A front door replacement is an investment in your home. Whether your primary reason for new exterior doors is security or to improve curb appeal, we have some tips to help you find one that compliments your home. You’ll notice as you keep reading that these tips focus solely on the door’s appearance as we’re assuming you’ve already chosen the material. (If you haven’t, read this blog first) Do keep in mind that not all options discussed are available in all materials.
Compliment Your Home’s Style
This is perhaps the most important piece of advice we give homeowners. If you have a historic home, your door should compliment it and fit with the rest of the home’s style. Just as an ultra-modern home needs a door that looks modern which often means glass panes without grilles or decorations in the glass. There are three general categories most exterior doors fit into:
- Traditional – Traditional style doors work for just about any front door replacement except on ultra-modern style homes. Styles in this category include craftsman, carved wood, and panel doors.
- Rustic – Surprisingly many modern homes have rustic doors which include barn door style and wood paneled.
- Modern – These doors generally include farmhouse style, retro/mid-century style, and single or double sidelight doors. Some doors fall into both the traditional and modern category.
Finish
Although the door material partially dictates the finish, no matter what material you choose, you have options. Even wood doors that you plan on staining need a color choice. Keep in mind that different wood species take stain differently so be sure to share what color you want your door to look rather than just choosing a stain color based on how it looks on paper.
If you’re choosing to paint your front door, you want a color that compliments your home. In historical neighborhoods, it may also need to meet certain architectural standards. However, exterior doors don’t have to match the windows or garage door color. Many homeowners take a front door replacement as an opportunity to draw attention to their entry with a bold contrasting color. Others choose a color similar to the trim or siding. There’s no right or wrong, but here’s a link to an article with good suggestions.
Window or Not
Perhaps the biggest decisions homeowners make about their front door replacement is whether to include a window or not. There are advantages and disadvantages. If security is your primary reason for replacing exterior doors, you probably shouldn’t choose a window. However, there are many styles of entry doors with windows that are not near the lock, making it slightly harder for someone to break the window and unlock the door. We love that windows allow natural light in and you to see who is at your door without opening it. If you decide a window is right for your front door replacement, you’ll need to choose the size, shape, position, and whether you want clear glass or another type.
Are You Ready for a Front Door Replacement?
Blair Windows & Doors offers front door replacement as well as many other styles of exterior doors and windows. We will help you choose the right style, finish and hardware for your budget and home. Call us today for your free in-home consultation at (317) 356-4666 or fill out our contact form today.
