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Home design blog

How to pick the perfect front door

8/18/2016

56 Comments

 

​Selecting a new front door entails more than just picking out the color.

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Your front door serves several purposes. It lets in sunlight and guests, and keeps out the cold. It's the backdrop for your holiday wreath and your first line of home defense. It contributes to overall curb appeal.  Because your front door does all this and more in the face of constant outdoor exposure and daily use, it may be well past its prime and within a few slams of needing a replacement. Here are five tips to help you select the best door for your home and lifestyle.

1. Find the perfect fit
Like a recruiter, you're looking to fill a specific opening so eliminate candidates that aren't the right fit.  
"The first question I ask customers is, 'What size is the current entry?' We replace like with like," says Donna Cahoon, co-owner of Today's Entry Doors in Orange, California.  That's because to do otherwise would mean redoing the door framing -- a far too costly and complicated job unless you happen to be remodeling.  Sticking with the same measurements does not limit your options to the same type of door. For example, "you can, in many cases, go from a double door to a door with two sidelites (glass panels on each side) without any problems or major modifications to the opening, or to an oversize single door with one sidelite," says Ryan Hampton, vice president of the Front Door Co., San Antonio, Texas.  homeowners must decide whether they want glass inserts in their door, and how much.

2. Consider the architecture
The new door needs to fit more than just the opening.
Your front door should complement your home's architecture and not look too out of place in the neighborhood. "I liken it to a necklace or a scarf. It can stand out and be a bit daring but it should work with everything else -- the brick or siding, the roof and all the other fixed materials of the house," says Jennifer Ott, principal of Jennifer Ott Design in San Francisco.  Choose an appropriate door style (contemporary, traditional, rustic) and finish (paint or stain) for your home. Bright colors including red, turquoise, cobalt and yellow are gaining in popularity. For wood tones, "knotty alder is popular these days for a real distressed look," says Ron Hathaway, owner of The Door Store and Able Door Services in Houston.  Many people like the look of a wooden door.

3. Balance the glass
Decide how much glass you want for aesthetic and practical purposes. "This is the second question I ask people, after the size of the existing entry," says Cahoon, adding that the type and amount of glass greatly affects price.  You can have as little as a peephole on up to a "full lite" door that has top-to-bottom glass to let in natural light. In between are Craftsman-style doors with lites (glass inserts) just at the top, half-lite doors and doors with transoms.  "People are moving to doors that don't have as much glass," Hathaway says.  The popularity of painted doors may be the reason, as well as privacy and safety concerns. But door glass can be textured, frosted or opaque for varying degrees of privacy. Break-ins are a legitimate concern, but the glass used in door assemblies typically is triple-paned and tempered. There's even severe-weather glass rated for high-velocity wind zones.  Coated "low-e" glass prevents UV rays from fading your interior woodwork and furnishings, Hampton says.  Exterior doors are made from wood, steel, aluminum or fiberglass.

4. What's the weather?
Take into consideration your door's exposure to the elements. No covered entryway? Then you'll need tougher materials.  "Uncovered doors that receive direct sun exposure should be made of longer-lasting materials such as fiberglass, aluminum or steel," says Hampton, adding that south- and west-facing doors take a harder beating. "Wood doors typically do not hold up well in sunlight and extreme weather and require more maintenance."  Most fiberglass doors are textured and stained to look like wood, but they are better suited for harsh climates and require little maintenance. Metal doors are usually cheaper than wood and fiberglass, but despite metal's reputation for toughness, Consumer Reports testers concluded that it's "not the best choice for wear and tear."  When weather-beaten doors need to be revarnished, apply no fewer four coats of marine urethane, Hathaway recommends.

5. Security matters
Explore your lock options -- but don't stop there. If security is a top concern, now is the time to upgrade your door locks. There are different types to choose from, but all can be rendered useless by one powerful kick. When a burglar kicks in a door, the door itself seldom breaks (wood, fiberglass and metal doors performed just about the same in Consumer Reports' battering ram test) nor does the lock fail. Instead, the doorjamb splits.  "Steel reinforcements can be installed to strengthen the jamb where the deadbolt engages," Hampton says.

<read full article here>
56 Comments
Abraham Benjamin link
8/30/2016 11:25:01 pm

I think upvc doors are one of the best choices for you front doors.There are many manufactures that provides high quality upvc doors at affordable rates.Thanks a lot for sharing this.Good Work.Keep it Up.

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Annika Larson link
5/4/2017 06:28:05 pm

My husband and I are looking to buy a new front door for our home. We want something that will be durable and that will match the style of our home. As you said, fiberglass, aluminum or steel are longer-lasting materials that are good for doors that receive direct sun exposure. Thanks for sharing!

