caught by the wind and ripped the bracket away from the exterior door frame. Chris Engle promptly arrived when he said he would. Polite and professional, he accessed the damage and told me what he could do on the spot for the least amount of money. Not a pretty...
Engle construction LLC
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Reviewed in October 2022
I had done my research before hiring Advanced Moving and Storage for my move. As I anticipated, they were excellent. It was so easy getting a quote from them. The number was quite reasonable as well. The movers showed up early. They took on the job seriously and started packing all my stuffs....
Advanced Moving & Storage, Inc.
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Reviewed in August 2022
Excellent job with installation and providing instructions. The dogs have adapted to the fencing nicely.
Dog Guard
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Reviewed in August 2022
They did an addition with this job also. We love it and we really enjoyed working with Cajun and Eric and their team. So much so, we had them come back and do a screened in porch the following year.
Emergent Builders
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Reviewed in January 2020
Dee was very professional on the cleaning of my teeth. She asked questions and took x-rays and went over the cleaning procedure. They also checked my gums to rule out any infection or problems. Had this ever been done before by the previous dentists I went to I might have less dental problems...
QC Dental Docs
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Reviewed in April 2019
Titan replaced windows and doors and repaired roof. Pricing was great as was customer service.
Stellar Roof Repair, LLC
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Reviewed in February 2015
He does construction and a lot of stuff. He is excellent. He doesn’t overcharge. He lives right next door to us. He is fair and reasonable. He leaves the work area of your home in great condition. If he tells you that he is going to be there, he will be there on time. He does an excellent job....
S & S Construction
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Reviewed in June 2014
They did an exceptional job for us. We had a little problem and they were back at 7 am the next morning. We hadn't used the door in 2 years and when we came back there were something wrong with the electricity so we had that fixed and then had them come to check everything out with the garage...
Sullivan Door Co.
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Reviewed in September 2013
It was horrible first it took longer than it was suppose too. The workers would show up around 11-12 in the afternoon, some days not at all. The work they did was very poor! My roof leaks, my sliding glass door sticks, my counter tops are not level, my walls are off, and they left the job...
Materials Direct Inc
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Find Door pros in Alpha

Perfect Choice Exteriors LLC

4.7(

244

)

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 2009

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"The guys who did the windows for our new house were amazing. Professional, on time, and the windows are fantastic. The price was reasonable compared to other options. So glad we chose this company! The installation crew was super friendly and funny."

+30

22 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by92%of homeowners

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LEGACY CONSTRUCTION & HAULING, LLC

4.9(

)

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Emergency services offered

"Did great work. Finished and textured drywall in my bathroom for a remodeling job."

+13

4 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Green Valley Roofing Siding Windows

4.8(

145

)

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Warranties offered

"Dave from Green Valley came right on time and was very personable. He checked out my roof and gave me some suggestions of what I should watch out for. He did not charge anything for doing this which was great! I am used to companies charging for absolutely everything they do. Very refreshing and I will definitely be calling them again when I need them. I now plan on also having them install a storm door for me too!"

+34

Response time2 days

7 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by97%of homeowners

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2016

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"Cajun and Eric took care of everything, including disposing of a few additional items. They were professional and easy to work with. Cajun kept in touch with me from beginning to end, and I'm hoping that U can get them in for future projects. Thank you guys, awesome!!!"

Response time3 hrs

Recommended by100%of homeowners

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2001

Free estimates

Small jobs welcome

"He does more than painting. I hired for gutter cleaning. He answered my questions and didn't try to sell me anything else."

Response time1 day

22 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by71%of homeowners

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Cronkhite Home Solutions

3.2(

168

)

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2011

Free estimates

Credit card accepted

"I had this company replace my windows, siding, insultation and decking on my porch. They were on time and did an absolutely beautiful job. I got used to opening my front door and finding their crews working. They were here for about a week and I never even had to clean up after them. What a marvel! The young man that ran the siding crew(Carlos) was nothing but kind and nice to me no matter what stupid question I asked. I can't praise this company enough."

Medium Grey Double Four Traditional Lap Siding

+55

Response time1 day

311 neighbors recently requested a quote

Recommended by81%of homeowners

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Hansen Building & Renovations, LLC

5.0(

)

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

In business since 2024

Free estimates

Offers commercial services

"Wade does 95% of the work himself. Bid was more than fair for our project and there were no cost overruns. I was very pleased with the quality of the work and so was the city building inspector. Wade handled changes to the project when we had to move a door and stairs to a different wall midway through the project. We've already hired him for another project."

Response time3 days

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved (Corporate)

In business since 2007

Credit card accepted

Offers commercial services

"$7000 for a simple door and $3000 per window? On an old mobile home? No thank you !!!!!"

