Does your Front Door Matter?

Yes, it Really Does Matter.

A front door says a lot about your home. It is the focal point of every home, whether you are building, renovating or upgrading. The size, style, color and design of your front door, can make or break your home.

The ideal front door must be fierce, welcoming and perfect in all ways. Yet, at the same time, be able to withstand extreme weather conditions, intrusions and be within your budget. It can’t look cheap or out of place. It is the first thing people see when coming to your home and you don’t want to disappoint.

Choosing a door sounds like a terrifying task, but it doesn’t need to be that way. By following these 4 steps, you will easily be able to choose the perfect front door to your perfect home.

Working within your Budget

Everyone has a budget. Therefore, staying within that budget is essential to a happy home builder. Front doors come in all shapes and sizes. The door that you want may be out of your price range, but don’t worry most front doors can be adjusted to meet your needs. Set a budget and stick with it.

In addition, remember all front doors take maintenance and up keep over time.

Material Must’s

Now that you’ve set a budget, the next step is to decide what materials are within your budget. Some things to remember when choosing materials: can it withstand all weather conditions (depending on your home location), is it durable, how much is maintenance going to cost, and does it fit the style that you are looking for.

There are different materials available for front doors, some of which include:

Fiberglass: Usually made to look like wood doors. They are low maintenance, durable, energy efficient and secure. You can choose from a wide variety of door styles and size, glass design and prices. Fiberglass doors are all the rage! For some great examples of fiberglass doors, click here

Steel: Tends to provide an extra level of security. Energy efficient and usually a lower cost. They can withstand most weather conditions, but not all extremes. The downfall is that they can easily be dented and scratched up, which can lead to rust and harder to repair.

Wood: Has been around since the beginning of time. They are the classic, beautiful, elegant touch, to finish the home perfect. They are sturdy and easy to repair. However, they tend to have a lot more maintenance compared to other materials and can be easily damaged by moisture. For some great examples of Wood doors, click here

Each of these materials have different costs, but can be adjusted to both fit your price range and style. As you look for that perfect material, keep in mind, prices tend to increase with the size of your front door, paneling or sidelites and decorative glass.

The Right Shape and Size

Now that you’ve chosen the material for your front door, take a look at the entry way. What size of door will fit (typically 6’8”x3’ or 8’x3’), is there room for sidelites, transoms or paneling? Do you want an in-swing (ex. click here.), French (ex. click here) or single door (ex. click here) ? All of these things need to be chosen and customized according to what you like.

Color and Style

Finally, the fun part. After choosing the material, finding the shape and size for your front door, start figuring out what kind of home you have. Is it more traditional, modern, coastal, rustic or craftsman? What kind of details do you want or not want on your front door?

Every front door varies in artistic rending, some are simpler, while others have intricate designs. Your door reflects the personality of your home. Find something that compliments your home to the greatest degree. Most importantly, don’t be afraid to add some color to your front door: red, yellow, blue or green. All of this says something about you and your home.

Finally, choose things like the door knob, lock and doorbell that complement the rest of your front door. Finish by placing a welcome mat, flowers and any lighting to bring in the perfect finishing touches to your beautiful new home. (For more examples please click, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)

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Choosing a Front Door