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Kylie Dotts link
6/16/2017 08:53:33 pm

I like how you suggested deciding how much glass you want for aesthetics and practicality. I think it's important to realize that limiting how much glass you have on your door can be a benefit. A few years ago I had a friend who left her two sons in the house alone. One of them locked the other out which lead to a ski pole being used to break the front door glass in order to get in. Knowing how much glass to have on your entry door could financially beneficial because you won't have to replace it like my friend had to.

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Violette Lebrac link
8/17/2017 10:39:08 pm

I'm glad you mentioned that the glass in front doors is tempered with several panes to prevent break-ins. I am thinking of replacing my front door because it sticks in the frame, but I want something that is secure. Getting a glass door might be a good choice if the glass is strong enough not to break through.

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Alexandria Martinez link
9/11/2017 10:15:47 pm

The house that my fiance and I just bought needs a new door and we are thinking about making a custom one. We both really liked that you suggested picking a door that complements the house's overall architecture. This is an important consideration.

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Derek Dewitt link
9/17/2017 11:33:20 am

My wife and I are renovating our house but we aren't quite sure what we want to do with the new front entryway. I like that you suggest finding a style of door that matches your home's architecture and doesn't look out of place in the neighborhood. We might have to check out a few of our neighbor's doorways and see what they did. Thanks for the tips!

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Kenneth Gladman link
9/29/2017 06:30:39 pm

I like that you mentioned considering that weather and if you have a covered entryway. Luckily, our patio is covered by the roof so we have a few more options. I think there are a lot of options when you use a PVC door. There are many styles and colors you can choose from.

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Jeremy Thompson link
10/4/2017 08:17:34 pm

I do agree that one's front door should complement the look of the house and the neighborhood. Great tips! I'll try to have our door repaired first but if all else fail I'll try to buy a new one. This door has served ages and it would be a shame to just quit on it.

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Richardhenriq link
10/9/2017 08:08:30 am

Nice blog, home designs are awesome.
Thanks for this amazing post.

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Finley Moreira link
10/20/2017 09:34:14 am

You make a good point that a new door ought to balance the overall theme and architecture of a home. I'd like to get a new door in my home, so this is definitely something I'll keep in mind. Would looking online for ideas be a good way for me to determine what door style fits my home?

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Derek Dewitt link
10/26/2017 09:19:28 am

My wife and I just moved into a new home, but we aren't happy with our current front door. I like that you mention how doors that are exposed to the sun are better off being fiberglass or steel. We might have to do this so that the sun doesn't wear the wood and paint. Thanks for sharing!

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Hannah Neilson link
1/15/2018 11:44:53 pm

I agree that you need to consider the style of your home when choosing a front door. It would be good to consider this because it would show that they are qualified. My brother is looking for a new front door, so he'll have to consider his home style.

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Jordan link
1/19/2018 07:40:00 pm

I've been wanting to get a glass door, and I think that being able to get some tips on choosing the best company would be good. I'm glad you talked about being able to balance the glass and decide how much you want. I'm going to have to do some looking and see what glass door companies I can find!

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Tiffany Locke link
1/30/2018 10:30:16 pm

I like your advice to explore the different locks available in order to find one that provides excellent security. When choosing your door, it would probably be a good idea to consider which locks work best with what you have, such as if it's a sliding or hinged. Looking online would probably be a great way to research the different locks and doors as well as contractors so that you can choose one that will provide the best security and ensure it's properly installed so that it'll work.

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Ridley link
5/8/2018 02:15:05 pm

It's nice to learn more about getting a front door. We want to find the perfect door for our new home, but there's a ton of options to choose from! I like what you said about deciding on the glass because I haven't thought about that much. We definitely want natural light from there.

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Jordan link
5/20/2018 02:18:03 pm

I've been wanting to get some good entry door installation services, and I think that being able to get some tips could be nice. I'm glad you talked about how you can find the perfect fit for an entry door, and I think that would be great. I'm going to have to look for some good entry door installation services and see what door would be best for me!

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hannah neilson link
6/6/2018 04:50:58 pm

Thanks for the advice about considering how much glass you want on your front door. Finding a good balance with the style of the rest of your home would make it very aesthetically pleasing. My husband and I are looking for a new front door, so we'll have to remember to balance the glass.

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Katie Wilson link
7/20/2018 07:23:16 pm

I moved into my home a while ago and want to replace the front door with something more sophisticated. When I look for a service to replace it, I'll have to follow your advice about the door's exposure to the elements. Finding something that can withstand your climate easily would be really helpful in the long run.

