Below, we reveal what to look for and some pitfalls to avoid when choosing front doors. Please read on for some time-saving advice and tips.
Selecting a style
The front door of your home is the first thing your visitors notice. That’s why it is essential to ensure the style suits the architecture. French doors, for instance, will not blend in with an ultra-modern building. Equally, a glass-paneled front door will likely look out of place in an older, traditional property.
Often overlooked, a well-maintained entrance door can save you money and add value to a building. However, before selecting the detailed aesthetics and color, we suggest you decide what hardware you want on your door: handle(s), security deadlocks and perhaps a knocker or letterbox.
Next, considering the choice of materials, sizes and colors, take some time to find a combination that works well with your interior design. For instance, most people would avoid a large metal door with spikes leading to a hall or living area with sleek leather furniture.
Choosing wood stain or paint color
If you are thinking along the lines of one of these wood front doors, you have a choice of color finishes. Alternatively, if you decide to paint, what color suits the entranceway and your preferences – a bright tone or a more neutral shade?
Assuming it looks good, you might want to be bold with door colors! Look and see what doors are on other houses around the neighborhood. How do they look from the outside?
Protecting and securing your property
Front doors are something every visitor notices when leaving, too. Thus, we expect a lot from them – not only from an aesthetic standpoint but also for security.
An excellent front door will protect you and your family from intruders. When checking the detail, consider security features and whether the locks are practical and easy to use.
The right door will also keep your living space comfortable throughout the year, insulating against cold drafts during the winter and heat accumulation in the summer. Make sure it’s well-fitting and fully functional (see more here).
In particular, check the seals around the door edges if you value acoustic protection and want to avoid dirt or dust penetrating onto the floor inside.
Enjoying the benefits
New doors fit and insulate better than their older counterparts, so the replacement cost is usually a good investment. Apart from enhancing the appearance of your home and adding appeal, you’ll benefit from lower heating or air conditioning bills.
In the US, the Energy Star label helps identify energy-efficient products. Also, the National Fenestration Rating Council (NFRC) designation enables you to compare different doors’ energy insulation and thermal properties.
The detailed information includes each door model’s solar heat gain coefficient (SHGC) and U-factor(*1).
other related articles of interest:
Summary
When designing your home, remember that no matter how beautiful or practical the kitchen, living room or bathroom is, people see the front door first!
Finally, whether planning a new home or renovating an existing one, it is wise to opt for the most energy-efficient front door possible. When looking at the energy efficiency credentials, bear in mind the performance ratings, the local climate and the building’s design.
Find Door Services Doors Sliding Doors Garage Doors Hardware, Locks top-rated, pre-screened local contractors FREE: download contractor selection enter zip code – powered by HomeAdvisor ™
Image credit: don’t forget your door by envato.com
end of post … please share it!
| more photo remodeling |
Jump Over to Our Photo Analysis Center for Ideas on
"Renovating Home"
|__________________________________________________________|
home remodeling surprise
find out where it might go - new win
Helpful article? Leave us a quick comment below.
And please share this article within your social networks.
