Front Doors: Make a Great First Impression

Replacing your front door is one of the best investments you can make in your home. In fact, it’s generally agreed that a new steel front door is the number one source of remodelling return on investment, with fiberglass front doors following closely behind. (Steel doors give the best ROI due to their low price point.)

As far as curb appeal goes, front doors are super important because they’re the focal point of your home’s exterior. In order to make the most of your front door keep the following in mind.

Front Door Colors

There are a lot of people out there who will tell you one color is better than another when it comes to front doors, but when it comes to choosing a color the most important thing to consider is how well it will look with the other tones and architecture on the rest of the home’s exterior. You want a color that will work with the brick or siding, and if you have shutters or other accents you want to make sure to coordinate with those.

Door Lites and Window Panels

Window panels and door lites are great for a couple of reasons. They look good from a curb appeal perspective and they allow extra light into your home. There are tons of different styles available, from incredibly simple to highly decorative. Like with door colors, choose something that suits both the style of the door, and the style of the home. When replacing a door you can opt for one that already has glass inserts, but if you have a solid door you can install the insert yourself. Check out my article, How to Install a Door Lite for details.

House Numbers and Decorative Hardware

Don’t neglect the importance of clear, easy-to-read house numbers. They need to be visible from the street and they should be in a font that makes them clear and legible (this is for safety more than anything else). When choosing house numbers you also want something that reflects the style and era of the house. You don’t need to go crazy and spend a fortune, but don’t skimp out on cheap, stick-on versions. Additional hardware including door knockers and doorknobs should also reflect the overall style and quality of your home. If people judge a book by it’s cover, they’re judging your home by it’s front exterior so it’s worth updating these items if they’re outdated.

Safety

Any exterior door to your home should have a secure keyed lock with a deadbolt. Door hardware is not a place to cut corners – make sure you have a strong, quality product. Usually these locks start around $50. Also, all exterior doors should open in. If a door swings out, anyone could pop the hinges off to remove the door.

Insulation

Finally, quality front doors are also extremely important because they can provide insulation and draft protection. When it comes to heating and cooling your home a solid front door with tight seals can help keep your costs down.

front-doorsPhotos via Taymor

 

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