Never underestimate the power of a front door. This humble entrance to your abode has a lot of influence on your home’s curbside appeal. Entrance doors must be tough enough to handle all the harsh elements like the sun, snow, wind, and rain. At the same time, it must be classy enough with high-quality door handles to make a good first and lasting impression.
Of course, these entry doors require a bit of investment, so you want them to last a long time. Whether you are about to design a new home or to renovate an old one, you need a durable and beautiful entryway to welcome all your guests. Consider the practical ideas below to help you with your decision-making process when you’re looking for a front door for your home.
Match the Style to the Rest of the House
Your front door must match the architectural theme of your house, or it will be the odd man out. This doesn’t mean your entry will be boring. On the contrary, there is a broad range of styles that can reflect your personality while still managing to work with the theme of your home.
For a traditional home, a classic six-panel door is a perfect choice. Those who are looking for something with a touch of whimsy will love an arched doorway with stained glass window accent details. With so many door styles to choose from, you are bound to find one that matches your home and your taste.
Size Matters a Whole Lot
You have to pick a door size that suits your house. Typically, a standard single door panel will measure between 32 to 36 inches wide. An extra-wide single door is bigger, clocking in at 41 inches. Check to see if the proportion of a single door will work with your house.
If you have a stately home, you may need a more expensive set of double doors with high-quality door handles. Do note that our entryway will be more than just the door itself. You have to account for the ornamental elements that surround your front door. Examples are sidelines or a glazed transom, which both require the right kind of framing to support the design.
Choose the Best Possible Material
Wood: There are many different kinds of materials for your door. The classic is wood, as this natural beauty is the traditional choice. You can pick different stains from light to dark brown. This material is a bit more sensitive to sun and moisture, so you must examine and weatherproof your front door yearly. To cut on cost, you can pick a modern wood door with a veneer or steel core as it gives you the same look of hardwood, but for a cheaper cost.
Fiberglass: The next option is a fiberglass composite door which is very durable. This material is perfectly matched for temperate zones with harsh weather conditions. Most fiberglass doors are stuffed with a foam core, amplifying the insulation.
Steel: Last but not least is steel. This material is solid, and it will not warp like a wood door. However, just like your car, metal doors will dent. On top of that, this may not be the best for extreme weather as metal is a conductor. When it becomes too cold, it will channel the cold into your home, and the same goes for when it is too hot. That being said, a steel door is one of the cheapest options.
Final Word
Whatever front door style you end up choosing, you must remember to harmonize the color, material, hardware, and other entryway accessories. With such a beautiful looking door, your family, friends, and even neighbors will be very excited to knock on your door and come into your lovely home.