Whether you are building new, renovating or getting ready to put your home on the market, the design and décor of your home reflects a lot about you and your personality, style, and taste. Putting thought into your front door is important since it is the focal point to visitors and the gateway to your home. Besides being your homes first impression, your front door is also a source of security and protection from unwanted guests, as well as the weather.

When considering your perfect front door, the best way to start is by making a list of what is most important to you.

• What is the style of your home? 
• Is privacy a concern?
• Are you wanting more natural light in your entryway?
• What is the most important feature in your front door? Security? Appearance?
• What type of weather exposure with the door have?  Will it be exposed to direct sun or rain?
• Is your taste more traditional, artistic, trendy?

Let’s talk about these questions a little more.

When choosing a front door, you need to take into consideration the style of your home. Your front door should complement and fit in architecturally with the overall style of your home. Craftsman?  Traditional?  Cape Cod?  Mid-Century Modern?  Modern Farmhouse?  Mediterranean?  There are doors that fit all of these styles and more.

Deciding the amount and type of glass in your door is an important decision affecting not only privacy, but also security, natural light, and style.  Most glass for exterior doors nowadays is insulated (double pane) for energy efficiency, and all door glass (with a small handful of exceptions) is tempered for safety and security. If privacy is a concern, there are various types of pattern and textured glass that provide varying degrees of privacy and light transmission.  Additionally, you can choose the amount of glass, ranging from partial to full view glass, a single “lite” or multiple “lites”.  Many patio doors offer an option of mini-blinds inside the glass which allows you to raise, lower, and tilt at your convenience.

Considering what material you want your front door made of is an important factor when choosing and there are pros and cons to each type. Let’s look at the most popular choices:

• Fiberglass:  Fiberglass is a type of fiber-reinforced plastic using glass fibers.  Today’s fiberglass doors are offered in a smooth surface which is paintable or an embossed wood-grain texture that can be stained or painted. Advancements in current technology have allowed for extremely realistic woodgrains to be produced at a more reasonable price than in years past. Fiberglass is a great choice of material for a door that will be exposed to the elements, such as direct sun and rain.
  • Advantages – Durability, low maintenance, energy efficient, can be painted or stained, relatively inexpensive, technology advancements allow for realistic wood look if desired.
  • Disadvantages – certain limitations on styles and sizes offered.

• Wrought Iron (Steel):   Wrought Iron doors have become more popular in recent years.  They offer weather resistance comparable to fiberglass doors and have virtually unlimited possibilities when it comes to designs, as most are custom made per order.
  • Advantages – Durability, security, low maintenance, many customization options (design, size, color, etc).
  • Disadvantages – less energy efficient than wood or fiberglass, relatively expensive.

• Wood:  Wood is traditionally the most common material used in the construction of front entry doors.  The fact that wood doors can be painted or stained make it a versatile option, and the warmth and uniqueness of wood creates a timeless look.  Regardless of the style of home, there is sure to be a wood door available that will fit the architecture.
  • Advantages – natural and unique beauty, energy efficient, security, availability of custom options, can be painted or stained
  • Disadvantages – can require maintenance depending on weather exposure, prone to expansion and contraction with changed in weather

You’ll want to buy a front door that you like and that reflects your style. As with most home decorating styles, trends in front doors come and go. With so many options available for doors, it can be a little confusing when you are trying to narrow down your pick. Let’s talk a little about what constitutes a certain style of door and how it may fit with your home.

• Traditional: Also known as classic, these doors will typically feature raised panels, moldings, and glass inserts with either simple or decorative glass.  These are good choices for Edwardian, Victorian, Colonial, Cape Cod, and other traditional style homes.

• Craftsman: One of the most popular choices in front doors, Craftsman doors can be used in a wide variety of home styles from Craftsman or Bungalow to Prairie, Cottage and even some Ranch style homes. Featuring straight, simple lines and the use of local, natural materials, Craftsman doors typically feature one (or several) rectangular windows toward the top of the door and can utilize raised or flat panels.

• Modern:  Minimalist and clean, straight lines are found on modern style doors much like what Craftsman doors are known for. Less is more when it comes to this architectural look. Modern and Mid-Century Modern style homes make this type of door an obvious choice, but these doors will also work for an Art Deco, Frank Lloyd Wright, and Contemporary home. It is also not uncommon to add a modern flair to even a 1980’s Texas Ranch home.

• Rustic:  Rustic doors are a beautiful addition to wood, stone or brick exterior homes with country appeal. Characterized by a thickness and hardiness, rustic style doors exude old-world charm and are typically made from rustic woods such as Knotty Alder or Andean Walnut and often feature iron elements such as iron grills, clavos, and speakeasy doors.  Many choose to have wood doors hand distressed for a more aged look.

• Arched: Romantic and dramatic, arched doors are truly unique and combine old-world charm and vintage flair for a European look that evokes a worldly influence. While there are many types of arches, doors most commonly incorporate one of the three most common:  Round Arch (true radius), Segmental Arch (eyebrow shape), or Elliptical Arch.  Arched doors are great for Mediterranean, Tudor, Southwestern and Spanish style homes.

So, what exactly is trending currently in front door color choices? Let’s take a look at what some experts have to say.

Color trends from year to year across a dizzying array of industries tend to fall in line with whatever color New Jersey-based Pantone Corporation chooses at its Color of the Year. In 2018, Pantone announced that Ultra Violet was its choice, so it’s no surprise that variations of purple are at the top of the list for walls, bridal parties and, yes, even doors. Given that, a purple door is obviously a bold choice and if you aren’t into bold choices, there are plenty of other top colors for the year, including:

• Steel blue
• Black
• Crisp white
• Bright yellow
• Grey
• Cobalt blue
• Primrose yellow
• Duck egg blue

As far as stain colors go, darker seems to be trend, but stain colors depend largely on the house’s color scheme, exterior facade, and personal taste. At The Front Door Company we have a vast selection of door styles and finishes for you to see. Our team of professionals is on hand to help educate you and provide recommendations so you get exactly what you want. Our friendly and courteous staff begins this process by listening. You may find what you’re looking for in our showroom, website, or brochure and, if not, we can help in creating a custom door and bringing to life your ideas.  Contact us today to make your front door dreams into reality.