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Nathan Rees link
7/26/2018 04:21:52 am

That is True i am totally agree with this article...thank you so much for sharing with us 1

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Yuppy Sher link
7/26/2018 07:55:38 am

thank you for your amazing tips ....it was very helpful tips about doors and decoration thanks for sharing this article

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Rosie Beckett link
8/6/2018 11:41:34 am

My husband and I are currently building a home and we are looking for a material to use for our doors, so I am glad that I found this article. I had no idea that there are so many benefits of aluminum like the fact that it is long-lasting and holds up better during extreme weather. This would be a huge benefit for us because we live in an area with harsh winters, so we need a durable door!

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Katie Wilson link
8/9/2018 10:02:39 pm

I agree that you need to consider how much glass you want on a door before choosing it. Balancing aesthetic and practical purposes would be really important in this. My husband and I are looking for a new door, so we'll have to consider how much glass we want.

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Sariah Meagle link
8/31/2018 02:16:00 am

Our front door's damaged because my brother bumped into it last night. According to this, we should find the perfect fit and consider the architecture of the house. Moreover, it's advisable to hire professionals for quality front door services.

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Hannah Neilson link
2/1/2019 07:49:18 pm

Thanks for the tip about considering the style of a door before you choose it. It would make sense to do as you say and consider the measurements. My husband and I are looking for a new door, so we'll have to consider the style first.

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Guy link
2/4/2019 04:10:47 pm

A beautiful door is one of those subtle necessities that can make a big difference in your home’s style.

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Boat Windows link
3/14/2019 04:07:31 am

Very informative article. Thanks a lot for sharing.


Reply
Daphne Gilpin link
3/18/2019 01:53:04 pm

I like how you said that your front door should compliment the architecture in our home. My husband and I have been thinking about getting a new front door soon. Your tips should help as we search for the perfect front door.

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Kate Welling link
3/20/2019 06:08:36 pm

You said we should consider the architecture. It makes sense that this would help with the overall feeling of the door. I'd imagine that it would be the same with commercial doors.

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Thomas Jameson link
6/18/2019 10:18:16 am

It's good to know that choosing an entry door with less glass can help with the security of your home. My wife and I have been looking for a way to improve the security of our home, and we need to replace our front door as well. We'll be looking further into getting a door with less glass installed since it meets all of our needs.

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Ron Booker link
2/24/2020 03:41:45 pm

It makes sense that one should inspect the door locks until finding the one that offers better security. My brother wants to replace his front door because someone broke into his house. I will pass him the tips so he can narrow down his options when buying the door.

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Eileen Benson link
3/5/2020 03:43:50 pm

It made sense when you said that the style of the front door should match the style of the rest of the house, whether it be contemporary or traditional. My husband and I want to have a new front door installed to make sure we're not losing the cool air indoors due to gaps and drafts. I'll keep your tips in mind to ensure we choose a door that'll be aesthetically pleasing after it's installed!

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Ron Booker link
4/27/2020 10:55:43 am

My cousin is getting his house built, so he is looking for different entry door options that will suit his home style. I liked how you said that one should consider a door that will withstand the weather conditions in the area. I will let hi know about this so he can be aware of the things he must look for when picking the door.

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Patrick Ross link
6/29/2020 10:21:42 am

I like what you said about making sure that your entry door compliments your home's architecture. My sister wants to make sure that her home looks nice in the coming weeks. I'll share this information with her so that she can look into her options for getting the right door to help with this.

Reply
Custom Overhead Doors Amarillo link
7/24/2020 12:05:51 am

For quality, affordable Amarillo garage door repair and installation, contact Integrity Overhead Doors today. Integrity Overhead Doors has been providing garage door services, including repairs and installations, to the Amarillo area for many years and in this time we have acquired a wonderful client base through word of mouth. We work on most makes and models of garage doors, and offer custom garage door installation as well. We strongly believe a job well done will go recognized and will then get carried on through word of mouth. Our technicians are all insured, certified, and bonded to work in the Amarillo area. If you need garage door repair or replacement give us a call today!

Reply
ellie davis link
8/6/2020 12:00:29 pm

It's interesting to know that a front door should match your home's architecture. My husband and I are thinking about replacing our front door, and we are looking for advice. I will let him know about your recommendations to choose the right front door for our house.

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rachel frampton link
8/26/2020 03:32:19 am

I'm planning to replace my entry door with a glass one, so the home's exterior design will be elevated. Well, I agree with you that the door's style must also complement with my house's architectural design. Anyways, I'm planning to have door lite frames installed in the door because this will keep it safe.

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Gillian Babcock link
8/28/2020 03:16:35 pm

You make a very interesting point in this article that metal doors have a reputation of toughness. My husband and I are thinking about upgrading our home security because our neighbor was robbed last month while on vacation, and getting a door that is difficult to break into would definitely give us peace of mind. Also, I appreciate that you mention the fact that metal doors are actually cheaper than other materials like fiberglass and wood.

