A big part of any home remodel is picking a replacement door because the front door can completely change the look of your house. Guests are going to spend a lot of time examining your front door because after they knock or ring the bell, they’ll be looking straight ahead at the door in anticipation of your arrival.
Your front door, therefore, can actually set the tone for your entire house, and the right door will make the difference between inviting people into your home and scaring them off. As such, choosing a front door is a big task and not something you should take lightly. To help you out, we’ve put together a brief guide to aid you in making the right decision for the front door to your home.
Choosing a Material
There are many different door materials to choose from, and the material you pick for your front door can completely change the look and feel of your home, and either improve or detract from its curb appeal. The major material choices you’ll have are:
- Wood doors will give your home a classic, natural, and rustic feel, making your home warm and welcoming.
- Fiberglass doors are durable and maintenance-free, and they typically mimic the look of wood, so you can get a rustic feel without the cost of solid wood.
- Steel doors are the most affordable option, and they’re also the best choice if security is your top concern. Steel doors can have a modern feel, but they can also have a classic look if there’s a lot of inlaid glass.
While all of these are great options, the important thing is that you pick a door that complements the style and design of your home, rather than picking something that will compete with the design because it’s inconsistent with the look of your house. For example, a steel door with ornate glasswork might be out of place in a rustic home with wood siding but could be perfect for a regal house with a stone exterior.
Picking a Color
After choosing a material for your replacement door, you’ll also have to select a color, which can be just as difficult. Your options here are essentially limitless, but you can break down your choices into categories that include Earth tones, bright colors, hot colors, and cold colors. Again, the style and design of your house should provide you with guidance here: a hot pink door might not work with the rustic log cabin, but it could be a perfect complement to a modern house with dark steel siding. Here are some classic style and color combinations:
- Colonial homes with cold colors, specifically greens, grays, and blues
- Mission-style homes with warm and vibrant colors, such as red and orange
- Ranch homes with warm Earth tones like brown, camel, and beige
Let Surrounding Styles Guide You
The style of the door itself is also something you’ll have to consider when picking a replacement door, and this is again something where you’ll have to take the style of your home and neighborhood into consideration to make an educated decision. Your major style choices include traditional, arched, modern, rustic, and craftsmen, and you should pick one that complements the existing exterior design of your home and fits with the overall style of the neighborhood.
The front door to your home is often the first thing that welcomes friends, family, and neighbors, so you want to make sure you make the right statement when choosing a replacement door for your entryway. If you want more information about your options, want to talk about style or material choices, or are ready to move ahead with a new door, contact John McCarter Construction today to schedule a free consultation.
