Choose the Perfect Front Door
You’ll be surprised to see how many people search for front door advice on Google! The home improvement industry is replete with front door options, and rightfully so. Every home needs a front door and new developments go up every day, creating a massive market for doors.
There is something for everyone’s taste, and it can be quite difficult to settle on one style that will be with your home, possibly forever. To make the decision process a little bit easier, we have put together a list of deciding factors you can take into account before settling on your decision.
The Entrance
Your entrance is a very big deal. From the curb, past your gate and into your home is where visitors get their first glimpse into your lifestyle. Your entrance is a focal point that, if designed well, can increase the value of your home too.
The variety of options for a front door are endless and the first thing to consider is whether or not you will be going single or double volume with your doors. Double volume doors or double doors are welcoming and give an opulent feel to any home. Single volume doors can also be beautifully designed. Adding lighting and selecting the right materials to complement your home’s façade looks stylish and contemporary.
The Right Material
Over the years, the production and installation of custom front doors have improved, offering a variety of finishes and security options. Wood, fibreglass, steel and glass are all popular options for homeowners.
Exterior doors made from wood are the most popular by far. This is because wood can be customised to any size, shape or style. On the downside, wood doors do not have a long lifespan like steel and fibreglass.
Fibreglass is durable and comes with a variety of options. From choosing the finish and colour to size and style, fibreglass has become a durable option that will last many years. Fibreglass doors are more expensive than wood, but will not have to be repaired or replaced as often as wood.
Steel is not an option we see often. According to the DIY Network, if you choose a steel front door, you are potentially choosing one of the safest options in terms of intrusions. One major con is if the door gets a dent, it can be hard to repair.
Glass is a great option in safe areas. Glass doors allow for a lot of natural light and give the home a light and airy feel. It is a way of bringing the outdoors in and looks great in any home. For obvious reasons, glass is not always a great idea when you live in an area with high crime rates. Glass is easy to break and intruders can gain entry into your home without much hassle.
Accents and Security
Accents are a great addition to any front door area. Well-thought-out lighting schemes, a mixture of different materials like wood and concrete, and even something as clever as trusses can make a stylish difference.
Another important factor of accents is security and how well it fuses with the overall look of the home. As the main entrance and exit to your home, secure doorways are the first line of defence and can either be a reliable barrier or a great vulnerability. Locking your door is the first security measure we all take in our homes, but most locks can forcibly be opened to gain access. Invest in electric locks and smart options for your front door security.