6076 neighbors recently requested a quote

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1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

My name is James botkin with 1 of 1 quality home improvement LLC. We are professionals in replacing Windows, doors, siding, floors, metal wraps, soffit, and fascia, and with 15 plus years experience me and our team will be sure to make sure the homeowner is as happy as can be with the work we do!!\nWhy?, because we are the 1

1 neighbors recently requested a quote

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The Handy Human LLC

New to Angi

Serving Alpha, IL and surrounding areas

Approved

Small jobs welcome

Hello, I'm John, owner and sole proprietor of The Handy Human. I've been doing general home maintenance and repair my whole life, and am not immune to the never-ending to-do list that can plague most homeowners. If your personal home or rental property needs an upgrade or general maintenance, I am your human. There is no job too small for a helping hand in this world. Let's work together to shorten that list so you can get back to enjoying your home as it is meant to be.

2 neighbors recently requested a quote

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Doors questions, answered by experts

New door knobs likely won’t have much of an effect on property value, but they can improve your home’s curb appeal and interior decor, which might lead some buyers to offer more for your home. However, in terms of personal value, adding new door knobs can be a game changer. New door knobs not only function better than older ones in most cases, but they make your home secure, and there’s a lot to be said about the peace of mind a new exterior door knob can provide.

The best direction for a gate to swing depends on its location and purpose, but swinging inward is the general rule. An inward swing is often considered safer, prevents the gate from opening into public spaces like a sidewalk, and may be required by local building codes.

There are exceptions and specific considerations. If your property is on a slope, an inward swing might not be possible. For a deck gate, it's safest to have it swing away from any steps. In a backyard, the direction can be a matter of preference, though an inward swing can be helpful when carrying heavy items like a wheelbarrow into a garden.

Regardless of direction, ensure the gate can open fully without hitting any objects or blocking spaces. While an inward swing is standard, a gate that can swing both in and out offers the most flexibility if your setup allows for it.

Start by checking the top or side edge of the door. Look for a certification label or metal tag stamped with details like the fire rating and information on the manufacturer. Even if it’s painted over, the tag should still be visible. Next, look along the edges for slim intumescent strips. They’re designed to swell up and seal gaps when exposed to heat. Finally, check if the door closes itself. Most fire doors have a self-closing mechanism, like an overhead closer or spring hinges. If none of these are obvious, contact a fire safety professional to help verify your door.

A slab door is a standalone door without a frame or hardware. A prehung door is a complete set that includes the door, frame, hinges, and sometimes the doorknob and lockset.

In most cases, a prehung door is the better and easier option to install, especially for DIY projects or exterior applications, as they often come pre-weatherproofed. They require fewer tools and less experience to install properly. Although prehung doors are heavier and have a higher upfront cost, the investment is often worthwhile for a complete upgrade that includes a new frame.

A slab door may be a better choice if you are on a tight budget, have a custom-sized wall opening, or only need to replace the door while keeping the existing frame. While the initial cost is lower, you will need to purchase all the hardware separately and do more DIY work to hang it, which may not result in significant time or money savings.

Butt hinges are the most common of all door hinges. They’re frequently used in commercial and residential structures, secure interior and exterior doors, and can be used on cabinetry. They’re inexpensive, simple to install, easy to remove, and available in various materials and styles. They come with two leaves with a knuckle or barrel in the middle.

The Alpha, IL homeowners’ guide to door services

From average costs to expert advice, get all the answers you need to get your job done.

See all articles

Angi
•
Apr 6, 2026Apr 6, 2026
How Much Does a Fire Door Cost? [2026 Data]
Discover fire door cost data, including installation, materials, and tips to save. Learn what impacts fire door pricing and how to budget for your project.
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•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
How Much Does It Cost to Plane a Door? [2026 Data]
Planing a sticking door is a small repair that can make a big difference. Learn how much it costs to plane a door and what factors affect the cost.
Angi
•
May 3, 2026May 3, 2026
How Much Does Window-to-Door Conversion Cost? [2026 Data]
Discover the window-to-door conversion cost. Learn about average prices, cost factors, and tips to save on your window-to-door conversion project.
Bry'Ana Arvie
•
May 21, 2026May 21, 2026
How to Fortify Your Exterior Doors Against Forced Entries
Keeping you and your home protected with fortified exterior doors doesn’t always mean replacing your door entirely. This guide will give you a few ways to strengthen your door and frame and make it resistant to forced entry.
C.E. Larusso
•
Apr 5, 2026Apr 5, 2026
Who Repairs Doors? Here’s Who to Hire
A sticking, leaking, or otherwise malfunctioning door can sometimes be too much to handle. Learn about who to hire for a sticking door.
Audrey Bruno
•
Mar 19, 2026Mar 19, 2026
The Ultimate Door Installation Checklist
When installing a new door, it’s important to make sure you follow the right steps for function and safety. Keep this door installation checklist handy.