Your front door provides style and function and if you’re ready to replace it, but the purchase of a new one seems intimidating, here’s a quick breakdown of what to consider before it’s out with the old and in with the new.

Materials

The main considerations for the material choice for your front door are the climate you live in, the security level you require, and the maintenance and upkeep you have stamina for.

• Wood – beautiful and striking, wood doors are a good choice for those interested in making a real statement at the front of the house. Typically more expensive than other materials, wood doors range from solid wood to a more affordable option that is made up of an interior of engineered wood core, topped with wood veneer, then finished with wood exterior you want. Note that wood doors require regular maintenance and can succumb to weather of all kinds.
• Fiberglass – pretty maintenance free, fiberglass/composite doors are tough and good for harsh or humid climates. Often accompanied by long warranties, the surface of the door can imitate its wood partner pretty well and can be stained to match many color palettes.
• Steel – this is your best option for durability and safety, but it often comes in more utilitarian designs. They don’t expand or contract, so you won’t see warping with steel doors, even in a moisture-heavy area like ours. The cost is comparable with stock wood doors.
• Glass – especially great if you’d like lots of natural light and uninterrupted views in your home. Glass offers less privacy than some of the other alternative options but it’s relatively low maintenance. Consider textured, decorative, or etched versions to ensure light and improved privacy.

Style

While many styles are available these days, we’re going to summarize these four:

• Traditional wood panel – usually in solid wood, these are a good choice for traditional style homes but also provide a good option for a multitude of home styles.
• Flat, solid door – a minimalistic option, particularly good for mid-century modern or modern homes. The hardware choice is critical with this style as it’s the primary feature. These work well with a narrow sidelight to provide more light without giving up a ton of privacy.
• Contemporary wood-paneled – these can add detail and design to a door. We often suggest this style with a contemporary or modern home. Because it’s made of wood, it can deteriorate over time and will likely experience discoloration from the sun but will offer good home security.
• Craftsman – in our area there are no shortages of craftsman style homes. With these comes a distinctive door style with small windows up top and a small horizontal dentil trim board just below to identify this classic style.

Color

The sky is the limit when it comes to color on a front door. Just be aware that if you have an HOA, they may have restrictions on color choices just as they do regarding an exterior paint job. If you prefer a more traditional look, there are a multitude of stain colors that offer a rich, first impression to your family and friends.

Finally, look for options with Low-e glazing as it can improve your energy efficiency. Like any upgrade, we suggest you always work with the style of your home’s architecture so that it looks cohesive.