If there is a focal point to a home, it would very likely be your front door. Your home’s entrance is what guests and passersby would be drawn to first, so it pays to make an indelible impression. The best way to achieve that is to be able to match your entry door’s design to the specific architectural style that your home features.
Some homeowners usually just think about exterior doors in passing and leave the decision-making to their contactors, but if you want to your home to look its very best, then you should very much consider the design of your entry door. Doing so will allow you to give your visitors the best possible impression of who you are. Here are a few tips to help you decide.
Some homeowners usually just think about exterior doors in passing and leave the decision-making to their contactors, but if you want to your home to look its very best, then you should very much consider the design of your entry door. Doing so will allow you to give your visitors the best possible impression of who you are. Here are a few tips to help you decide.
Choose the type of door first, as there are many to choose from, including the following:
· Single Door
· Single Door with one or two sidelights
· Double Door
· Double Door with one or two sidelights
· Single Door with transom and sidelights
Keep in mind that you need to stick with a design that works well with the door type you’ve opted to go with, as well as the architectural style of your entire home.
Architectural Styles
Here are some of the common home styles and the corresponding door designs that match them.
· Traditional–Simplicity is key in traditional-style homes. Cape Cod, Colonial, and Georgian are all examples of traditional architectural styles. A traditional home is usually constructed using stone, brick, or stucco, and has symmetrically-placed windows.Exterior doors for traditional homes are usually made of wood or fiber glass.
· Craftsman–Think of homes with porches and thick square columns, low-slope roofs, and stained glass windows.Doors are usually made of wood,with decorative glass or divided light window accents placed on top.
· Contemporary– Is all about what is current, and is presently represented by linear and asymmetrical designs. Homes with multi-roof levels and plain windows are typical of this style.
Doors can be French doors, or those with as little adornment as possible. It is ideal to have a door with a warm wood finish. Handles should have metallic finishes.
Doors can be French doors, or those with as little adornment as possible. It is ideal to have a door with a warm wood finish. Handles should have metallic finishes.
· Mediterranean/Spanish– Balconies, arched windows and doorways, and terracotta roofs represent this particular style.Exterior doors are usually grandiose in design, so double doors are common. The colors are usually dark, and matched with intricate hardware.
· Victorian– Victorian homes are defined by bay windows, clapboard siding, steep roofs, and ornate windows. Doors for Victorian homes usually have stained glass effects or decorative glass.
While these are all conventional pairings, you can also keep in mind the following rules of thumb when choosing doors:
ü Steel doors are great for homes in the cities for better protection.
ü Glass panels in doors help illuminate the entryway, while solid doors should be your choice if you want to keep out the sunlight.
ü For darker walls, choose lighter-colored entry doors. For neutral colored walls, choose bright colors.
ü Don’t be afraid to play with proportion, especially when it comes to contemporary designs.
ü Choose an exterior accent color in your home and make that the color of your door.
ü Take note of symmetry and scale. Look at how evenly spaced your windows are to each other and decide where it will be best to place your door, or how big or small it should be.
Author Bio:
Jenica Lee is SouthwestExteriors’ Internet Marketing Coordinator. She has experience in marketing for non-profits and loves to create meaningful buzz for her clients, as well as to inspire people. Her passion is to discover how people are wired and communicate with them accordingly. Another passion is exploring the outdoors, which includes hiking, camping, biking, running, and backpacking. The oldest of six siblings, she also has a knack for planning and organizing.
