Say Yes to the Door

A front door is a lot like a wedding dress. How, you may ask? The dress says a lot about the bride wearing it and the door you choose communicates your personal tastes to your visitors.

The front door also plays a large role in enhancing curb appeal and protecting your home from strangers as well as the elements.

So how do you choose the perfect front door for your home? There are several factors that you should consider when deciding which type of door fits your home’s needs:

Material

The material you choose will affect the appearance, sturdiness, and maintenance of your door.

• Wood. Wooden doors come in many varieties, along with many different grain patterns. Higher quality wood doors are usually thicker, with more detailed moldings. Wood doors that are properly installed give off a classic, beautiful vibe. Generally, wood doors are more expensive than other materials, but the natural look can be worth the price.

• Steel. Steel is typically less pricey compared to other materials. Higher quality steel doors are also more resistant to weathering and denting. However, under direct sunlight, steel doors can become uncomfortably hot to touch. Steel doors are also usually less energy efficient, compared with other door materials, but you can request your contractor to install a steel door with an insulated core for improved energy efficiency.

• Fiberglass. Fiberglass doors are very resilient and low-maintenance, and can be made to look and feel very similar to a wood door. They are energy-efficient and won’t rust or dent.  There is a wide range of prices for fiberglass doors depending on the hardware, glazing and decorative elements selected. In addition, fiberglass doors usually have the longest warranties.

Color

From standard black to colonial red to neon green, your color options for your front door are endless. Here are some tips to help you decide on what color works best:

• Coordinate. Coordinate with the colors of the exterior of your home. Take into consideration the color of the trim and the siding surrounding the door to prevent the hues from clashing when deciding on the color of your door.

• Be Conservative. If you will be selling your home in the near future, choose a conservative color like a hunter green or black. As much as you may love having a hot pink door, it could turn off potential buyers from even considering your home, lowering your house value.

• Contrast. Consider using a contrasting color for your door to help it stand out from the rest of the house. Using contrasting colors, which can be found by looking at the colors opposite each other on a color wheel, can give your door the pop of color needed to welcome you and your guests into your home.

Decorative Elements

In addition to the functional elements of the door, you can choose to further accessorize your front door with other ornamental elements, such as:

• Sidelights. Sidelights, which are panes of glass set alongside doors and windows, can allow natural light to enter your home. Sidelights can be used to frame and complement your door selection.

• Clavos. Clavos are spikes that are typically found on gates and doors. They can be used to add a touch of rustic appeal to a front door and tend to complement traditional-style homes as opposed to the more contemporary houses.

• Decorative glass. You can incorporate beautiful glass elements into your door design for an elegant, tasteful look. Decorative glass comes in a wide variety of patterns, colors, textures, and styles.

Picking the perfect front door for your home doesn’t have to be stressful. Discuss your preferences with a home improvement contractor from a reputable company like AROCON Roofing and Construction to bring your vision for your home to reality.