Front Entry Door Features

“A front entry door is a key element of a home’s exterior as it serves so many vital purposes,” said Lance Dahl, CR, Senior Sales Representative – Exterior Products with Callen “In addition to enhancing a home’s security and overall energy efficiency, it can also positively impact a home’s curb appeal. In fact, it’s one of the first exterior aspects visitors and potential homebuyers alike take note of when approaching a home.”

When it comes to door materials, fiberglass and steel are exceptionally popular options due to their incredible insulation properties and aesthetic appeal. “Beyond door materials lies a plethora of front door features, such as door style, hardware, glass options, and paint colors or stain finishes,” said Lance. “Front door features play such a major role in the aesthetic and feel of the entryway, and when they’re incorporated thoughtfully, can easily boost a home’s resale value.”

“When selecting the right style for your home’s front entry door, you can’t go wrong with basing your decision on your home’s specific architectural style,” Lance said. “In other words, you’ll ensure your new front entry door is a seamless addition to your home’s exterior.” For instance, if your home is classified as modern, a front entry door of that style would best suit your home. A front entry door that embraces simplicity, clean lines, a bold color, and broad glass panels with a basic grille pattern is considered modern. Similarly, a rustic farmhouse door would be most appropriate for a typical American farmhouse. “It’s worth mentioning that the traditional farmhouse front entry door has become more sophisticated over the years, and is now characterized by sleek architectural lines, neutral colors, and glass panels that allow plenty of sunlight to filter through,” he said. “Moreover, the traditional and widely popular European-inspired front entry door has many looks, but is best known for soft lines and intricate details. A timeless classic, traditional front doors can be solid or feature glass panels.”

Perhaps your home is unique and doesn’t fit into a cookie cutter architectural design type, or you have a specific design taste in mind. For instance, maybe your front door needs to be a certain shape. In this case, a customized door can be crafted to accommodate your personal situation.

A front door’s hardware is similar to a door’s style in the sense it can reference a home’s architecture for ideas. “As an example, if you select a farmhouse door for your American farmhouse home, then a rustic handle with a bronze finish is the clear choice,” said Lance. “More specifically, you can examine your home’s windows for clues. For instance, a front door with a handle sporting a chrome finish would look nice next to windows with chrome hardware and black trim.”

Glass is another front door feature that comes in various styles. “For those looking for more privacy, etched or frosted glass is the way to go,” Lance said. “In spite of its opaque nature, these types of windows still bring in plenty of natural light.” If seeking for a more traditional feel, a door that features four to six clear glass panels on the door itself as well as side glass for some extra flare is a possibility. Alternatively, if you prefer a more luxurious option, consider incorporating colored stain glass or decorative glass paneling into your home’s front door. “Remember, glass panels do not have to come in the traditional square or rectangular shape. They can be circular, half circles, and even diamond shaped. Glass features can really make a door pop, but it’s important to ensure the color, shape, and style of the ornate glass panels match well with the rest of the home’s exterior,” he said.

A front entry door can be painted or stained to match any color. With that said, it’s strongly advised to pick a paint or stain color that falls within the home’s existing color scheme. “It’s okay to select a bright or bold color as it’s actually encouraged to draw attention to your home’s front entry, but it’s more tasteful to select a color that also ties the rest of the home’s exterior together,” said Lance. As an example, a pastel green front door would work well on a white home with black shutters, especially when the green color is also incorporated into the surrounding porch décor. Other examples include a peach colored front door on a gray home, a pale-yellow colored front door on a brick home, or a front door with a rustic maple finish on a traditional home.

“A front entry door plays a pivotal role in a home’s exterior, so the design features chosen can have a major impact on not only a home’s aesthetic, but its resale value as well,” Lance said. “When done well, the features work together to create a beautiful, one-of-a-kind front entry door that you and your visitors are sure to enjoy for years to come.”