Entry, Patio and Storm Door Replacement in Des Moines
A front door that sticks every humid summer and leaks cold air every winter is more than an annoyance. Flow Right replaces entry doors, patio doors and storm doors in Des Moines homes and sets them plumb, sealed and easy to lock.
Doors that close tight, lock easily and keep the weather out
Daylight under the door, frost on the inside of the threshold and a deadbolt you have to lift the door to throw are the usual signs. So is a soft, dark spot at the bottom of the frame where melting snow has soaked in for years. Patio sliders tell you differently: they grind on a worn track, the latch stops catching and wind whistles through the weatherstrip.
We pull the old unit, check the sill and the floor beneath it for rot, and set the new door plumb and square. Then we shim and fasten the frame, flash and seal the sill so water runs out instead of in, and adjust the hinges and strike until the door latches without a shove. Entry doors, sliding and hinged patio doors and storm doors are all part of our door installation and replacement work.
A storm door in front of an entry door adds a layer against wind and blowing snow and gives you a screen for summer evenings. Luke walks through glass, screen and color choices with you during a free estimate, and he will tell you if the frame needs work before anything is ordered. Call or text (515) 901-3646 to set a time.
What a Flow Right door replacement includes
- Prehung entry door replacement
- Sliding and hinged patio doors
- Storm doors with glass and screen choices
- Sill and frame checked for rot
- Flashing, shims and sealant at every door
- Hardware adjusted so the door latches easily
Door details that matter in Des Moines
Same size and same swing keeps it simple
The City of Des Moines Minor Repair Permit Exemption Policy lists replacing non-fire-rated doors and frames with doors of the same swing and size as exempt from a permit. Widening an opening, adding a new door or switching a window to a patio door is a different job. Exempt work still has to meet current code, so check with the Des Moines Permit and Development Center for your address before you change the size.
Energy numbers for a cold-climate door
Polk County homes see a winter average around 25.6 degrees, so the door matters. Under ENERGY STAR version 7, a solid door needs a U-factor of 0.17 or lower, and a door that is more than half glass needs 0.26 or lower in the northern zones. Ask to see the label. The federal 25C door credit ended for doors placed in service after 2025, so pick a door for comfort, not a tax break.
Keeping roof water off the front step
A new door will not last if roof water pours onto the step every time it rains, then freezes there overnight. Des Moines gets about 36.5 inches of snow in a normal season, and meltwater off a porch roof turns into ice right where you walk. A short gutter run over the entry fixes that. We do seamless gutters in Des Moines too, so the door and the drip can be handled together.
Door Replacement, Up Close
Real photos from Flow Right jobs. See more of our work or read about our full doors service.
Des Moines Door Replacement Questions
Not seeing yours? Call or text (515) 901-3646 and ask Luke.
Luke, Jaxx & Larry
A family business, third generation. Luke runs every estimate himself and Jaxx works the jobs with him. Larry, the shop dog, mostly supervises.
Do I need a permit to replace a front door in Des Moines?
The city's 2023 exemption policy covers swapping a non-fire-rated door and frame for one of the same size and swing. If you are widening the opening, adding sidelights or cutting a new doorway, the rules are different. Call the Des Moines Permit and Development Center to confirm for your house before work starts, and Luke will help with the details they ask for.
What should I look for in an energy-efficient entry door for Des Moines winters?
Check the U-factor on the label: 0.17 or lower for a solid door under ENERGY STAR version 7, and 0.26 or lower for a door that is more than half glass. A tight, adjustable threshold and good weatherstrip matter just as much. A storm door in front adds another layer against wind.
Can I get a tax credit for a new door installed in Des Moines in 2026?
Not a federal one. The 25C credit, which covered up to a set amount for qualifying exterior doors, ended for doors placed in service after December 31, 2025. Our window and door tax credit guide explains what changed. Ask a tax professional about anything installed in 2025.
How much does it cost to replace an entry door in Des Moines?
The price depends on the door material, glass, sidelights, hardware and how much the frame and sill need. We do not list prices on this page. Our entry door cost guide shows published ranges, and Luke gives you an exact number in a free estimate after he looks at the opening.
Des Moines & Polk County
We cover Des Moines and the communities around it, including:
Seamless Gutters in Des Moines
Seamless 5 and 6 inch gutters formed on site, hung on hidden hangers, in any color.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Guards in Des Moines
Micro-mesh, LeafFX and Gutter Topper leaf protection fitted to the trees over your house.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Cleaning in Des Moines
Gutters and downspouts cleared by hand, flushed and checked by a crew that installs gutters.
See the Des Moines pageGutter Repair in Des Moines
Leaks, sagging runs, loose downspouts and storm damage fixed, with honest repair or replace advice.
See the Des Moines pageAll Services in Des Moines
Everything we do in Des Moines and Polk County.
Des Moines overviewPolk County
Gutters, siding and windows across Polk County.
County overviewDoor Installation & Replacement
Entry, patio and storm doors installed square, sealed and trimmed to keep Iowa winters out.
The full serviceNeed Door Replacement in Des Moines?
Call or text Luke, or send a few details. Estimates are free.