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kate hansen link
9/22/2020 04:24:10 pm

It's good to know that the elements the door will be exposed to is something to consider. My husband and I are needing to get a new front door for our home because our current one is letting a draft in, and we want to make sure that we choose the right one for us. We'll make sure to keep these tips in mind as we search for a new front door to get installed for our home.

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Erika Brady link
9/23/2020 11:29:47 am

Thanks for the information on how there are different materials a front door can be made from, such as steel or fiberglass. When choosing one, it would probably be a good idea to consider which ones will be most secure for where you live and to also consider the style to ensure it fits the aesthetic of your home. This way, you can find out which material is able to provide you with the color and design you watch that will improve your home's curb appeal as well as its security.

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Bob link
12/18/2020 12:14:36 am

I like your door tips. Ironically, my garage door is my front door. I'll have to get a new track installed.

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Adam Golightly link
1/18/2021 04:52:51 pm

I can see how a business could really benefit from getting the right glass for their door in order to be more effective. Making sure that their front door is made of glass that won't break could allow them to be more durable. It was interesting to learn about how the doors can have some more privacy when they are textured, frosted, or opaque, and can protect from weather.

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Charlotte Fleet link
1/28/2021 03:56:17 pm

My husband and I are building a new home and we need to choose the perfect front door for it. Your comment about taking into consideration the amount of exposure your door will have to the elements and weather was super helpful. We will be sure to find a reputable service that provides reliable doors that fits our and is durable enough for the weather conditions.

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Rebecca Gardner link
2/11/2021 03:05:21 pm

I like what Hathaway says about how less glass and more privacy is the trend for front doors. My brother and his wife want to increase the curb appeal of their ranch-style home this summer by hiring a handyman to install a new front door. I'll share this info to help them research their options for door styles soon!

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Best Access Doors link
3/4/2021 08:25:34 am

The simplicity of your presentation is highly-motivating for learning. Please keep it up for your teeming followers.


Reply
Access Doors and Panels link
3/4/2021 08:40:47 am

The simplicity of your presentation is highly-motivating for learning. Please keep it up for your teeming followers.


Reply
Access Doors and Panels link
3/4/2021 08:41:11 am

The facts that have been discussed here are really important. Thank you so much for sharing a great post.


Reply
Kristofer Van Wagner link
3/22/2021 09:30:32 pm

I like that this post reminded us that when choosing a commercial glass door to be installed for our home, it is important for us to pay attention to the architecture. The other day my wife said that she would like to have our doors replaced. I will definitely choose a door that will complement the architecture of our home well.

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Sarah Smith link
4/14/2021 10:14:44 pm

I appreciate the information that the type and amount of glass will really affect the overall price of your door. I bought an office building so I could expand my therapy practice, but the front door and several of the windows are broken. I'll have to find a front door that is inviting and glass that is durable. Do you have any ideas?

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Locksmith Surrey link
4/25/2021 03:56:16 pm

I really appreciate you for publishing this blog here about how to pick the perfect front door; it’s really a helpful and very useful for us. This is really appreciated that you have presented this data over here, I love all the information shared. Great article!

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Chris Pederson link
5/7/2021 06:05:35 pm

I never thought about how choosing the glass in a door based on practical purposes. I guess the glass could be frosted on one side so I could hide my face while I see who is at my door. Or some sort of tinted glass.

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Taylor Hicken link
6/14/2021 12:03:50 am

You made a good point when you shared that it is important to balance the amount of glass to be included for your front door. My aunt just mentioned the other day that she is planning to improve the look of her house by changing the front door to a new one. I will suggest to her working with a reliable service that can offer the right one for her home.

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https://glassdaddybend.com/ link
3/29/2022 11:57:09 pm

Wonderful information I’ll check back for more info

Reply
Zachary Tomlinson link
5/16/2022 10:03:35 am

My friend talked about his plans of renovating his property to improve its curb appeal. I like your suggestion of using a door that fits the overall theme of his property. This way, his home would look uniform and unique. Perhaps finding a company that could provide this entry door option for him is a good idea.

Reply
Afton Jackson link
8/3/2022 03:00:49 am

Taking the weather into account is something I can see mattering a lot in the end. You wouldn't want to use a door that is made of a material that can erode easily after a few storms, especially since the snowy season is on its way. I'll ask an entry door expert about this so we can decide on what material to use for our renovation.

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Greg Rusch link
1/16/2023 10:10:05 am

Make sure that you research when it comes to picking out the perfect front door for your house. The front door is, of course, something most people are going to see anyways - so it's very important to pick the right one.

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Mia Evans link
1/31/2023 03:29:51 am

It really helped when you said that an appropriate door style should be considered to ensure that it will complement the architecture of the property. The house that I will inherit is quite traditional, because it was from my grandparents. And it is really old by now which is why I plan to get its parts replaced with new ones like getting entry doors, but they definitely have to match with the design of the whole house.

Reply



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