The first thing people see when they come to your house is your front door. Don’t neglect this aspect of your home’s first impression! Think of how you feel coming home after a long day; does your front door make you feel welcomed? Having a damaged, improperly installed, or worn-out front door can also be a source of energy waste. Once the seal of a door is broken, air escapes both out of and into, cracks around the door. Do you really want to heat and cool the outdoors? Or invite insect pests into your home? How do you select a front door when there are so many styles, options, and materials to choose from?

First of all, consider your home’s architecture. Putting an industrial-style door onto a traditional-style house could create a disjointed feel. How much space do you have? If you want side windows, you'll need to confirm you have space to accommodate them and center your door. Symmetry in front entrances is appealing to the eye. A front doorway needs to look proportional both to the home and the porch if there is one. Is the door protected beneath an overhang or a porch or exposed to the elements? These questions should factor into your decision-making process. Once you decide the type of door there are a variety of materials to choose from.

Material Options for Your Front Door

Steel- Usually the most economical option, but it can be dented if you’re not careful (although it can be repaired in most cases). Also, may not be very energy efficient due to conducting heat and can be susceptible to rusting.

Fiberglass- Versatile looks, weather-resistant, and energy-efficient but more expensive than some options.

Wood- Customizable with windows, has a classic look but does not stand up as well to the elements as well as fiberglass or steel (can swell and buckle with moisture and needs more maintenance).

Glass- Lets in a lot of light but cuts down on privacy and efficiency.

Choose a Welcoming and Cohesive Paint Color 

When it comes to selecting a color for your front door, there are several details to consider. What color is your home and are you planning on keeping your house the same color, or a similar shade, in the near future? Consider the color on the siding or brick, shutters, trim, and roof of your home. Most people want to create a nice contrast. A bright pop of color at the front door tends to make people feel welcome. You may even want to consider the landscaping near the entrance of your home. If you have red flowering plants nearby, would it be too monotone to have a red front door as well? If you get a lot of sun exposure at your home’s entrance you may not want to choose a dark color for your front door. 

Hardware and Tech

The hardware you select for your front door needs to have aesthetic cohesiveness with the rest of the entryway. Also, keep the security features of your hardware in mind. Once more, your choice should accentuate your home’s style. There are many metal finishes to choose from, such as brass, oil rubbed bronze, nickel, stainless steel, bronze, or wrought iron.

Of course, the hardware and the door should be complementary to one another. Deadbolts are safe locks, but now you can choose electronic keypad locks. Keypad locks are perfect for allowing family members access to your home when you’re not there. The fear of losing your keys and getting locked out of your house will also be a thing of the past.

If you invest in the newest smart technology for your front entrance you can use Bluetooth recognition. Imagine walking up to your home and just opening your front door with no key required? There is even an option for programming codes to work during certain hours. You can even have your system email you when someone accesses your home.  

Whether you can’t wait to select your new front door, or you’re overwhelmed at choosing from so many options, ELM Construction is here for you! Contact us today for a free estimate on your next remodeling project: Contact Us